rs

Oh goodness why in the world would he wait until now to say something. 🤨

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

I won't fit into my pants for for the next 3 days of xmas parties!!!! And I have really cute pants!!!!

Oh that sux 😠

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

BTW, my fellow Winter PS patients, do you find yourselves a little more emotional than usual....????

I haven't noticed a difference. But I'm post menopause which might be a factor.

7 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

Day 5 Update:

P.S. I haven't taken any pictures yet. I missed my chance after my shower today as I forgot and put my garments back on. I can't really see much of the incision as they are covered with steri-stips anyway, but I'll try to remember at tomorrow's shower time...

Thanks for the update. And the tip about Benadryl. I haven't had much itching (yet). I wonder why.

On 12/22/2019 at 5:36 PM, rs said:

On 12/22/2019 at 3:23 PM, ms.sss said:

What other procedures are you looking to get?

Circumferential LBL which will include TT, lower back skin, and butt lift. Probably a breast lift and might need implants too because I pretty much have nothing left after WL. Good news is that this extended arm lift has helped with side boob and actually it seems as if upper back skin is better so shouldn't need to combine breast lift with upper back lift. Depending on how LBL turns out then maybe inner thigh surgery.

Found out that the upper back looks good because the excess skin has slid to the lower back - looks like I have two saggy boobs in the back (to match the two in the front 🤣). I was hoping that skin could be taken care of as part of a LBL but the Dr said it actually needs to be part of an upper body lift. So for sure I'm going to want at least two more surgeries eventually - upper body lift including breasts (probably with implants), and circumferential LBL. Just not sure which would be my priority. I have plenty of time to decide since it will take forever to find the money.

38 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

This actually brings me ask another question...for those out there who had arm lifts? Can you see your incision line when you look down?

@ms.sss I don't see the incision lines from the front with my arms down by my side. However I had my husband take a picture of the back view with arms down by side and I can see part of the incision on my left arm. And I'm not happy! Both he and the Dr said to wait until the swelling is all gone and healed. I sure hope they're right because I get very upset every time I think about it! I don't want to post pics because it really bothers me. Except for that I'm been happy with the surgery. Arms are definitely slimmer which is awesome. And side boob seems to be taken care of.

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

Did he say how long you have to wear the bandages for?

@ms.sss ideally he wanted the garment on for 4 weeks, so I'm sure the same for the ace bandages. I am definitely happier with them compared to that garment, but they seem to come unraveled at the bottom of the arms after awhile. Gotta figure out how to make that not happen. I brought the dumb garment back home. I may get gutsy and try it again in a few days. Maybe it'll be easier when the swelling is decreased.

Just came home from mine. Drains are out!!!!! OMG they felt weird coming out.
Off to a long awaited shower.....[emoji1373]

Enjoy your shower! On my way home now from my appointment. I hardly noticed the drains coming out. Biggest win: He's ok with ace bandages instead of that God awful garment! Yay! I have one on each arm plus another one for the side boob and under arm area which goes all the way around my chest and back. So much better!

I had a hard time with my compression garment the first couple of weeks, too (actually, even longer since I had some issues off & on with my incisions), so I wrapped my arms up in ace bandages instead.

I'm going to ask about using ace bandages instead of that dang garment.

aww...sorry to hear about your continued troubles with that wretched garment of yours! Perhaps your Dr. can give you some ace bandages to use instead? Or maybe he/she'll say you don't even have to wear anything anymore *crosses fingers*.

I took the boob bandages off a couple hours ago cuz the itching was driving me crazy. Happy to report no blisters! I replaced the bandages with a previously approved sports bra, which fits looser than it did before...does this mean my boobs got even smaller???? To me they look the same size, just perkier and higher...am going to need to get re-measured later to figure out. And with the boob bandages gone, the arm garment/shrug is loose again across the bodice, but the sports bra is at least keeping it in place (am wearing the bra over the arm garment/shrug).

I'm sooooooo looking forward to my own shower today! My surgeon says when drains come out, I can shower...which is in exactly in 8 hours and 18 minutes from now.

Were you able to reach up and wash your hair on your own?

