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*Treatment results may vary
Day 6 post-op pics
These were taken on day 6. Not sure if I saw much of a difference but I was still pretty swollen. will take more pics next week with the same sports bra on - it would have probably been pretty painful trying to get it on and off. Top pics are the before and bottom ones are the after pics.
Today is day 8, I've been feeling pretty good, The swelling is going away nicely I think although the bruises are still visible. I've resumed to pretty much everyday activities with some soreness (and pain if I happen to hit something with the back of my arms). I ordered a second compression garment and it's sooooooo much better than the original one. It's the same brand - design Veronique, pretty much the same style but shorter sleeves, coming up just above the elbows. Going to look for another garment that is a bodysuit, because both of these garments end in the middle of my midsection and so now I constantly have a huge muffin top because the band digs into it. With the holidays coming up I'm going to have to put on some dresses to certain events and these compressions garments just would never work. I'm thinking of one from Marena - has anyone worn this brand and like it? Please Lmk! Thanks :)
Today is day 8, I've been feeling pretty good, The swelling is going away nicely I think although the bruises are still visible. I've resumed to pretty much everyday activities with some soreness (and pain if I happen to hit something with the back of my arms). I ordered a second compression garment and it's sooooooo much better than the original one. It's the same brand - design Veronique, pretty much the same style but shorter sleeves, coming up just above the elbows. Going to look for another garment that is a bodysuit, because both of these garments end in the middle of my midsection and so now I constantly have a huge muffin top because the band digs into it. With the holidays coming up I'm going to have to put on some dresses to certain events and these compressions garments just would never work. I'm thinking of one from Marena - has anyone worn this brand and like it? Please Lmk! Thanks :)
I have had big arms my entire life. My upper body...
I have had big arms my entire life. My upper body is always 2 sizes larger than my lower body because no matter what i did, my lower body would always lose weight/firm up first. I played sports all throughout high school, and have maintained a somewhat regular workout schedule throughout my entire adult life. Even when I was at my fittest/skinniest, my arms/armpit area did not reflect that. They were always saggy and batwing-like, and made me look bigger than I was. I always had problems buying clothes because nothing (especially dresses) ever fit me right unless the fabric was extremely stretchy (since my stomach is relatively flat - when i suck in lol). Anyway i can go on and on about how inconvenient it has been but I'll stop here.
In 2008, I was still young and stupid and was referred to a doctor by my esthetician at the spa i frequented. I guess "smart lip" was the hot new thing so I got talked into getting it done. I had my upper arms, axilla (armpit/bra fat) and my stomach (unnecessary but I wanted better definition) done. It cost me over $5000 at the time and I must say - it was a complete sham. The most important thing I think was that the "doctor" was not a plastic surgeon. He was just some random MD. What can i say - i was young and stupid and completely ignorant to this world, and didn't do enough research other than looking up some youtube videos online. I also didn't talk to anyone about it because I didn't want anyone to know. Anyway, I don't want to say that smart lipo or vaser lipo didn't work - because i'm sure if I had gone with an actual plastic surgeon, the results would likely have been very different. i don't think anything was different in my arms, but now my stomach looks bumpy and weird.
Anyhow, I've been thinking about getting my arms redone for the last couple of years but just couldn't make up my mind. I've since met a couple of people who have had things done, and so I finally decided to get some consults. I got 3 consults in total - all board certified plastic surgeons. The first 2 quoted me $1500 for their services (just upper arms) and the third surgeon quoted me $2500, and $2000 for each additional part. In the end, I went with the third surgeon Dr. G because after extensive research online, I felt like he would be the expert in this. It appears that he is all things cosmetic, whereas the other surgeons specialized in areas such as hand and pediatric reconstructive surgery etc. I felt like even though Dr. G was the most expensive, cosmetic plastic surgery is his specialty - and I know someone who was very pleased with a tummy tuck done by him, so there's that. He was also the only one who insisted that I will need to wear a compression garment whereas the other 2 surgeons said it wasn't necessary (i thought that was weird).
Getting cleared by my family physician was a challenge - turns out I had severe year-round allergies that was giving me post nasal drip that caused a wheezing sound in my lungs. After numerous specialists and testings, i was finally cleared. I was nervous and still unsure, but by 10 days out, i had paid for everything already, so there was no turning back (unless i want to lose a lot of money...)
