I have only had an armlift. I will wait until after I have kids to get a tummy tuck. 

Brachioplasty (Armlift) experience 3/12/09

 

Got to the hospital at 6:30 – didn’t have blood drawn previously so they needed a sample to run a CBC.  They inserted the IV (the worst part in my opinion and were going to suck out some blood there but nothing was coming.  They didn’t want to blow the line so they decided to leave the IV alone and just draw some blood the old fashioned way out of my left arm.  Messy but not too bad…they said my veins were so tiny (I dread the IV part b/c when I was MO, I’ve always had a difficult time w/ shots). Both nurses (IV and Blood Drawing nurse) spilt some of my blood.  I hate the beginning stuff. 

 

My anethesiologist and doctor came in…they r very nice and resound in confidence.  That made me very happy (and made spending $5300 feel justified). I got colored on w/ a purple marker and then wheeled into the OR (around 8ish).  My drug supplier said he’d put on a mask and then put me to sleep but I don’t remember getting a mask.  The last things I remember was shifting on the new bed and listening to them talk.  Woke up to my male nurse…very kind guy.  What the pain felt like….

 

I felt like I had two holes in my armpits that were on fire.  A burning pain.  I felt like I was in an upper body cast but I was only bandaged.  He gave me a few shots of morphine and then said he gave me as much as allowed.  He said with the amount of morphine I received he doesn’t know how I am still conscious.  Hence the morphine wasn’t working enough magic…he kept asking if my pain was a 5 yet and Id keep saying no.  He gave me a shot of Demerol (I think) and that finally helped.  It hurts to extend (straighten) my arms.  Most of the pain is in the very corner of my armpit near my back (so the far right side of my right arm and the far left side of my left arm).  It also hurt more in one arm then the other.  General pain by beginning of arm and at tip of elbow.  Putting my shirt on was SO painful…and drainage seeped out b/c of it.  Nurse said we should take it off and let me have a new robe/scrub to wear instead.  I’ll bring it back one day. Maybe.  It has definitely been useful. 

 

My pain level is tolerable actually…granted it hurts to move or reach for anything. However, I know I still have the good drugs in my system so I hope tomorrow I wont get an unpleasant surprise (I hope I don’t wake up in more pain then i am in now…although I know it is a possibility).  Guess I will find out soon enough.  Oh! And I keep going through spells of sweating…I took my temperature to make sure I wasn’t running a fever (and I am not). 

 

Mom was seen by my Doctor around 11:30 (I think I was under for approximately 3 hours).  She told me that he said it went well. Then my mom held up two fingers and said, “He cut off this much.” LoL  I’ll take the bandages off Monday.  I was prescribed Hydrocodone (Lortab), some ointment, antibiotic, and phenergen. I had them filled the other day…all except the Phenergen (spelling).  And now I regret not getting the Phenergen filled.  Why? Nausea. 

 

I can tolerate the pain but I feel nauseous.  I threw up twice.  Eating is a chore and so far I keep feeling sick.  The first time I threw up it was b/c my tummy was empty.  The second time I think I ate too much.  I can’t tell when i am full.  Now I only take 3-4 bites and wait…but I still feel Oozy every time.  I am going to ask my mom to get the Phenergen tomorrow. 

 

This took me all day to write. I've been slipping in and out of consciousness all day.  I’ll wake up and be good for a bit…wide a wake…then the next thing I know I'm waking up again. Lol I am falling asleep still thinking I am awake.  My brain is going a mile a minute…no dreams.  Just thinking and planning and weird stuff like that.  I am not a deep sleeper either so whenever my mom walks by my room i am awake. 

 

So I’m trying to eat and drink and move only when I have to.  I can stretch my left arm out more then my right at the moment.  This is good b/c it made getting things very difficult.  Thanks for all the concern, well wishes, and patience.  I never write long posts so I apologize for the long read or skim. Lol

 

I will provide photographs of my before surgery arms soon.  My doctor took some and I took some myself this morning.  I don’t have a copy yet from my doctor but I will load mine tomorrow or some time soon. It is too late and too far to go get them.  Wont even get the bandages off until Monday so the “after” pictures will be a little while. 

 

P.S.  When I went to pay, I recruited the receptionist to look into the DS! 

 

 

Day 2 Recovery of Arm lift

Trying to adjust in the bed last night to go to sleep was painful.  And getting up this morning hurt. I’m trying not to use my arms but you can imagine how difficult that is.  I hoisted myself with a kind of rocking motion.  I started to bleed/drain from my right arm.  Armpits hurt and I was very itchy this morning.

 

The doctor instructions were to wait until Monday to shower and change the dressings.  I cannot rest when I feel dirty.  I am a very clean person.  I wash my sheets and comforters every Sunday.  I take a shower (and that always includes washing my hair) every night.  If I lay in my bed w/out taking a shower I have to wash my sheets the very next day.  I also have to wash them if I’ve been lying in my bed too long (meaning I could be clean when I go in but since I was in my bed all day it feels dirty).  I probably have a little CDO (OCD alphabetically – haha).  The point is I had my mom change my sheets and wash them.  Then I washed myself (everything but my arms).  So I am now feeling nice and clean. 

