A month post-plastics

Feb 02, 2011

I had my brachioplasty and inner thigh lift done on Dec 29th.  It was a bit of a hassle since I now live in SW CT and my surgery was done at Mass General.  I've had to make a handful of trips back up there (170 miles or so) but I think it was worth it since MGH is where I've had ALL my surgeries and my plastic surgeon came highly recommended by my RNY surgeon!

The surgery lasted 6.5 hours.  I had lipo done, too.  My surgeon said she removed approximately 950 cc of fat from each thigh and 450 cc from each arm.  The amount of skin?  I don't have the numbers.  She said skin weighs surprisingly little so the amount is negligible (even though there was a LOT!)  My incisions go from my elbow, under the arm and in a T at my arm-pit.  My leg incisions go from a few inches past my knee, up, on either side of my girly parts and almost to my (moved due to panni removal..so lower than norma!) belly button.

Recovery was rough.  I was in MGH for one night.  I was tempted to stay an extra night but a: I self paid and it would cost $1,000 a night and b: I just wanted to go HOME.  I was sore and the thought of going up and down the stairs repeatedly to my bedroom made me wanna cry so I slept on the couch for the first few nights.  My husband was a great help!

I'm not gonna lie.  This surgery hurt.  It still does!  I greatly underestimated the recovery time.  There are still times when I'm wincing in pain.  I don't have the full range of motion back yet.  However, things are healing BEAUTIFULLY.  I've been able to resume doing little things around the house -- laundry (hubby carries it up and down stairs though!), baking, emptying the dishwasher (but not putting things on the top shelves..hurts!) -- since the start of week 3. 

I'm wearing compression garments on my arms (sleeves) and spanx for lower body support.  I was using a medical grade lower body compression garment but it KILLED me so my doc said I could switch.  I was also wearing compression stockings on my legs but because of the lymphedema, they were so tight, it was making my legs bleed,..those were ditched after a week w/ my surgeons blessing.

All in all, I'm very happy!  Will I be wearing shorts this summer?  No...I don't have the confidence for that -- but clothes fit me SO much better!  I'm feeling a lot better about my naked self.  Tank tops?  A very distinct possibility!  My arms aren't skinny -- shoot, I still weigh 244 lbs and have lost 358 lbs!  But they're beautifully proportioned now and I no longer risk knocking someone out w/ my extra skin when I wave my arms.  heh

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About Me
CT
Location
39.1
BMI
RNY
Surgery
10/14/2008
Surgery Date
Feb 21, 2006
Member Since

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