The entire experience at the surgery center was pleasant, except for when the anesthesiologist poked my foot 20 times trying to get the IV to one of my very very tiny veins. Good thing the doctor showed up and told him that it was ok to go through my hand even though they're working on my arms. I don't remember much after being rolled into the operating room. Next thing I know I was being woken up by a nurse. I was groggy and don't remember much of what happened except she wheeled me into a different area. It was loud and busy with lots of people walking around and talking. My friend was allowed to come and sit by me while I recovered for a while more. I felt EXTREMELY nauseated so they gave me some meds for it, and I basically just sat there feeling like I drank a bottle of vodka plus a bottle of tequila the night before and had vomited all night. My head was killing me and the entire room was spinning. The nurse gave me some ginger ale and crackers but i could barely drink anything. Anyway I felt that the nurse rushed my friend to take me out of there a little too soon because I was still really nauseated, but I guess I had already stayed over the original "scheduled time"....?
I felt pretty sick the entire drive home, but did ok. My friend helped me onto the couch and there I stayed for about an hour before I got super hungry. I had some low sodium chicken soup and crackers with lots of water. I was able to get up very slowly to go to the bathroom...etc. I felt pretty good, to be honest. The 2 days i was pretty swollen and the compression garment was kind of killing me. I didn't readjust the notches because I thought it would be best to stay with the tightness that the doctor put me in. I took all my meds on time plus arnica, bromelain, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc. I also stocked up on fresh pineapples.
Day 4 - I was still taking my pain meds but I was starting to feel better. I even went grocery shopping with my bf at night. While we were out, I had a chicken caesar wrap with whole wheat wrap and dressing on the side for dinner, which I didn't think was a big deal, but also a chicken noodle soup which i think possibly had WAY TOO MUCH sodium in it. Cause on day 5, I blew up and swelled up again like crazy. I didn't recognize my own hands. Anyway, I knew to avoid high sodium foods but didn't really think it through cause the sign said "homemade"! oh well, lesson learned.
Today is Day 6, and I woke up with regular hands and the garment is not as uncomfortable as it was. I think that my surgeon should have offered a stage 1 and stage 2 garment, based on what I've read recently. But in any case, I think i will look into getting a second one that is a bit more comfortable. I have the design veronique one which is very supportive/tightening, but the style is a long sleeve one with this elbow patch and since I have longer arms, the stitched seams sit in my elbow crease and is rubbing it RAW. I'm considering getting a Marena one that has decent reviews, or a different DV one where the sleeve ends at the elbow, but I will wait until tomorrow morning after my one week post-op to order.
One side effect of the painkillers was SERIOUS CONSTIPATION!!! I was prepared for pretty much everything else except for that - so get some miralax or something when you pick up your meds from the pharmacy! I also got some benadryl and hydrocortisone cream to help with the itching from the garment and bandages. I also got arnica gel to help with the bruising, although I can't tell if it's helping at all since I have never used any of this stuff before. But, given that the surgery was last Friday and today is Wednesday and I'm already feeling MUCH better, I'm going to have to say that all of them helped in some way. I guess I'll have to see what the doctor says tomorrow at the one week post-op regarding my recovery!
I forgot to take measurements before but I did get some photos. will post before and after pics - as soon as I take some after pics! I will also rate Dr. G and provide his actual info at a later date.
In 2008, I was still young and stupid and was referred to a doctor by my esthetician at the spa i frequented. I guess "smart lip" was the hot new thing so I got talked into getting it done. I had my upper arms, axilla (armpit/bra fat) and my stomach (unnecessary but I wanted better definition) done. It cost me over $5000 at the time and I must say - it was a complete sham. The most important thing I think was that the "doctor" was not a plastic surgeon. He was just some random MD. What can i say - i was young and stupid and completely ignorant to this world, and didn't do enough research other than looking up some youtube videos online. I also didn't talk to anyone about it because I didn't want anyone to know. Anyway, I don't want to say that smart lipo or vaser lipo didn't work - because i'm sure if I had gone with an actual plastic surgeon, the results would likely have been very different. i don't think anything was different in my arms, but now my stomach looks bumpy and weird.
