A Lotta Brachioplasty Questions

[mousecat88 2,279]

Hey all. I've had batwings my whole life, even as a 130lb teenager. When I hit 286, obviously they were much worse. I do not wear short sleeve shirts in public and haven't in years. I only just now started wearing tanktops because I now go to the gym. Now that I've lost 86lbs, they are even droopier. My arms are 17" around each (approximately). I have a very hard time finding sleeves that fit, especially since the rest of my torso is no longer plus-size. I still have 64 more pounds to my "weight goal". I am hoping to get there by the end of the year or so. I am HOPING I can have the brachioplasty in December or January at the latest.

Few questions:

1) Did you have a drain?

2) How long did you need off work?

3) Subjective pain scale 1-10? I had a HUGE breast reduction with nipple graft and had zero pain, but I hear this is worse, even though both involve skin removal?

4) How long did you wait after reaching your goal to have this procedure?

5) How much did it cost total out of pocket?

6) Anything else you'd like to share! I am very excited for this and consider it my ultimate goal.

7) Will insurance pay if I am getting rashes? I do not have a large stomach that need a tuck, really, but I have the rash issue with my arms.

Will the surgery tighten the bicep area, too? I have excess skin on my biceps AND triceps.

The pic attached is me one day before surgery; you can see how large my arms are. They are even droopier now.

Edited March 22, 2019 by mousecat88

[GradyCat 3,692]

I'll be following this thread because I'm going to be in a similar situation with "bat wings" when I reach my goal hopefully by the end of the year. I'm very curious as to the answers and information people provide.

[Frustr8 7,886]

You know it's funny odd, Grady Cat, but I'm losing in my bat wings too as I lose the other weight, they are turning into baby batwibgs instead the flopper traffic stoppers they once were. This weight loss is surely unpredictable but I'm gonna hang around and see what happens next, how about you?

[Stella S 612]

1 no drain 2 16 days to return to work 3 pain - bad like real bad cause I am wimpy 4 WLS March 2015 Goal Summer of 2016 arm lift Sept 2018 5 cost 8200 or so 6 still struggling with scars and such I had PS in Dec 2016 and needed a break. I did not have fat removed - just the skin 7 no clue on insurance. Note it was rough I had an extended version to just below.elbow. Best to you!!!

[Scamp 207]

I had Brachioplasty and Breast Reduction in April 2010 - So happy, almost a decade later and am so happy

1) Did you have a drain? ========= Yes for about 2 days (I know in US you seem to have them a lot longer) I had the op on the Thursday morning and came home on Saturday morning.

2) How long did you need off work? ========= I do not work but the next Monday I was taken out to lunch - I had the Brachioplasty and a breast reduction at same time - No pain! Just a bit of swelling - But no pain......

3) Subjective pain scale ========= 1

4) How long did you wait after reaching your goal to have this procedure? I don't remember to be honest as I saw two doctors so I guess in between it was about 8 months

5) How much did it cost total out of pocket? I forget (I am in UK though so it would be meaningless to you LOL)

6) Anything else you'd like to share! I am very excited for this and consider it my ultimate goal. ========= Get compression garment from Design Veronique - They are great!

7) Will insurance pay if I am getting rashes? ========= No idea

Before I had this done I saw a picture of my arms, it broke my heart..... I felt so bad about myself because after all the weight loss I still felt a freak....

Now I feel Great!

I have attached a couple of pictures - I hope they show....

Before.... 17.02.10 - I had my Op at end of April 2010...

*EDIT*

I just found this pic - This is dated 19.05.10 - This was what the scar looked like in the beginning - It freaaaaaaaked me out when I saw it! The reason I am showing this to you now - Is so if yours looks like blanket stitch - Do not worry! In a week or two - It starts to change, and gradually starts to look just like a line.....

And....... After... 26.06.11. My scars are not perfect in these pictures - I think they are a bit better now, but I have no up to date pictures of them.... I do not notice them, I do not feel self conscious or anything. I love my new arms :-)

Edited March 24, 2019 by Scamp

[mousecat88 2,279]

Thank you! Your pics look wonderful! I won't mind a scar at all, even if it looked like the first photo.... still 100000 times better than my arms now!

[Jean E. 95]

Congratulations on your weightloss. I had the arms and thighs done at the same time almost 3 months ago. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions from my experience.

1. I had a drain in each arm for a week.

2. I was able to work from home after a week and a half.

3. Pain was about a 6 but frustration of limitations was worse. If they have to do Lipo the pain and recovery is worse. I didn’t have that. My incisions extend from below my elbow down the side of my chest about 4 inches.