 

When I was MO I would have been mortified to let anyone see my naked, even my mother.  The DS has allowed my confidence to build and I did not mind her helping me.  I think my gown dropped a bit at the hospital because the male nurse fixed it and looked at me with apologetic eyes (as in sorry I know I am a guy and you are probably embarrassed) but I really could care less.  My breasts may be small but they are cute and point north. lol   In fact, I am sleeping in just a towel until my gown is dry.  I told my Andy that he would have easy access if he was here (he laughed at my making jokes the day of and the day after surgery – but that is just me.  I know I am in pain but I try not to make it too much of a big deal). I assure you this is not the drug speaking; I am really this open in person (just ask Stephanie).

 

I still feel nausea and eating is a challenge.  My mother is getting my Phenergen right now.  I took my antibiotic and lortab this morning with two slices of bread.  I don’t normally get two pieces down that quickly so I am not sure if I am feeling sick because of the meds or because the “fullness” signal to my brain is on the fritz.  Regardless, I am going to take the Phenergen suppositories.

 

Oh!!  Doctor called this morning and said he removed 9cm or approximately 4-5 inches from each arm.  My arms are going to be nice and small!! I feel like I am a magician because so many of you did not think I needed an arm lift.  When I get the pictures I am going to reveal my magic trick.  I can hear the drum roll now and you get to see the skin I hid so well in my clothes.  Then TADA* the curtain drops and you see the new and improved smaller arm.  The illusion becomes my reality.  The magician named Hayley will get to retire her trick. Lol  

 

Day 3
Mobility is increasing. Had a peek at the scar...pretty ugly right now. Elevated.  But I will tell myself it will improve and try not to think about it.  I am eating much better...and have yet to feel sick today.  My Mom has been a great nurse and I make a point to say Thank you so I hope she knows that I genuinely appreciate her.   

before 2weeks later

I was morbidly obese despite the daily denial.  I had dark skin in areas (neck, armpits, under breasts) and my tummy protruded out farther then my chest.   Yet I told myself and everyone else that I was happy.  I didnt think I ate too much, I just thought I ate at the wrong times (late at night for example).  I kept telling myself that, when I get thinner I will go this and I will do that.  I slowly was starting to have difficulty doing things...walking was exhausting unless I was with someone who by talking with me could distract me away from the leg cramping.  I couldnt ride all the rollercoasters anymore.  I needed an extension on an airport. 

Then I was tired of waiting...I was ready...I had the DS. 

The darkened skin vanished, the tummy vanished, the limitations vanished, the energy arrived, and real happiness was finally felt.  I look back at old pictures and I cannot believe that used to be me.  This..now..has always been me...just hidden away from the world and from myself by fat.  Im ready now to do everything I always put off...I no longer need ot wait or worry about what I will look like doing certain things.  I got my dream...I got a second chance. 

I no longer look at other people and wish I could give them 50 pounds of my own fat (b/c they could use some weight and it would be an even trade) - I no longer tried to make deals with God if he'd only let me wake up thin. I no longer look at others and wish to trade places with them.  I want to be me now...I am my dream.  I dont have to dream for anything else...I can live the way I was always meant to...happily.

I had a dream to be normal and the DS helped me make it come true. 

This month passed me by.  On November 30th I finally lost that last pound to make a grand total loss of 200 pounds...TWO HUNDRED POUNDS!  That is so crazy...to look at me, you would never guess I had lost 200 pounds.  I have been lucky with my skin.  While I would like to get some plastics, my skin has bounced back remarkably well. 

So im eating more (can eat all 10 wings w/ some fries and the carrot sticks from wingstop) and thanks to a lot of walking on my Holiday in Canada with my sweetie..still lost weight!

Life is good.  Need to pay off my school loans, marry Andy, and migrate to Canada to start a life with him.  No complaints in my life and no complaints or isses w/ my DS. =)

So I was at Express (skinny people store) and I always buy a Medium.  Well I never wear dresses but since having my wonderful DS I have become very girly.  I thought id try on a sweater dress...just for fun while waiting for my friend to meet me at the mall.

Well the medium looked kind of weird so I asked my attentive sale lady for leggings and a small.  I came out of the dressing room...shy...I literally was like biting my hand.  But it was still a little weird.  The sales lady comes right over and asks me, "What u didnt like how the small fit?" she was peeking in my dressing room.  I responded that I was WEARING the small.  She said,
"really? Well girl u need the XS"

Okay...jaw dropping on floor...did she say I needed an extra small?  Well i wait thinking.."yeah right that will be way too tight"

You guessed it...it FIT! And with room to spare...I cannot believe it.  I know im not really an xs but it still feels good.  I can honestly say the only dress in my closet is an extra small.

I went and bought mid calf boots...It is weird but I was singing "these boots are made for walking and that's just what they'll do...one of these days these boots r gonna walk all over you..."  

The boots really boost the ego. 

Anyway...I LOVE MY DS!!!  20 months ago I was wearing a 3x...the DS has been amazing.  I have lost 199 pounds and havent had any problems...my skin bounced back better then I could ever have imagined (not to say i still dont want some tightening) and im truly truly greatful. 

Ok sorry for all the dribble...here r some pictures.  Sorry they r sucky...it was really hard to take on my own.