Anyhow, I've been thinking about getting my arms redone for the last couple of years but just couldn't make up my mind. I've since met a couple of people who have had things done, and so I finally decided to get some consults. I got 3 consults in total - all board certified plastic surgeons. The first 2 quoted me $1500 for their services (just upper arms) and the third surgeon quoted me $2500, and $2000 for each additional part. In the end, I went with the third surgeon Dr. G because after extensive research online, I felt like he would be the expert in this. It appears that he is all things cosmetic, whereas the other surgeons specialized in areas such as hand and pediatric reconstructive surgery etc. I felt like even though Dr. G was the most expensive, cosmetic plastic surgery is his specialty - and I know someone who was very pleased with a tummy tuck done by him, so there's that. He was also the only one who insisted that I will need to wear a compression garment whereas the other 2 surgeons said it wasn't necessary (i thought that was weird).
Getting cleared by my family physician was a challenge - turns out I had severe year-round allergies that was giving me post nasal drip that caused a wheezing sound in my lungs. After numerous specialists and testings, i was finally cleared. I was nervous and still unsure, but by 10 days out, i had paid for everything already, so there was no turning back (unless i want to lose a lot of money...)
The entire experience at the surgery center was pleasant, except for when the anesthesiologist poked my foot 20 times trying to get the IV to one of my very very tiny veins. Good thing the doctor showed up and told him that it was ok to go through my hand even though they're working on my arms. I don't remember much after being rolled into the operating room. Next thing I know I was being woken up by a nurse. I was groggy and don't remember much of what happened except she wheeled me into a different area. It was loud and busy with lots of people walking around and talking. My friend was allowed to come and sit by me while I recovered for a while more. I felt EXTREMELY nauseated so they gave me some meds for it, and I basically just sat there feeling like I drank a bottle of vodka plus a bottle of tequila the night before and had vomited all night. My head was killing me and the entire room was spinning. The nurse gave me some ginger ale and crackers but i could barely drink anything. Anyway I felt that the nurse rushed my friend to take me out of there a little too soon because I was still really nauseated, but I guess I had already stayed over the original "scheduled time"....?
I felt pretty sick the entire drive home, but did ok. My friend helped me onto the couch and there I stayed for about an hour before I got super hungry. I had some low sodium chicken soup and crackers with lots of water. I was able to get up very slowly to go to the bathroom...etc. I felt pretty good, to be honest. The 2 days i was pretty swollen and the compression garment was kind of killing me. I didn't readjust the notches because I thought it would be best to stay with the tightness that the doctor put me in. I took all my meds on time plus arnica, bromelain, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc. I also stocked up on fresh pineapples.
Day 4 - I was still taking my pain meds but I was starting to feel better. I even went grocery shopping with my bf at night. While we were out, I had a chicken caesar wrap with whole wheat wrap and dressing on the side for dinner, which I didn't think was a big deal, but also a chicken noodle soup which i think possibly had WAY TOO MUCH sodium in it. Cause on day 5, I blew up and swelled up again like crazy. I didn't recognize my own hands. Anyway, I knew to avoid high sodium foods but didn't really think it through cause the sign said "homemade"! oh well, lesson learned.
Today is Day 6, and I woke up with regular hands and the garment is not as uncomfortable as it was. I think that my surgeon should have offered a stage 1 and stage 2 garment, based on what I've read recently. But in any case, I think i will look into getting a second one that is a bit more comfortable. I have the design veronique one which is very supportive/tightening, but the style is a long sleeve one with this elbow patch and since I have longer arms, the stitched seams sit in my elbow crease and is rubbing it RAW. I'm considering getting a Marena one that has decent reviews, or a different DV one where the sleeve ends at the elbow, but I will wait until tomorrow morning after my one week post-op to order.
One side effect of the painkillers was SERIOUS CONSTIPATION!!! I was prepared for pretty much everything else except for that - so get some miralax or something when you pick up your meds from the pharmacy! I also got some benadryl and hydrocortisone cream to help with the itching from the garment and bandages. I also got arnica gel to help with the bruising, although I can't tell if it's helping at all since I have never used any of this stuff before. But, given that the surgery was last Friday and today is Wednesday and I'm already feeling MUCH better, I'm going to have to say that all of them helped in some way. I guess I'll have to see what the doctor says tomorrow at the one week post-op regarding my recovery!
I forgot to take measurements before but I did get some photos. will post before and after pics - as soon as I take some after pics! I will also rate Dr. G and provide his actual info at a later date.