bvom
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
Surgery
10/14/2008
Surgery Date
Feb 21, 2006
Member Since