I wore compression sleeves for 6 months and am very happy with the long term results (well, 21 mo post-op). With arms, the long term downside is visible scars. If your arms swell, that puts stress on the inscisons and will make the scars more visible.

I had my surgery in early July and needed A****il October. I got extra sleeves - one wash one on. Also, I had help - no stretching for 6 weeks - put everything from your cabinets on your counters, etc.

I had bi lat breast lift withOUT implants - lipoed fat from saddlebags to breasts - finished at a B-, which is where I always was.

So, some things to think about:

1- how extensive an arm lift. I needed the full zip - from 3 inches below elbow up, through armpit, and down about 6 inches to where the bottom on my bra band would be. I have NO sweat glands left or armpit hair - that is how much was removed.

2-I am a teacher, so early summer was my only option. If I could, the winter would be easier. Sweat is NOT your friend - until the tissue heals, sweat does not work its way to your skin surface, it fills in the area where tissue is damage and causes swelling. This is not so much an issue for the breast lift, because the scars are not visible.

3-you will need help for the fisrt week. I found a elec recliner on craigss list for

I hope you have pain medication? For the itch, you could try a children's dose of benadryl. That, and the benadryl spray, helped me.

It sucks that you have to wait to shower until your drains are out. I was allowed to two days post-op for all of my reconstructive surgeries.

And, yes, having to rely on someone else sucks, especially when they start to be resentful.

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain! Did your PS give you anything for pain? I am 2 weeks post op from LBL and was sent home with Percocet and took that which really helped. The first few days I was taking 2 every 6 hours as prescribed, then dropped to 1 then dropped to 1/2 then only took 1/2 when needed (usually before bed or shower) then switched to Tylenol. I haven't needed any pain meds for a few days now and haven't had Percocet in about a week. If you don't have pain meds maybe ask your PS.

Good luck and hope it gets easier soon. I didn't have the same procedure as u but for me now at 2 weeks post op I'm back to work, and independent although I still sleep in the recliner because it's more comfortable. Good luck and keep us posted!

I've been icing. 2 days post op lbl....it does feel s bit better. I'm putting the ice packs on top of my tank top. I'm allowed a showe r today. Can't wait.

Greetings all!Well its been an interesting 4 days. Quite challening, especially walking around and getting in and out of bed. I understood there would be pain, but, DAMMNNNN.... The incision part, near pubic area, feels like a RED HOT knife slicing me when i attempt to get into and out of bed. Oh, and the binder i have on my waist is super itchy, which im trying to ignore as much as possible. The bandages on my arms make me itch also. Im swollen in places i didnt think i would be swollen, but i did some searching online and found out that this is normal and should go away in a few months. Hoping to get these drains out sometime next week. I would truly love to take a shower...i feel so gross. And having to rely on my bf to assist me with getting up from the recliner chair (which i had to buy so i can sleep in cuz its easier than trying to get out of the bed), and i feel like im a burden on bf cuz he has to take care of the housework, me, and all of our animals. (we have 6 dogs, 2 cats, some fish, and a pig)....so needless to say, he is getting frustrated with dealing with everything, which in turn makes me frustrated cuz i cant do anything to help :( I despise relying on other people to help me. Id rather do things for myself.

My arm pain isnt too bad. At times it gets quite painful, but its not too bad.Its just the TT pain that kills me. I just want to be able to walk erect rather than being hunched over looking at the floor. ANd to top it off, from walking around hunched over all the time, is causing severe pain in my lower back. Cant win. LOL

im sorry if this sounds more like a complaint post. Im just hoping someone will tell me that everything i am feeling and experiencing is normal.

Pain level is about a 4 or 5 when sitting and not moving. At times, when moving, the pain level goes up to like 10 or 11.

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