POSTED UNDER Body Lift REVIEWS
Drainless Body Lift & Arm Lift....
ORIGINAL POST
Drainless Body Lift & Arm Lift....
DyanBDecember 11, 2019
WORTH IT
Last year was my first experience with plastic surgery, had a face lift, neck lift, lower eye, some fat grafting and had my forehead shortened. Was totally thrilled with the results and have spent the past year looking forward to taking care of the rest of me.
I once weighed over 220, how much I don't know because I refused to get on a scale for a number of years. I started walking, changed by diet and eventually started running. Today I run marathons and weight 118. Problem has been all the extra skin, been years since I was willing to look an a mirror or walk out of the house in a short sleeve shirt. Hated seeing the skin wrinkling on my arms and hanging around my waist and sagging butt. The surgeon that had done my face lift moved and his office referred me to Dr Mariotti, and I couldn't be more pleased with the entire experience and especially the results!
Dr. Mariotti carefully explained my options, showed me the results to expect from each...it was the first time in a couple of years I'd looked at myself undressed in a mirror and it was not easy for me...but he was very matter of fact and reassuring and quickly made me comfortable. After discussing options I decided to go with the Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift) to address as much of the things I hate as possible. Arm lift, discussed the scar placement. He warned me the lift was going to leave me with a flat butt but since I was already flat with hanging skin, flat without sounded great.
Surgery is preformed at a surgery center in the same building. This arrival was the only part of my experience that wasn't great...they seemed very rushed and despite my early arrival it took a bit to get checked in...actually took a bit to get someone to acknowledge I was there. Once I was called to preop Dr. Mariotti arrived and marked me, once again discussed scar placement on my arms. Then it was a quick meeting with the anesthesiologist and off to surgery. I would have appreciated this slowing down just a bit...I have had a lot of surgeries but even being pretty calm the pace made me a bit edgy.
I stayed the night in the surgery center and the nurses were great. I was far more comfortable walking than in the recliner and they are all willing to get me up over and over during the night. I found this surgery much less painful than I was led to expect, my biggest problem was back spasms...which eased with walking. It was strange not to be able to stand upright, even warned...its still kind of unexpected.
Dr Mariotti checked in on my the following morning and I had two surprises....one a bit of a bummer and one really awesome. Bummer was finding out I didn't have enough skin to remove my old bellybutton hole. Its a small lumpy scar that I will probably end up having revised later...so no big deal, awesome was finding out that I ended up having just enough fat for him re-position to give me a butt!!!! So happy not to have to deal with drains. I learned to hate them when I broke my back and have dealt with them a couple of times since and they have always caused me discomfort and sometimes actual pain. Removal has never been a pleasant experience for me either so this was a big plus.
Today I am 18 days post op. I am able to stand fully upright, my recovery has been mostly flawless. I had a small (2 to 3in) wound dehiscence on day 16. Called the office, sent them a pic and came in the next day and had it stitched up. Had a check up today and its looking good...hoping that will be the last issue.
I still have a bit of swelling, mainly lower belly, its not much but I'm so looking forward to seeing the final results...arms look amazing and I still can't get over how nice and flat my stomach looks. I cant get over how nice my butt is looking...perfect little tushy lol.
I'll try to get some decent pics to post...I don't really have a single before pic...wouldn't allow anyone to take anything that would show my saggy skin. Now I find myself peeking in the mirror.
This was SO worth it!
I once weighed over 220, how much I don't know because I refused to get on a scale for a number of years. I started walking, changed by diet and eventually started running. Today I run marathons and weight 118. Problem has been all the extra skin, been years since I was willing to look an a mirror or walk out of the house in a short sleeve shirt. Hated seeing the skin wrinkling on my arms and hanging around my waist and sagging butt. The surgeon that had done my face lift moved and his office referred me to Dr Mariotti, and I couldn't be more pleased with the entire experience and especially the results!
Dr. Mariotti carefully explained my options, showed me the results to expect from each...it was the first time in a couple of years I'd looked at myself undressed in a mirror and it was not easy for me...but he was very matter of fact and reassuring and quickly made me comfortable. After discussing options I decided to go with the Belt Lipectomy (Body Lift) to address as much of the things I hate as possible. Arm lift, discussed the scar placement. He warned me the lift was going to leave me with a flat butt but since I was already flat with hanging skin, flat without sounded great.
Surgery is preformed at a surgery center in the same building. This arrival was the only part of my experience that wasn't great...they seemed very rushed and despite my early arrival it took a bit to get checked in...actually took a bit to get someone to acknowledge I was there. Once I was called to preop Dr. Mariotti arrived and marked me, once again discussed scar placement on my arms. Then it was a quick meeting with the anesthesiologist and off to surgery. I would have appreciated this slowing down just a bit...I have had a lot of surgeries but even being pretty calm the pace made me a bit edgy.
