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POSTED UNDER Arm Lift REVIEWS

Getting Rid of my Baggy Arms. London, GB

ORIGINAL POST

I apologise in advance for any spelling mistakes...

lynniebee
$5,698

I apologise in advance for any spelling mistakes as I am writing this review at 4.30 in the morning and can't sleep anywhere without my husband spooning up behind me.

I have hated my arms for the last 15 years or so and have noticed that as time has gone on they have got saggier and saggier I lost about 40 lbs in weight about 15 years ago and my arms looked not too bad at first but with age, gravity etc they certainly were not firm and I felt that I had 'old lady arms'.

After discussing it with my wonderful supportive husband I decided to use my tax free cash lump sum from my pension to pay for the procedure. I did a lot of research and had three different consultations and chose Ivo Gwanmesia. It is quite shocking how three different surgeons differ in what they will do in the procedure. The first surgeon showed me before and after pictures of one person and quite frankly I thought that they didn't look that much different from how my arms already looked. This surgeon didn't really go into much detail and said he would go into more detail in our next consultation. I wasn't very happy about this as I felt that I should have been given all the facts in that first consultation. The second consultation wasn't with a surgeon but with a nurse at the clinic.. Had I decided to go ahead with this clinic I would have needed to pay consultation fee and see the surgeon. The fee to see this surgeon would have been deducted from the cost of the surgery. My third consultation was with Ivo. I used WHATCLINIC to find info about surgery and surgeons who did this procedure.
WHATCLINIC also had details of clinics that could be performed abroad in Belgium and eastern European countries, they were amazingly cheap but I didn't want to go down this route as having seen botched plastic surgery programmes on tv a large percentage of people end up having to have a revision done in the UK at further cost so might just as well paid more at home in the first place as UK surgeons are insured.

Some people might think I am really vain and should just accept the fact that I am getting older and everything that goes with it. But everybody that posts a review will understand how I feel. I still feel 19 inside I am not expecting a 19 years old body just one that I am happier with. I don't like having photos taken of myself and my husband is always complaining about this as I delete photos that I don't like.

Back to Ivo, the thought of the scars didn't bother me as much as the baggy arms after all people are unlikely to see the scars unless I go about with my arms above my head and the scars will fade over time. The price I have paid includes everything from surgeon and anesthetic fees, overnight stay in hospital, follow up and aftercare appointments and Ivo has said that if I wasn't happy with result he would do revision at no extra cost. I am confident that this won't be necessary. Ivo is very professional and friendly, has answered my emails and called me at home several times.

lynniebee's provider

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast)

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast)

Specialist Registered Plastic Surgeon

lynniebee rating for Dr. Gwanmesia:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
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Replies (3)

September 20, 2016
I know exactly how you felt as I do too. I get fed up looking for three quarter sleeves to hide the bat wings. And they do make you look older than you feel :) Roll on January, I will be so glad to see the back of mine. x
September 22, 2016
Thanks for your comment. I have to be honest and am not totally happy with how the scars look from behind as they are visible at the back with my arms down. I haven't seen any other pictures of other people's arms with arms down to compare. My arms look fine from the front but I didn't really get the slim arms I was after. I have posted new pictures of how my arms look from the back.
September 22, 2016
I am sorry to hear that. Maybe when they have faded they will be ok.
UPDATED FROM lynniebee
1 day post

First day after surgery

lynniebee
These pictures were taken from the day before surgery took place. My arms measured 13 inches in diameter.

Had an horrendous night after surgery as I couldn't sleep . I was originally supposed to be a day case and go home a few hours after surgery, but because my surgery was done until late in the day and I didn't feel very well - I had the shakes, was freezing cold and had a rash. The rash went, don't know what it was and the nurses warmed me up i felt a bit better but didn't feel I could cope with a 90 minute drive home so I stayed overnight.

I feel very sore and can't really move my arms much. When I am trying to get in and out of bed I have to use my stomach muscles to sit up and 'bum' walk my way to the edge of the bed.

