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POSTED UNDER Arm Lift Reviews

53 Year Old Happily Getting Rid of Saggy Upper Arms. La Mesa, CA

UPDATED FROM CaliDee
2 months post

53 year old happily getting rid of saggy upper arms

WORTH IT$15,500

CaliDee's provider

Tom J. Pousti, MD

Tom J. Pousti, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Since I don't live in Le Mesa, my first interactions with Dr. Pousti were via email. I sent him pictures and asked questions. He responded with several comments and questions as well. He was the only doctor that I interviewed that was up front with me about my expectations. I liked the girls in the office that I talked to on the phone and had a good feeling about him and his practice in general. We set a surgery date and I met him for the first time the day before my surgery. YIKES!! That seems a little scary right? Needless to say, I was a little worried. I left the office full of confidence and secure in the knowledge that I had chosen the perfect doctor. He took his time with me and my husband. He answered every question with honesty, addressed our concerns and never made us feel rushed or that he had to get out of the room to see another patient. His bedside manner is one of the best I have ever encountered. He is sure of himself and what he can do without coming off as arrogant. He is honest about outcome expectations. He is caring, gentle and seems like a very honest man. You get the feeling he is proud of what he does, and his reputation depends on your outcome. He is so very likeable. His staff are wonderful to work with as well. They all seem to really love working there, and seem genuinely excited for their patients. The day of the surgery went fast for me, although I was under for about 5-5.5 hours. My husband took care of me in our hotel room for the next few days since we flew in for the procedure. We received a call from Daisy every day for the next 2 weeks. She asked how I was, if the medication was working, and answered any questions or concerns I had. She is a wonderful person. Throughout the next few weeks, I emailed pictures, and talked with Daisy who let me know what the next steps were. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks PO. I have followed their advice to the letter, keeping my compression garments on, including the post op bra. I didn't remove any dressings until they said it was fine to do so. I am looking forward to the day I can shower again, but am patient as I want the best outcome. I would highly recommend Dr. Pousti for anyone who is looking for a strong, caring, ethical surgeon, who doesn't promise something he can't deliver, but deliver's the very best outcome.

Replies (6)

Congrats on your weight loss doll along with finding a great surgeon to complete the finishing touch on your transformation. All the best to you and I hope you continue to heal without complication. Your result so far is beautiful and I know it only get better once all the swelling is gone.
Thank you for the encouragement. I am so pleased with the outcome so far, and as you said, it will only be getting better from this point on, especially when I can get back to my normal exercise routine.
I had my arm lifts done on Dec 29 2015 and I have a lot of numbness still and slight bruising still. I am happy with the results, I also had a tummy tuck. I had gastric bypass 3 yrs ago and feel like a new person. Good luck with your recovery
Thank you. It sounds like you have had quite a transformation too. It's so fun to buy clothes now isn't it? I still have a little numbness, but not much at all. Do you have 1 arm that's a little bigger than the other one?
Hi there - hope your healing has continued and the swelling / bruising gone. Have you been able to resume yoga/Pilates? How's your range of motion since you've had a chance to heal more?

Thanks for the information so far, I practice yoga 3x week plus Pilates and am not looking forward to putting it on hold while I recover from a LBL, BL and arm lift in October!
Range of motion is very good, although I feel like I need to go slow and stretch out my right arm when I raise it straight above my head. It's a little tight, tighter than my left arm, but my left arm is still a bit bigger than my right. BUT I can raise it, so I am very happy.
I thought I would start with Pilates first, and work my way back into Vinyasa flow and Hot yoga. I just went to Pilates this week. I was/am sore today, but feel good. I had been out of Yoga/Pilates for almost 5 months. (I had broken my foot just before Christmas.....on crutches with no weight on my foot for 7 weeks then had my operation) So you can imagine that I lost all of my muscle tone. I was surprised how my body remembered the poses in Pilates though, and know everything will come back.
I did go to the gym as soon as my surgeon said it was ok to do that, starting on the bike, then the treadmill (walking then jogging slowly) then elliptical, then some weight machines before getting back into the yoga/Pilates practice. I will go to my second Pilates class tonight and am looking forward to it. They were all glad to see me back, and excited for me about my surgery.
Putting exercise on hold is never fun, especially when it's in your routine, but please follow your doctors advice about exercise. I would be a shame to ruin all his hard work by jumping in to something too quickly, not to mention how sore you would be. Take care and I'm sure your surgery is a successful as mine!
UPDATED FROM CaliDee
2 months post

53 year old happily getting rid of saggy upper arms

It is almost 7 weeks PO. I feel so much better. At about 6 weeks PO I started to feel more like myself. The change is really great. The pain is almost non existent. I am still in my compression sleeves, I was asked to wear them for 6 weeks, and I didn't get them on until 2 weeks PO, so I'm almost done. The scars are healing really well.
I'll update next week after talking to Daisy from the doctors office. I am excited for her to see how great everything is looking.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM CaliDee
1 month post

53 year old happily getting rid of saggy upper arms

Finally adding pictures. See the 3 and 4 week shots. Still sore and swollen, but glad to be out of the tape. Still wearing the compression sleeves. They feel good. Will update again soon.

Replies (6)

Thank you for adding photographs. Overall it seems like you are doing very well. The superficial separations will heal over the next two-three weeks. Please continue to keep in close communication with us ( I am in the office most afternoons if you have questions/concerns). I look forward to seeing you and your husband, if/when you are in Southern California. Thank you again. Tom J Pousti M.D.
I will post more pictures tomorrow. My incisions looks great. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. I know some of the pictures look horrible, but please don't worry anyone.......they get better with time and compression garments. It's worth the ugliness for a few weeks, and I can't believe the change in such a short time.
I'm glad that you're happy with your decision. Enjoy the new you!
Your arms look fantastic. I am also impressed that your PS took the time to reply on your post. Just awesome.
He is really a great doctor. I highly recommend him.
Did you have any problems with stitches coming out etc? My PS did an awesome tummy tuck on me but said arms are the hardest for healing due to moving arms, sweating etc he wants to just do lipo but I really need the whole thing I think
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