I stayed the night in the surgery center and the nurses were great. I was far more comfortable walking than in the recliner and they are all willing to get me up over and over during the night. I found this surgery much less painful than I was led to expect, my biggest problem was back spasms...which eased with walking. It was strange not to be able to stand upright, even warned...its still kind of unexpected.
Dr Mariotti checked in on my the following morning and I had two surprises....one a bit of a bummer and one really awesome. Bummer was finding out I didn't have enough skin to remove my old bellybutton hole. Its a small lumpy scar that I will probably end up having revised later...so no big deal, awesome was finding out that I ended up having just enough fat for him re-position to give me a butt!!!! So happy not to have to deal with drains. I learned to hate them when I broke my back and have dealt with them a couple of times since and they have always caused me discomfort and sometimes actual pain. Removal has never been a pleasant experience for me either so this was a big plus.
Today I am 18 days post op. I am able to stand fully upright, my recovery has been mostly flawless. I had a small (2 to 3in) wound dehiscence on day 16. Called the office, sent them a pic and came in the next day and had it stitched up. Had a check up today and its looking good...hoping that will be the last issue.
I still have a bit of swelling, mainly lower belly, its not much but I'm so looking forward to seeing the final results...arms look amazing and I still can't get over how nice and flat my stomach looks. I cant get over how nice my butt is looking...perfect little tushy lol.
I'll try to get some decent pics to post...I don't really have a single before pic...wouldn't allow anyone to take anything that would show my saggy skin. Now I find myself peeking in the mirror.
This was SO worth it!
DyanB's provider
UPDATED FROM DyanB
1 month post
Update: 6 weeks post op + before pics
DyanBDecember 30, 2019
Just a bit over 6 weeks post op and despite a minor set back healing continues to go well. Almost all the sutures are now flattened and I can't believe how thin and they already look.
Arms have been surprisingly easy right from the start, other than a bit of soreness at the armpit it was pretty easy to forget I'd had them done...until I look in a mirror!
Stomach swelling pretty much only toward the end of the day now. Had to have my waist measured for my company health plan and found I've lost 2 full inches, and that was while I still had some swelling. Can still feel some pulling across my hips and lower stomach area but for the most part everything is comfortable. My issues have oddly all been with the back side off the lift...on day 16 had a area of wound dehiscence just behind my hip. Quick office visit to get that stitched up can't tell were it was. 7 days later had a larger area just above the butt open up. Unfortunately for me that one happened while out Christmas shopping...bloody mess and really upset the store staff...not to mention me! Again, quick trip to get stitched back up....also hard to spot now. Now I'm dealing with another open wound, this one is going to have to heal open due to its location. Its a pain getting the pads/bandaids and antibiotic in place since I can't twitch due to my fused spine. Have to get creative with mirrors to be able to see lol.
Still having some issues sitting, and find a comfortable sleeping position isn't the easiest...most of this has been from the begining...but the last open wound has definitely added to it. I have to say I was expecting way most pain from the arms and stomach than I have experienced....and was not prepared for the pain in my butt.
Thrilled with the results and already looking forward to buying a short sleeved shirt and a bikini!!!
Arms have been surprisingly easy right from the start, other than a bit of soreness at the armpit it was pretty easy to forget I'd had them done...until I look in a mirror!
Stomach swelling pretty much only toward the end of the day now. Had to have my waist measured for my company health plan and found I've lost 2 full inches, and that was while I still had some swelling. Can still feel some pulling across my hips and lower stomach area but for the most part everything is comfortable. My issues have oddly all been with the back side off the lift...on day 16 had a area of wound dehiscence just behind my hip. Quick office visit to get that stitched up can't tell were it was. 7 days later had a larger area just above the butt open up. Unfortunately for me that one happened while out Christmas shopping...bloody mess and really upset the store staff...not to mention me! Again, quick trip to get stitched back up....also hard to spot now. Now I'm dealing with another open wound, this one is going to have to heal open due to its location. Its a pain getting the pads/bandaids and antibiotic in place since I can't twitch due to my fused spine. Have to get creative with mirrors to be able to see lol.
Still having some issues sitting, and find a comfortable sleeping position isn't the easiest...most of this has been from the begining...but the last open wound has definitely added to it. I have to say I was expecting way most pain from the arms and stomach than I have experienced....and was not prepared for the pain in my butt.
Thrilled with the results and already looking forward to buying a short sleeved shirt and a bikini!!!