I need to wear my compression garment night and day for 2 weeks and then overnight for a further 4 weeks. I can't wash under my arms until the staples come out in a week's time. Any hints or tips as to how to deal with this I would be very grateful.

Thanks for reading my review.

Replies (19)

January 31, 2016
Im right there with you. My surgery was the 26th...the first 2 days were the worst...now off
Pain meds just take tylenol...have surgical bra on as had breast lift as well...arms are wrapped in ace bandages with gauze underneath...
January 31, 2016
I do the butt walk to...im sleeping in a recliner as my stitches pull laying flat...i can use my arms for everything...just no lifting over 5 lbs and no pulling or pushing very much...
January 31, 2016
I am feeling a lot better today, I am taking ibuprofen for the swelling and paracetamol for the pain. I think the paracetamol is the same as your Tylenol. I am also taking antibiotics to prevent any infection from kicking in. Also my compression garment is like a bra with sleeves with hook and eyes both at the back and the front of the bra. I have dressings underneath as well and I can't tell what sort they are, they feel like gauze. Ivo did a z-plastic. Don't know if that is correct spelling but that was what it sounded like so the incision starts in my armpit. He also did a little bit of Lipo on the back fat also. The bra is surprisingly comfortable but very warm, I keep breaking out into a sweat. I can really only wash my lower half and not my top half. How are you dealing with that?
January 31, 2016
Im getting better each day to. Im taking antibiotic 5 days so today is my last day.
i get the sweats as well.
my incision starts in the armpit and stops just before elbow. I will keep gauze on with ace wraps over.
my bra is longer style with zip front...gauze tucked in.
i have been using wipes to wash up but not those areas. Today will be my first shower but will try to keep incisions dry yet until full shower on day 7.
I had 4 drains and had last two out yesterday now today im so swollen! Feel like water balloon! Will watch salt now but wow are you swollen?
January 31, 2016
Yes I am swollen, in some places my arms measures more than before surgery. Hopefully this will reduce down considerably but I am impatient and want immediate results. I didn't have any drains as Ivo not keen on them as one patient he had, the drain broke when he tried to remove it.

I can't have a proper shower until Friday so I will have to try and freshen up with baby wipes used very gently round my armpits.

Drink plenty of water it will make you wee a lot but should help with the swelling also try not to eat too much processed food as they contain a lot of salt.
January 31, 2016
Thanks...i had pizza yesterday which was not very good idea!!
I will drink more water today.
I am washing the surgical bra and had to put a sport bra on from 9 months ago that was 3-4 sizes to big and barely fit me. I lost 85 lbs last year and 175 total....i will be 50 years in May...
keep in touch
January 31, 2016
Wow 175 lbs is a lot, I bet you look fantastic now. Will you be having any other surgery. I know you have insurance cover in the States to pay for your surgery but here in UK we have the NHS and you have got to have a really good reason to have surgery done on the NHS for free so the vast majority of people have to pay privately for cosmetic surgery.
January 31, 2016
I had to pay in full myself for both my breast and arm lift. Anything considered cosmetic isnt covered. Some ins will cover the stomach apron hang when loss is more than 100lbs...if i do that i would have the full tummy tuck so would pay 50%.
I would also have the top thigh lift with tummy if i decide....i have to start saving again!
I gained quite a bit from swelling! I took first shower today...my breasts are bruised and numb...arms numb in places to but no bleeding and looks good so far...
January 31, 2016
I didnt have any lipo.
i woke up in recovery and was home an hour later.
January 31, 2016
Bet it felt good to have a shower. My first proper shower will be on Friday and I can't wait. How sad is that lol
February 1, 2016
Hi, been thinking about you sleeping in a recliner. Have you got memory foam pillows. You might get a better nights sleep using these in a bed rather than using a recliner. Better still would be one of those v pillows in memory foam. They are expensive but worth it.
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January 31, 2016
Ahh good for you, doing something for yourself ! Do what makes you happy, it's your body & your life, no one has a right to judge !
You were Ivo's patient after me, he came to see me in my room after he performed rhinoplasty & said he had just finished an arm lift :) so we would have been in same hospital that night.

