Having been inspired by JulieNYC, Puddin, and TheGhost, I decided to start a thread to chronicle the brachioplasty I will hopefully be having soon. I started at 218 lbs and had my lap-band surgery on 1/17/07 by Dr. Spivak in Houston. As of today, I'm at 144 lbs. I still have 26 more to lose.

On Friday, Oct 26th, I went to see Dr. Lior Heller about having a brachioplasty (my weight was 148 on that day). My plan was to see him for the consultation and schedule the surgery for late December. I figured I'd be within 10-15 lbs of my goal weight by then. Well, Dr. Heller is doing a TV show for a local news channel and told me if I could lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks, he would waive his surgical fee and use me for the TV show. I've lost 3.5 lbs since last Friday. I'm eating between 400-500 calories and walking 4-6 miles every day. Keep your fingers crossed that I meet the goal.

If I don't make it on the TV show, the brachioplasty will cost me a little over $5,000. If I'm on the TV show, I only have to pay $3,000 for the OR and anesthesiologist. I'm also planning to have a breast lift, tummy tuck, and thigh lift next year, so I need to save as much money as I can. I planned to do the brachioplasty soon because I don't think much more fat will come off my arms. All the excess weight seems to be in my stomach, hips, and thighs now. Although I'm not at goal yet, I wanted to have the brachioplasty this winter in order to be healed enough to wear sleeveless tops in the summer. And in Houston, summer starts in March.

These are my most recent before and after pics. I take some pictures of my naked arms soon.

I hope this surgery is a great success! I would love for all of us, to feel good, and look good, in our own skins. I have a long way to go, but I am well on my way. You are inspiring to see, and I will be watching for details as you go. My thoughts and prayers will be with you daily, as you enter this portion of your journey. May this become an opportunity for you to feel, as beautiful as you appear to be, to me. Offering all my support....Kimberly

:clap2:You look so terrific! You are an inspiration to me. I am not yet banded but hope to be soon. Congrats on your remarkable transformation. Good luck on whatever surgery you plan next. Regards, Deb

enterprise,

i think its a very personal decision to have PS, if YOU are unhappy with your arms and want to do something about it, i feel you shouldnt have to justify it...

you meet with the surgeon next week? you'll do fabulously and i'm sure he will be impressed with the amount of weight you've lost!

Yup, I agree with this. If YOU think you need PS, go for it. After all, you are the only one that has to live with your body full-time. You might as well be happy with it.

Wishing you the best and hoping that the doctor comes through for you! How's your weight loss now?

Wishing you the best and hoping that the doctor comes through for you! How's your weight loss now?

Very frustrated with the weight loss right now. It had been holding steady at 13 pounds down, so I increased the exercise. Saturday I walked 9 miles, Sunday 8, and Monday 8.5. Guess what? I was up by 5 pounds this morning! It must be Water weight. I had some very salty ham and olives yesterday, so I'm hoping that's the problem. My eyes are very puffy today, too. I'll take a diurectic tonight and see if that fixes it. There is just no way I could gain weight with all that exercise (and it's not leisurely walking - I'm doing 15 minute miles). Also, I haven't gone over 600 calories a day.

You are right enterprise01 - there is no way it could be real weight! You would have had to consume what, like - 17,500 extra calories to gain 5 pounds!

Hang in there - I am sure it will be gone in a day or two.

You may be building up some muscle with all the exercise. Don't push too hard, you don't want to ruin your health with so little calories. Also, I was at a lecture yesterday with a guy from Apex (Body Bugg makers) and he said that vitamins are your most important weight loss tool. Why? Because when you restrict your calories you can't get enough nutrition and your body will slow you down in subtle ways if it feels deprived. I know that my doc insisted that we take vitamins. I just mention to gently remind you to do it and to take care of yourself. Can't wait to hear what happens and your experience with the surgery.

Enterprise, did you go see the doctor today? I am hoping for an update. I can't imagine walking that many miles - you should feel proud of all you have accomplished.

Tulip

Dr. Heller moved my appt to 4:00 pm today, so I'm just now getting home after running some errands. Good news - he is going to use me for the TV show. Yay! The surgery will be on either Nov. 27 or 28.

He was pleased with the weight I've lost. He commented that it seems that the weight came off my face and my lower body, but not my arms. That's good because it's an indication that although I'm still 20 lbs from goal, I'm probably not going to lose any more from my arms. So it's OK to go ahead and do the brachioplasty now.

We talked for quite some time about the scars. He said that he could tell by looking at me that I have a "high aesthetic standard" and he's concerned that I won't find the scars acceptable. He also said that some women would be happy to have the arms that I have now. I've given this a lot of thought, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be less bothered by the scars than the flab I currently have. Although he can't do a mini-lift, he doesn't think he'll have to go all the way to the elbow with the scar. He's going to minimize it as much as he can.

I called my mom right away and she's flying in from Atlanta on Nov 26 and will stay with me for about 10 days. Julie, if you are reading this, do you think 10 days is enough or should I ask my mom to stay longer? Also, do you have any advice on things to beware, things you didn't expect, or things you wish you had thought of before the surgery? I bought a pillow for under my knees because I figure I'll have to sleep on my back for at least 2 weeks. I'm a side sleeper, so that will be tough for me. Should I buy some shirts that button up the front or will I be able to pull shirts over my head without any problem? How did you do with the drains? Dr. Heller said that the drains could be in for 2 days or 2 weeks. Will I be able to hide the drains sufficiently with a cardigan sweater? Any advice would be appreciated.

Best of luck to you. We're all rooting for you...

Awesome enterprise01 !!! I will be following your progress.

Yea enterprise! I'm glad he is going to be able to do your surgery for the show! I like that he is honest about the scars. Doctors who downplay potential complications/outcomes drive me nuts

good luck with your journey- not too much longer!!!

OMG girl you've been approved. I'm so excited for you!!!

Congratulations on having the surgery with no surgeon fee! Yipee. Celebrate and start getting excited for the next step - just one more improvement!

Keep us posted and updated.

I'll keep you in my prayers, even though I know that everything will turn out wonderful. You will be in good hands.

YAY!! how exciting! i am so happy for you!