Yes, was able to wash my hair. Kinda surprised actually. In the waiting room at Dr appointment now. Definitely going to ask about ace bandages. Looking forward to getting these drains out too.

@ms.sss finally took a shower today and washed my hair. Did ok. Wore the drains on a lanyard as the Dr and others recommended. Washed the compression garment and let it air dry all day. Went to put it back on tonight and, as expected, I just couldn't do it. Pulling it up the arms made me cry. So I put on a long sleeve shirt of mine with the tightest sleeves possible. Just going to wear this instead. Will wear it to my Dr appt tomorrow too. Just can't handle that garment!

What other procedures are you looking to get?

Circumferential LBL which will include TT, lower back skin, and butt lift. Probably a breast lift and might need implants too because I pretty much have nothing left after WL. Good news is that this extended arm lift has helped with side boob and actually it seems as if upper back skin is better so shouldn't need to combine breast lift with upper back lift. Depending on how LBL turns out then maybe inner thigh surgery.

@sillykitty so are you done with all the cosmetic surgeries you wanted to have? Remind me, did you pay out of pocket for everything? I have to have mine done in stages because I just can't afford it all at once.

Thank you! I’ll check it out. How are you feeling?

Mostly discomfort from this garment. Pretty pain free unless I bump an incision or stretch my arm in a way that pulls on the incision.

8 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

@rs : just thought of another thing to ask you...you mentioned that it hurt you to pull on and off the garment...are your incisions covered? I have a multitude of perpendicularly placed steri-strips all covered with these silicone gel-type pads. The garment that I have slips right over them (mind you it is a little loose on me, but still).

@ms.sss yes I have those strips too. I think there are several issues at play that causes the pain: possible blood stuck from arm to garment, feeling more bruising type pain when touched, and could be simply that the garment is just too tight/small. Gonna suck it up two more days then see what the Dr says on Monday. I can't remember if I am supposed to keep wearing it after then.

11 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

I was also thinking that maybe the garment they gave you isn't the right size/fit for you.

@ms.sss I've been wondering the same thing. It simply just might be too small. I've only got 2 more days until my follow up Dr appointment so I'll tough it out until then. I'll see what he says on Monday.

https://www.annetteonline.com/products/annette-womens-arm-sleeve-compression-garment-10641bra

I had an extended arm lift Dec 16. My Dr gave me my compression garment so I'm not sure exactly which one it is but it looks like the one linked below. Has hooks in the front and the back. It's a good design. I've just struggled with it, but I think I would have had issues with any style. The point of the garment is compression and I just don't like all that tightness. Good luck with your surgery!

@ms.sss where in Canada do you live? I'm in WA state, a couple hours from Vancouver.

29 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

How are you feeling today @rs?

Meh. I unhooked this dang garment again today because it's so unbearable. I also pulled up the sleeves to above my elbow because it hurts so bad when I bend my arm. Kinda dumb because now the only purpose this garment is serving is to hold the pinned drain tubes lol. Still haven't taken a shower. Waiting until Sunday. Will take the garment completely off for that, and use a lanyard to hang the drain tubes on. I shudder thinking about putting that damn garment back on afterward! With the garment open now I can see the side boob scar. So purply and scary looking. Going stir crazy now after so many days of not leaving the house.

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you're doing really well! And with a TT too! #jealous

Dang! Everyone looks amazing as usual. Where do you get all your gorgeous outfits?!!! Everyone is TINY!!!!!
Christmas Party tonight. Yes or no?
  

You look fantastic!

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

for 4-6 weeks

I don't think I have to keep mine on that long but I'll find out on Monday at my follow up appointment. I just unhooked the back again a few m minutes ago. This thing is going to send me to my grave... before I can even see how pretty my arms are!

1 hour ago, ms.sss said:

well, my surgeon said he wasnt going to do one continuous incision, but earlier i asked the nurse if it was one line and she said yes

Through the arm pit and partially down the side to bottom bra line?

8 hours ago, sillykitty said:

And conversely, I was allowed showers without restriction after 48 hrs, with my drain in, and no compression gear. Seems like plastic surgeons have as many different protocols as bariatric surgeons do

I was allowed the same - shower, drains, garment off. I've just been too chicken to do so. Scared of the pain of putting this dang garment back on.