4. I didn’t wait long at all after reaching my goal. (Have lost 305 lbs.)

5. Insurance paid

6. It’s a life changer

7. All companies are differentl. Take lots of pics, document, and visit your PCP if you get rashes so they are on medical record. Don’t self medicate. Insurance companies don’t like paying for those creams and such so this may help them decide to pay for the surgery.

8. The surgery should tighten both tris and bis. But it is important to work out those arms so they have good muscle structure and form to shape that skin around.

Good luck! Enjoy the ride.

[mousecat88 2,279]

11 hours ago, Jean E. said:

Congratulations on your weightloss. I had the arms and thighs done at the same time almost 3 months ago. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions from my experience.

1. I had a drain in each arm for a week.

2. I was able to work from home after a week and a half.

3. Pain was about a 6 but frustration of limitations was worse. If they have to do Lipo the pain and recovery is worse. I didn’t have that. My incisions extend from below my elbow down the side of my chest about 4 inches.

4. I didn’t wait long at all after reaching my goal. (Have lost 305 lbs.)

5. Insurance paid

6. It’s a life changer

7. All companies are differentl. Take lots of pics, document, and visit your PCP if you get rashes so they are on medical record. Don’t self medicate. Insurance companies don’t like paying for those creams and such so this may help them decide to pay for the surgery.

8. The surgery should tighten both tris and bis. But it is important to work out those arms so they have good muscle structure and form to shape that skin around.

Good luck! Enjoy the ride.

Wow! Totally amazing! I am so psyched for this. It's been my dreeeeaaammm to have my arms done, even long before I even considered WLS. Basically for the last 16 years.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

On 3/25/2019 at 8:41 PM, Jean E. said:

arms and thighs done at the same time almost 3 months ago

The surgery should tighten both tris and bis.

@Jean E.

holy moly girlfriend

look at those lean, mean arms☺️

you worked through the pain, look at you now!!

kathy

congrats

[ms.sss 14,617]

On 3/25/2019 at 8:41 PM, Jean E. said:

Congratulations on your weightloss. I had the arms and thighs done at the same time almost 3 months ago. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions from my experience.

1. I had a drain in each arm for a week.

2. I was able to work from home after a week and a half.

3. Pain was about a 6 but frustration of limitations was worse. If they have to do Lipo the pain and recovery is worse. I didn’t have that. My incisions extend from below my elbow down the side of my chest about 4 inches.

4. I didn’t wait long at all after reaching my goal. (Have lost 305 lbs.)

5. Insurance paid

6. It’s a life changer

7. All companies are differentl. Take lots of pics, document, and visit your PCP if you get rashes so they are on medical record. Don’t self medicate. Insurance companies don’t like paying for those creams and such so this may help them decide to pay for the surgery.

8. The surgery should tighten both tris and bis. But it is important to work out those arms so they have good muscle structure and form to shape that skin around.

Good luck! Enjoy the ride.

Wow, thanks for the info and pics...the transformation is AMAZING!!

I'm about 25 lbs to goal, and hopefully will be following in your footsteps soon after! So long, batwings!

[DanaC84 1,116]

On 03/25/2019 at 19:41, Jean E. said:

Congratulations on your weightloss. I had the arms and thighs done at the same time almost 3 months ago. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions from my experience.

1. I had a drain in each arm for a week.

2. I was able to work from home after a week and a half.

3. Pain was about a 6 but frustration of limitations was worse. If they have to do Lipo the pain and recovery is worse. I didn’t have that. My incisions extend from below my elbow down the side of my chest about 4 inches.

4. I didn’t wait long at all after reaching my goal. (Have lost 305 lbs.)

5. Insurance paid

6. It’s a life changer

7. All companies are differentl. Take lots of pics, document, and visit your PCP if you get rashes so they are on medical record. Don’t self medicate. Insurance companies don’t like paying for those creams and such so this may help them decide to pay for the surgery.

8. The surgery should tighten both tris and bis. But it is important to work out those arms so they have good muscle structure and form to shape that skin around.

Good luck! Enjoy the ride.

Fantastic tip about working out beforehand to build up those muscles . I’ve been doing some, but I might as well up my game now! (Have a long way to go but can never be too early to dream)

[BrighterSide 242]

I had Brachioplasty and Breast Reduction in April 2010 - So happy, almost a decade later and am so happy

1) Did you have a drain? ========= Yes for about 2 days (I know in US you seem to have them a lot longer) I had the op on the Thursday morning and came home on Saturday morning.

2) How long did you need off work? ========= I do not work but the next Monday I was taken out to lunch - I had the Brachioplasty and a breast reduction at same time - No pain! Just a bit of swelling - But no pain......