Replies (10)
January 1, 2020
You look wonderful!!!! Im having an arm lift next week. I have been very concerned about after care. Ill be wrapped to my wrists for 8 days. How did you navigate this so well?
January 2, 2020
my incisions run from elbow to armpit and I never had any type of wrap other than surgical dressing for the first 5 days which was followed by two weeks of tape. I was shocked at how little pain I had in my arms...basically just an annoying burning sensation at the armpits and a feeling of tightness. I had to remind myself to be careful since I didnt have pain to keep me from overdoing.
good luck on your upcoming surgery...I can say it is thrilling the first time you look in a mirror afterward!
good luck on your upcoming surgery...I can say it is thrilling the first time you look in a mirror afterward!
January 3, 2020
How are the scars from the armlift? You arms look great
January 3, 2020
they are just starting to flatten out and already look way better than I'd expected. Placement is perfect, have a few bumpy spots right now but every day looks smoother. going to be extremely hard to see them. tried to add pics to this reply but cant figure out how...added a couple in an update.
January 4, 2020
You look great. Is the placement under the arm almost like the seam in a man's jacket so you cannot see it from the front or the back? If I knew my arm scars would look like yours at the end I would be on the operating table already! Wishes for best healing to you
January 4, 2020
yes...placement is very similar to a jacket seam and dont show from front or back, only show when I reach overhead.
January 4, 2020
Very encouraging. You are very brave. How long did you need to have someone help you with daily activities like using the bathroom and getting something to eat? Some people say they do these things by themselves right away other people make it sound like they are in pain and can't do anything for themselves for quite some time. Thank you so much for your generosity in responding to my questions!
January 6, 2020
I was pretty self sufficient when I went home...couldn't drive until after my post op and needed some help getting my shoes on the first day but other than that I was able to day everything myself. I had someone to help, but unfortunately she came down with the flu 4 days post op and I ended up taking care of her! A big thing for me was needing someone to make sure I was eating the first week...anesthesia kills my appetite for at least a week and its important for healing to get enough nutrition for healing. Left on my own I tend to just not eat.
I was really lucky, had very low pain levels (and I have an extremely high pain tolerance) so I was never on anything strong painkiller...a couple of Tylenols for the first day and then at night for a couple more. I was walking a couple of miles...strolling I should say since I wasn't able to stand upright and was going very slowly...4 days after surgery.
A couple things to think about...shoes, almost all of mine where laced up or things I had to tug on like boots. Make sure to have some easy slip-ons. I got a pair of Vans that worked great. If you plan on cooking anything in the first couple of weeks...move pans/pots to easy access spots, my pans were all in to low a drawer and all my plates on to high a shelf. Motion is very restricted at least for the first couple of weeks. Most of this was from my body lift, but reaching is a problem from the arm lift also. Anything overhead is pretty much out of range for a while. I also got very frustrated with how much I dropped things...was so clumsy seemed something hit the floor every 20 minutes. I wish I had one of those grabby things on stick, can't remember what they cal them but it would have made things so much easier.
Hope this helps!
I was really lucky, had very low pain levels (and I have an extremely high pain tolerance) so I was never on anything strong painkiller...a couple of Tylenols for the first day and then at night for a couple more. I was walking a couple of miles...strolling I should say since I wasn't able to stand upright and was going very slowly...4 days after surgery.
A couple things to think about...shoes, almost all of mine where laced up or things I had to tug on like boots. Make sure to have some easy slip-ons. I got a pair of Vans that worked great. If you plan on cooking anything in the first couple of weeks...move pans/pots to easy access spots, my pans were all in to low a drawer and all my plates on to high a shelf. Motion is very restricted at least for the first couple of weeks. Most of this was from my body lift, but reaching is a problem from the arm lift also. Anything overhead is pretty much out of range for a while. I also got very frustrated with how much I dropped things...was so clumsy seemed something hit the floor every 20 minutes. I wish I had one of those grabby things on stick, can't remember what they cal them but it would have made things so much easier.
Hope this helps!
UPDATED FROM DyanB
2 months post
additional update + arm pics
DyanBJanuary 3, 2020
so far except for dealing with multiple wound openings above my butt healing has been very quick and scars are already looking better than I'd been led to expect.
Arm incisions are the last to smooth out. going to be really hard to see once they finish healing. have recovered all feeling except the lowest part of the stomach area.
Arm incisions are the last to smooth out. going to be really hard to see once they finish healing. have recovered all feeling except the lowest part of the stomach area.
Replies (4)
January 3, 2020
Did you use any "scar pads" to help with healing the scars or did they just heal on their own?
Replies (1)