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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews

66, 195 Lbs. Breast Reduction + Arm Lift- Folsom, CA

UPDATED FROM NinthLife
19 days post

Not a Happy Camper

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NinthLifeJuly 5, 2014
WORTH IT$12,000
Almost three weeks post-op and so sore and swollen. Not the breasts so much, but anyone considering an arm lift should be forewarned. I feel like I have a severe sunburn on my arms, so that I am constantly changing clothes, looking for a texture that isn't awful. And tennis balls in the armpits. By 3 in the afternoon, I'm a mess, so tired of hurting. I'm wearing some compression, but the garment is so tight I can't get it on.
Sorry to be a complainer, but I didn't realize it could get worse instead of better. Here's hoping for an upturn!
At the same time, I'm not sorry I did it, just impatient for healing. My incisions are fine. My breasts are a lovely shape and size. Having the weight of arms and breasts gone makes me feel like a kid. So it's not all bad!

NinthLife's provider

Christa Clark, MD, FACS

Christa Clark, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (4)

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MM
My My My
July 6, 2014
I had the sunburn feeling all over my chest and sides. Not so much where the incisions are, just everywhere. It lasted a whole month! I didn't have any lipo, just incisions. I hope you feel better soon, the swelling looks so painful :(
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NinthLife
July 6, 2014
Thanks, MyMyMy. It's good to know I'm still on the map, recovery-wise. I'm at three weeks post-op tomorrow and expected to be in less (or no) pain by now. This appears to be how I'm spending the summer! Yuck. I think the swelling recedes a little each day, but just a little at a time. It doesn't seem like swelling because my arms are so much smaller than pre-op even swollen. I have to remind myself to let my poor shoulders relax -- they're so used to hoisting up my droopy chest. Feels good. I wish there was a way to sort reviews by time -- like see how others are doing 3 weeks out. Not a tech person myself. Thanks for your response! How are you doing in working with your ps on shape?
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MM
My My My
July 7, 2014
I think I'd ask for a different compression garment! My shoulders aren't automatically relaxing either, although it's much easier to have good posture when I'm thinking about it. As far as my shape goes, I see my GP today and will discuss the possibility of seeing a PS outside the VA system that's an expert on this kind of thing, but she'll probably tell me to talk to the surgeon who did it. I'm not looking forward to that conversation :/ I see him on the 15th.
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NinthLife
July 8, 2014
I found an old bicycling bolero with skinny arms and that seems to be about right except for being so hot (100 degree weather here). I also got some over-the-knee tube socks, which work great with the toes cut off. The pain was really bad yesterday, but better today. Good luck with your concern about shape!
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Bee35
July 7, 2014
Thanks for sharing the photos ... my bandages are coming off on Wednesday and I am nervous to see what is there ... trying to prepare myself. I hope by 19 days I will also be saying 'my breasts are a lovely shape and size' ... it would be the first time I ever said something like that. I am already impatient to be healed and it is less than a week ...
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NinthLife
July 7, 2014
Waiting does appear to be the hard part -- because it's hard to be uncomfortable every day. Speaking for myself! I think next week my breasts will be a different shape and size. I seem to be a big sweller. I'm prepared to like what I get out of this -- freedom, mobility, okay, better clothes! Best of luck to you, Bee35!
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Bee35
July 12, 2014
I agree and I know that I will love the outcome ... it will make a huge difference to my life on so many levels. It was the initial challenge of seeing myself for the first time that I have had to come to terms with ... my breasts had been compressed almost flat for 7 days and looked like two square plates!
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Booty4Real
July 12, 2014
Your results are stellar! Here's to an upwardly progressive healing!
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firebrandsgirl
December 3, 2014
Sharing how you feel is good. I don't want to read only the positives. ahaha Now, I know I might need help and to try to wear cloths that are soft. Thanks
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NinthLife
December 3, 2014
I bought some very cheap cotton tubesocks and cut off the foot-ends. I use these, terry-cloth out, on my arms when they seem extra sensitive. Even soft sleeves that move against the skin can be uncomfortable, so the new tubesocksleeves protect the skin. A cheap fix, if you are having the same trouble with sunburny feeling arms.
UPDATED FROM NinthLife
9 days post

One-week check-up

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NinthLifeJune 26, 2014
My one-week check-up was great. No problems, just the standard pain from swelling and bruising. No complications at all. I feel so fortunate and wish you all the best with the next stage of your healing, whatever that may be. Stitches out from my arms, but a few left in my breasts. They'll come out next week. I'm attached photos to show what I look like now -- gross and icky but presumably on a good path to complete healing.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM NinthLife
8 days post

Healing and pleased

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NinthLifeJune 25, 2014
Today was better than yesterday in terms of fatigue. The really sore part of this is the brachioplasty. My arms are numb and a little swollen and quite bruised to the wrist. (Arnica is okay, bromelain not because of my iffy liver).
I think my husband is worried that I will gain weight and put the fat back on, and it's not a stupid worry. But I can't diet and work out until the healing is further along. I'm being sensible right now. I am looking forward to getting back to the gym and working on arm muscles, which will actually SHOW now!
I hope you all are doing well. RealSelf has been such a help to me, and that means YOU!

Replies (4)

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changingb430
June 25, 2014
I'm worried about weight gain also. I'm wanting to be under 200 pounds by time I have the surgery on the 16th. My arms are extra flabby especially since I've lost 50 pounds so far. So I'm looking into working out extra hard to tone these arms up. Congrats on your surgery.
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peediewife
June 25, 2014
i found it so much easier to lose weight after the surgery. the smaller boobs are such an incentive to make the best of myself now that i have a much greater choice of clothes and an actually look good in them. i found the website myfitnesspal a huge help, on 1200 calories a day, protein at every meal and minimal carbs
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changingb430
June 25, 2014
Peediewife, after surgery did you gain any during the recovery period??? That's what I'm worried about. No exercise and I may gain. Some have said that I will lose weight faster after surgery but I'm not sure why
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Mommajenni
June 26, 2014
Hey ladies, so far I have found all that working out I was doing pre op a positive on surgery day. I am down 8-10 lbs and refuse to weigh again until many weeks post op. a diet & fitness expert told me people usually lose weight post op bc they have a tiny, bland limited appetite. Also my very strong quads are helping me sit on the toilet.
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changingb430
June 26, 2014
Congrats on the weight loss. I hope I'm as lucky... I'm stuck at 205-208. Wanting to be under 200 by the 16th.
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peediewife
June 26, 2014
did not gain but took care with my eating and very quickly started losing
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changingb430
June 26, 2014
Note taken....... I don't want my hard work to go out the window.
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sensitive
June 19, 2015
What is a brachioplasty?
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S
sensitive
June 19, 2015
My Dr. Hollins told me to lose weight before my surgery, because if you lose weight after the surgery, any lift that you got with the BR will drop back down again. I am trying hard to lose weight and I have lost 6 lbs., but I still want to lose between 10 and 15 lbs. more. I take gabapentin for my severe back problems, and my fibromyalgia, and it cause me to gain 10 to 15 lbs., so it has been a struggle. I am not having my BR surgery until the Fall on September 22nd. I have a lot of family visiting this summer, plus I didn't want to miss pool and sun time. I felt it also would give me ample time to lose weight. I am counting the days and months, as I met with my Dr. in May. He does not turn into insurance until after the surgery, so that worries me a bit, but he assured me I will be covered. I have both Medicare and BCBS supplemental policy.
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