3) Subjective pain scale ========= 1

4) How long did you wait after reaching your goal to have this procedure? I don't remember to be honest as I saw two doctors so I guess in between it was about 8 months

5) How much did it cost total out of pocket? I forget (I am in UK though so it would be meaningless to you LOL)

6) Anything else you'd like to share! [emoji4] I am very excited for this and consider it my ultimate goal. ========= Get compression garment from Design Veronique - They are great!

7) Will insurance pay if I am getting rashes? ========= No idea

Before I had this done I saw a picture of my arms, it broke my heart..... I felt so bad about myself because after all the weight loss I still felt a freak....

Now I feel Great!

I have attached a couple of pictures - I hope they show....

Before.... 17.02.10 - I had my Op at end of April 2010...

*EDIT*
I just found this pic - This is dated 19.05.10 - This was what the scar looked like in the beginning - It freaaaaaaaked me out when I saw it! The reason I am showing this to you now - Is so if yours looks like blanket stitch - Do not worry! In a week or two - It starts to change, and gradually starts to look just like a line.....

And....... After... 26.06.11. My scars are not perfect in these pictures - I think they are a bit better now, but I have no up to date pictures of them.... I do not notice them, I do not feel self conscious or anything. I love my new arms :-)

Hi there, fellow UK peep here with plans for plastics one day so would be fab to know who your surgeon was and the cost in our old money. Results look incredible!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ms.sss 14,617]

So I had consult appointment with the first of 3 plastic surgeons I've lined up to meet and got some unexpected feedback.

First he said that I "did not have that much excess skin". Which to me is just crazy talk. He said that yes, I am a good candidate for an arm lift, but that I did not have what he would call bat wings. ???

Second he said that based on what he sees from my previous breast reduction (circa 2006) and my laparoscopic scars from my sleeve surgery last October, that I have "pigmented scarring" and that I will likely have significantly noticeable scars after the procedure. 😞 He told me to go on RealSelf.com and find examples of this type of scarring and see if I was willing to live with it.

Third, we also talked about Tummy Tucks and, and upon examination, said I could be happy with just a mini Tummy Tuck instead of a full one because my abdominal muscles are quite tight and that my excess skin is all below my belly button. Which is good news as a mini tummy tuck is much less expensive than a full one.

Fourth, I thought it would be a separate procedure, but a reduction of the size of the mons pubis is included in the tummy tuck/mini-tummy tuck. Again, good news as this makes the total less expensive.

Will be getting his quotes on the various procedures combined, un-combined, etc by tomorrow, so i'll see if the prices don't make me pass out.

2 more surgeons to see....

Edited April 25, 2019 by ms.sss

[Jean E. 95]

Keep up the good research. You are doing a great job!

[mousecat88 2,279]

On 4/25/2019 at 4:51 PM, ms.sss said:

So I had consult appointment with the first of 3 plastic surgeons I've lined up to meet and got some unexpected feedback.

First he said that I "did not have that much excess skin". Which to me is just crazy talk. He said that yes, I am a good candidate for an arm lift, but that I did not have what he would call bat wings. ???

Second he said that based on what he sees from my previous breast reduction (circa 2006) and my laparoscopic scars from my sleeve surgery last October, that I have "pigmented scarring" and that I will likely have significantly noticeable scars after the procedure. 😞 He told me to go on RealSelf.com and find examples of this type of scarring and see if I was willing to live with it.

Third, we also talked about Tummy Tucks and, and upon examination, said I could be happy with just a mini Tummy Tuck instead of a full one because my abdominal muscles are quite tight and that my excess skin is all below my belly button. Which is good news as a mini Tummy Tuck is much less expensive than a full one.

Fourth, I thought it would be a separate procedure, but a reduction of the size of the mons pubis is included in the tummy tuck/mini-tummy tuck. Again, good news as this makes the total less expensive.

Will be getting his quotes on the various procedures combined, un-combined, etc by tomorrow, so i'll see if the prices don't make me pass out.

2 more surgeons to see....

I am going to consult with two surgeons - the one who did my breast reduction doesn't take insurance for tummy tucks, but I still want to consider him for the arm lift because I trust his work. I have my 6 month appt on 5/6 and I'm going to get a referral for the bariatric office's preferential plastic surgeon then, too. I am working on gathering docs to take out a second mortgage to pay for the plastics so I need to start getting quotes.

All of my excess skin is below the belly button, too, so that's good to hear, in case insurance won't pay because it isn't "severe" enough.

Edited April 29, 2019 by mousecat88