Breast Lift, Lipo to Bra Rolls and Upper Arms - Culver City, CA

I am approximately one week post op. I was off meds by the 3rd day, I didn't suffer from the extreme nausea after these procedures because the anesthesiologist added something to my sedation meds to help ward off nausea, God bless him.

My reaction to my first look at my breasts at three days was almost near panic. I expected the Frankenstein appearance but not the shape. They looked like everything I hope wouldn't happen: lopsided, asymmetrical with cockeyed areolas, but, by golly they were high and mighty. I told myself that there was no way my doctor saw them in this state on the table, decided it was all good and wrapped them up! He'd never do that nor is he capable of such creations. I changed the dressing and decided to chill. My pain meds must have fed my paranoia because a few minutes later I was writing an email and sending pictures to him. He calmed my nerves in a reply email within 20 minutes by confirming my confident thoughts of his skills instead of feeding my fears. As the swelling goes down things are much improved.

Dr. Hughes liposuctioned the heck out of my arms, as I hoped he would! There is some bruising and they were very tender and sore for the first five days. My bra rolls were sore and noticeably decreased as well, even with all the swelling. By the sixth day I was able to slip on blouses two sizes smaller with my arms still thickly bandaged due to the thinning of my arms and back. I cried and laughed like a nut case.

I have lost seven pounds thus far. My bras fit on the last hook, my breasts fit comfortably in the cups. The bra the doctor put me in is already too big. I have permission to wear my regular bras as long they are not too tight and there is no underwire. I didn't want to lose much volume, I just wanted them higher and tighter. Although the swelling is rapidly decreasing in the areas I had procedures, my tummy experienced some swelling. I had to start wearing my TT binder again and the flatness has returned.

I will do a review on my doctor, Dr. Kenneth Hughes, my wonderful surgical experience with him and his staff soon.

Ten days post op and the swelling is steadily decreasing as is the pain. My arms have a dull ache at times accompanied by swelling depending on my activity, there are still some tender areas. My breasts are quietly healing. Olga, my nurse, didn't remove the stiches in my breasts at my follow up, she will remove them at my appointment 3 weeks post op. The stiches at the lipo incisions were removed and have closed.

It feels great to have my upper half match my awesome TT. I am almost bikini ready! Dr. Kenneth Hughes managed to do such a beautiful job, especially with a girl my size. I am still almost 200 lbs but shrinking. I'm depending 95% on diet and nutrition for weight loss because I want to conserve most of my body's energy for healing. I've lost approximately 40lbs since my first round of procedures.

There are a couple of TT pictures (2 month post op) added along with my 10 day post op photos to show case Dr. Hughes and my efforts to restore my physique.

My post ops look like some people's pre op photos, LOL, but I have great results for someone my size. My body is a great work in progress and I have realistic expectations. I may need a little nip and tucking at the end of my makeover journey. I reasoned that I'd have a better result working in stages and the less skin he had to work with at one time the better. Having DR. Hughes to do the legal/ safe maximum amount of liposuction concentrated in only 1 or 2 areas results in a bigger impact to the area.

I'm either a genius, cheap or ghetto fabulous for this DIY project, most likely all of them, but it's working for me.
Wrapping my arm with the ace bandages the medical center provided is an awkward task. Arm compression garments are helpful but over priced in my opinion.

While I was in the 99 cent store I came across knee high socks for elementary school sized kids. I was stuck by an idea. Remember your Flash Dance or grunge moments back in the day? If you're a dancer you do this no matter what the era, put leg warmers on your arms or cut the toe out of long socks and wear them on your arms.

I pulled a pair over my arms, perfect fit, length and compression! I bought a few pairs, cut the toes off and voila! I tuck the cut ends under, the heel part is great the elbow bend, they come all the way to my shoulder.

So comfortable.