41yrs Old-165lb Weight Loss...My Extended Arm Lift was my Biggest Plastic Surgery Decision EVER! Perth, AU

Hi guys! Ok...this is what things look like for me at exactly 4 weeks post op. Everything is going hunky dorey, except my left underarm was sore one day. It looked chaffed. I took photos to compare in case it got worse but luckily it hasn't.
I noticed that the left underarm seemed tighter than the right, like the scar was pulling more. I kept rubbing it with my CG garment in which obviously made it worse. What ended up helping was to let it cool down (hello) then in the shower I go. Lathered up with soap and gave it a gentle massage. Both arms responded well to massage. It makes the tightness for me, subside. But definitely NO RUBBING!
The numbness makes me feel like it's ok to rub (I'm talking a circulation boosting rub, not a scrubbing rub!) but no people. Take heed and try a little bit of gentleness. I can be a bit barbaric at times :)))
Ok, so generally overall I'm feeling better each day. Literally I notice something improving every day. I'm still putting the silicone gel on daily...still preferring the local compounding pharmacists formula over the 'Xeragel' (sticky and yucky :/) and still finding that my arms feel for comfortable in the CG garment.
Wearing it though is ANNOYING. I couldn't imagine doing this op in Summer (in an Australian Summer!) I'm wearing a CG that looks like a bustier as well to give the extended (bust line) scar support too. It seriously limits your wardrobe options (!!!) and it can get a li'l toasty as well. You have this higher rounded neckline (and I usually wear V-necklines) and 3/4 length sleeves. Ohhhhhh the bitter sacrifices!!! Lol!
So far, I'm more than happy with the results and still well in track with the "ITS WORTH IT" statement :)))

Ok...so here's some pics. You can see pretty much the full extent if the suture lines. The dark spots is actually purple marking pen ink stuck in the crevice of the puckered stitch. Mmmm...attractive... But short of getting a toothbrush and some Ajax and going for it... It'll just have to fade away slowly. (Ok..I was just kidding with the Ajax ;) Anyway... The ink highlights the lack of smoothness you can expect at 3 weeks post op. I know some of you might look at the scar and go "Ouch!" Or..."YUCK" but those that have had surgery before usually know it never ends up staying this way. I have Meditteranean skin which means I'm not a fabulous candidate for minimal scarring, but these wounds are young and raised and still have a long way to go before they flatten and fade into oblivion.
As for pain sensations at this stage... Well there's no pain. There's the bruising and swelling which is just tender to touch. The suture lines feel tight and this can feel a bit restrictive- and for me the most uncomfortable part is right in the armpit. I don't have that zig-zaggy scar that some of you say is designed to allow for extra range of motion. But then some of you have the same straight line as me...so like everything, each patient's pre op arm requires custom made lines :) The tightness in the armpit feels like I want to cut the scar to allow for more give- the pulling feel like someone is pinching me reeeeally hard! It's just a baby scar and once it softens...and flattens...and breaks down a bit...it'll move with the arm better and allow for more range. That's the theory, and I'm sticking to it. If it doesn't turn out that way, I'll take a reality pill and head back to my surgeons rooms but trust me- right now I have an anxiety level reading of approximately...Zero :)
Patience for patients.
Ok. Bad joke.

Guys, I just wanted to share a moment. So....my arms are all still kinda numb and 'hard' feeling...still feeling very protective over them, despite them being fully knitted closed. The compression garment helps a lot with that. It feels weird to touch the skin in that area, which I really only do (or need to do) whilst showering. But here's the moment:
Soap in hand...gently washing my lower arm, then up to the biceps...then underneath...and My arm felt SMALL. It was liiiiike....all I could feel was 'arm'. The real arm. Not moving skin...no folds of skin....no blanket of moving, draping skin...just ARM.
AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY UP MY ARM!!!
My arm felt, errrr....***longer***!!! It was like the skin being removed had exposed my real arm to me. I've scored a long arm. I'm so happy.
Happy happy joy joy. I think only people who've lived with moving flopping, draping skin around their core body can appreciate a moment like this. It's a liberating moment...one where you feel like you can be you...without being hidden by annoying wobbling interruptions. Do you guys get that?? The joy of seeing my arms. I tell ya.... all I keep hearing myself say, is "thank you". I truly appreciate the care my Dr took in making this a positive experience for me. I'm so grateful.
I'll post some photos shortly of the wound without bandages at day 24 post op.