POSTED UNDER Arm Lift REVIEWS
Fantastic Doctor - Pittsburgh, PA
ORIGINAL POST
I am a distance swimmer and the excess skin on my...
sarah_qNovember 17, 2013
$6,000
I am a distance swimmer and the excess skin on my arms would chafe terribly when swimming long distances, and this was particularly painful in salt water. I had abdominoplasty in 2004 (different doctor/town), so I knew plastic surgery hurt. And it did. But my doctor was excellent and I felt like I had a partner in the recovery process, which made a huge difference. And now my arms don't rub at all when I swim! Very pleased with the outcome. It was worth it.
Replies (3)
UPDATED FROM sarah_q
1 year post
not worth it afterall
sarah_qDecember 28, 2013
I love my doctor and this is not his fault but I have developed lymphedema in my left arm as a result of this surgery. It is swollen, painful, and I need to be in compression 24/7. Ironically I had this procedure so I could exercise pain free. So much for that. According to my physical therapist she sees this often in brachioplasty patients. The long scar disrupts your lymphatic system. So much for thinking I made it through the worst part of this.
Replies (22)

January 15, 2014
Wow sorry to hear of the lymphedema complication! Eventually this is expected to resolve correct?
January 15, 2014
maybe it will resolve, or maybe I will spend the rest of my life in compression, with the added risk of serious infection every time I get a tiny cut. My physical therapist said we would know more in 6 months. :( And she said I was not the first brachioplasty patient she had seen with this problem. It can happen years post op. The long scars compromise your lymphatic system.

January 16, 2014
Yes....wow....I just had my brachio.....we all count on the " do no harm" as being the absolute start point to plastics and their value add to our lives....I can just imagine how disappointed you must be ( I know how I would feel...)....I was watching you because you do have really nice scars! I am so sorry you have the complication....will be so praying for you it is temporary!
January 16, 2014
I hope you don't develop complications. Apparently lymphedema can happen many many years post-op. My physical therapist has seen it 10 years after major surgery. The long scars disrupt your lymphatic system. The sad thing for me is that I did this surgery because I am an athlete and the excess skin caused problems. Now my left arm is compromised. I have to wear full arm (to the finger tip) compression all day/night. And I am having trouble riding a bicycle since I cannot operate the left brake, and my hand swells terribly when I ride.

January 19, 2014
So sorry to learn of this, I had never heard this was a possibility. I pray this is something that will be short lived.....When checking it out online they mentioned lifting weights as a way to prevent it. Have you heard of this? Since yours started after your first year out, I wonder if this means the weight lifting is something that needs to be started as soon as you are able after surgery? Hum, I am 9 months out from having my arm surgery. Maybe I need to start lifting arm weights.
January 20, 2014
I lift 2x/week, swim 3x/week, run 2x/week, and bike 2-3x/week and I do hot yoga weekly. I finished an ironman triathlon swim last year. And swam around NYC on a 4-person relay team. So if exercise prevents it, it didn't work for me.
January 22, 2014
So tragic, this article just mentioned light weights to get the lymphatic system flowing. I too am a swimmer and I noticed such a difference swimming there was a pull in the arms that was never there before. It seems harder to stroke now, I laughed to myself and thought my batwings acted as flippers helping to speed me along. I truly hope this condition leaves as quickly as it came on. Wishing you all the best.

March 1, 2014
Hi Sarah! Have been thinking about you - how is the lymphadema going? Any signs of clearing up?
March 1, 2014
No. I am using a Flexitouch machine nightly and wear compression constantly. In fact I have to dress up for a wedding today and I am dreading wearing the therapy glove and dealing w the looks/questions. It's gets old. My hand is weak. I am having trouble cycling since operating the brakes is difficult. The most depressing thing is the damage is likely permanent. I may never wear my wedding rings again.

March 3, 2014
Sarah, so terribly sorry to hear...at the risk of sounding "weird" I think of you and your situation often as it is the epitome of exactly what you *don't* want to happen...the hopes we pin on these surgeries....the risks we take with our bodies (even when the serious complication rate is low)....makes me so sad.... I so appreciate your candor in discussing, it is very sobering. Keep us posted on any changes, OK?

August 25, 2014
How are you doing?
August 25, 2014
Just finished a 2 hour stint in the flexitouch to try to bring the swelling down after a relatively short bike ride today. Lymphedema is incurable.

August 25, 2014
So this is something you will have to live with for the rest of your life? I hope therapy helps somewhat for swelling and discomfort. I have never heard of this and you are the first review i have come across with Lymphedema.
Best Wishes and thank you for sharing with me your experience.
August 25, 2014
My Physical Therapist has seen it more than once -- it is common. Probably not often reported here. People undergoing this procedure should be aware of the risk. I was not when I had it done. With two arms you double the probability of an adverse event.

August 26, 2014
Thank you for the info. I had smart-lipo on arms in June. It is a very delicate and sensitive critical area.
I hope it all works out for you.
October 7, 2014
Your arms look good. Sorry, your are having some issues. Have you tried lymphatic massage? It's really painful it it's done right. I had it done when I had my thigh lift, it made a world of difference. I booked 13 visits. I cried thru some of them but it really helped my swelling, lymph drainage and scar tissue release. I'm having a bracioplasty nov.3. I will definitely be doing lymphatic massage. Hopefully, I will not have any major issues. Hope you feel better!
October 7, 2014
yes I did everything during recovery to aid the healing process. I was 13 months post - op when I developed the lymphedema. According to my LE specialist it is not uncommon for this to happen. Every night I tuck my entire left side into a flexitouch machine before bed. I can't wear my wedding ring. I need to use compression. Trust me, it is NOT a good look.
Hi there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
Your arms look really good and the scar looks great. If you don't mind me asking, did you have excess skin because of weight loss, or was it just general excess skin?
I'm going to need this surgery in the future and I think I'm most nervous about the pain, etc. Was your movement restricted at all, initially, because of the scars?
Well congratulations on your weight loss, first of all. That's an amazing achievement!
The recovery is really what scares me the most! But, it's something that I will definitely need, so I guess it just has to be done. Maybe pain killers will help. :-)