Good to hear you are recovering well, I'm in a fair bit of pain but was told to expect that due to the bone correction Ivo had to perform, so my partner had to go get me codeine to manage the pain today but I'm feeling much better now that's kicked in. Rest up & hope you are happy with your results X
January 31, 2016
Hi, glad you are recovering well. Ivo told me he had done two noses that day. Might possibly meet you on Friday as he is having a special clinic for the three of us so we would have had a week of recovery before removing stitches/staples etc.

I had my nose done in 2007 abroad and initially it was fine but extra bone growth made it look more prominent and I was very unhappy with it. So in 2010 I had it done again at Highgate Hospital and it is much improved. Should have had it done in England first time round instead of thinking about saving money. You definitely get what you pay for.

Anyway good luck and I am sure you will be happy with your new nose.
January 31, 2016
most people's insurance in the US does not cover skin removal at all...very rare...im getting arms and boobs done on Monday and it cost 12000.00 which is pretty reasonable in America ...can't get that price in large cities ..good luck girls
January 31, 2016
Thank you and good luck for your surgery on Monday
February 3, 2016
Congratulations! You made the right decision.
February 3, 2016
Thank you. The advice and support I am getting from this website is second to none.
February 21, 2016
Congrats on your surgery and hope you are feeling much better now'
February 25, 2016
Thank you. I am feeling much better now. Just wearing the compression garment at night for a further two weeks.
UPDATED FROM lynniebee
2 days post

Arm measurements

lynniebee
My husband has measured my arms for me today and I am a little bit disappointed to see that in one place they are actually bigger than my measurements before surgery. I am hoping that this is due to fluid/swelling build up in my arms and they will reduce down quite a bit. Ivo took photos of what he removed and has shown them to my husband and he was quite shocked, said they looked like a couple of chicken fillets. Once Ivo has emailed them to me I will upload them to this review. Probably wasn't the best time to start measuring as it is less than two days since surgery and I am a little impatient and want immediate results.

I have a little more movement in my arms today and can actually pull up my own knickers now after using the loo. Oh what it is to have a supportive husband to help you with these things. I am so lucky.

Replies (13)

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January 31, 2016
Congratulations on your surgery! I'm sure you are swollen right now.

I'm having my arm lift on 2/3/16! I will follow your progress!
February 1, 2016
Who will be doing your surgery and will you be posting a review? I will follow your progress as it helps to have support from people who have or have gone through the same thing.
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February 1, 2016
I have both a BA review and my arm lift review. Surgery so soon!
January 31, 2016
Well done you....looking at your before photos is like looking at my own arms. I just measured mine (never done that before) and they too are 13 inches, also I am about the same age as you and live in the UK. I have already chosen a surgeon to do the arm lift but not a date yet. I wish you well in your recovery and will follow your progress.
February 1, 2016
It's a major step making the decision to do this. You know it is not going to be easy. The only thing I would suggest is that you have it done sooner rather than later. You don't really want to be wearing the compression garment in the summer and you will be wanting to show off those gorgeous new arms come the summer.

Who is your surgeon? I hope you post a review.
February 3, 2016
My surgeon is Richard Price at spire Cambridge. I'm hoping to get booked in for early April. I will definitely post a review.
February 8, 2016
Good luck. I will follow your progress.
February 1, 2016
I didnt write a review because i didnt take before photos...didnt want breasts shown anywhere but could have done arm review but no photos taken. My surgeon took them though... yes thank goodness for our husbands!
I get my stitches out Friday so hope they are ready!
February 1, 2016
It's not too late to start a review for your arms. Your experience will help everybody that is thinking about doing this.

Good luck for Friday. I actually have staples that will also be removed on Friday as well.
February 1, 2016
Yes as soon as i take photos next dressing change i think i will do review...
are your hands and arms swollen? My hands are so puffy!
February 1, 2016
Yes my lower arms are swollen. My wedding ring feels tight. I probably need to drink more water.
February 21, 2016
I hope it all went well.
February 25, 2016
Yes, everything has gone well. Hardly any pain now.