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 have been wondering how you were feeling . . . Don't over-do it!!!

I went in for a slight fill yesterday and was surprised to find out that Patricia is no longer working for Dr. Spivak. She was there last week when I went in - any idea what happened???

I have been wondering how you were feeling . . . Don't over-do it!!!

I went in for a slight fill yesterday and was surprised to find out that Patricia is no longer working for Dr. Spivak. She was there last week when I went in - any idea what happened???

I don't think I know Patricia. Leslie is usually the one who tortures me with all the needle sticks and still never finds my port. She's as nice as can be, but she just doesn't have a knack for doing fills.

Isn't that odd - I run from Brenda, not Leslie . . .

Thanks for explaining the pain to me. I really appreciate it. It helps to know as much information as possible. Have you asked the doctor if the shooting pain is normal? I'm encouraged that with everything you've experienced you would still do it all over again. I can't wait to see more pictures.

I cant wait to see new pictures!!!!

Thanks for explaining the pain to me. I really appreciate it. It helps to know as much information as possible. Have you asked the doctor if the shooting pain is normal? I'm encouraged that with everything you've experienced you would still do it all over again. I can't wait to see more pictures.

His assistant told me that the shooting pain is normal. And I remember having the same kind of pain when I had eyelid surgery several years ago.

Now I've got another problem. The compression garment is putting too much compression on my forearms and it's resulting in some significant pain. In fact, now the forearms hurt more than the upper arms. They feel like they are badly bruised, and extending my arms fully or turning my hands palm side up is excruciating. I spoke with Dr. Heller's assistant yesterday and she told me to go back to wearing the ace bandages for a few days. That's a bit of a bummer because they are bulky and don't sit well under clothes. The pain has lessened since I took the compression garment off, but it's still there. Even resting my forearm on my desk while I use the mouse is painful. Argh. It's always something, isn't it?

Thanks so much for your story (which I have just read from the beginning). I want to have brachioplasty done NOW, but I still have to get the lapband approved by insurance. Congratulations on all your success; I'm sure all your pain will be a memory when the summer gets here and you can wear anything that you want!

Here are some new pics. Back view of compression garment, side view, and each underarm.

Your arms are so TINY !!! You must be sooooo pleased . . . I can't wait to see them in person soon at one of the meetings. :clap2:

Heaven help you with that compression garment - that thing resembles a straight-jacket . . . :omg: I can't even picture in my head how in the world you are getting in and out of it on your own - ???

Oh man, I want your arms! They look good girl! Hang in there, the pain will go away.

Thanks for posting the pictures

The incision sites look great. You are healing nicely.

Tomorrow is my follow-up appointment with Dr. Heller. I'm still experiencing a good amount of pain, so I'm going to ask for some stronger painkillers. It's difficult to sleep with the constant pain, and lack of sleep will only hinder my healing. The incisions are looking better each day, but it's still fairly slow progress. I don't think my arms will look presentable for several months. I'll post more pics soon. Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement.

Your arms must be one of the hardest places to keep still. Just to lay in bed and read would take significant movement.

I feel for you. Speedy healing.

Your arms must be one of the hardest places to keep still. Just to lay in bed and read would take significant movement.

I feel for you. Speedy healing.

Thanks, Paulax. You're right about the movement. I didn't realize how many times a day I scratch my nose or rub my eye or push my hair out of my face until moving my arms became such an issue. Just the slight movement of the arms swinging back and forth while walking is painful (too much rubbing under the arms).