A Tale of Two Arm Lifts (rs & ms.sss)

[mousecat88 2,281]

2 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

Bwha-hahhahhaa 😂

No I haven't tried, but now I think I have to 😂😂😂

Though i find that if I touch anywhere on my lower abdomen I feel it behind my belly button?!? #yikes

I think that weird sensation I had where I touched one spot on my incision I could feel it halfway up my torso FINALLY went away. That was freaky.

1 minute ago, ms.sss said:

Yep, its official. You have like Wolverine-level healing abilities.

Hey, this is like the only surgery I've ever has where I didn't have horrible complications. I'll take it! lol. And also my breast reduction. Maybe I am just made for plastic surgery.

[sillykitty 10,789]

On 12/31/2019 at 9:33 AM, 2Bsmaller18 said:

How many days post op we’re all of you able to drive? Go to the grocery store by yourself etc?

No arm lift here, but Tummy Tuck and breast aug. I drove for the first time 17 days post op, ran errands etc. I had no issue, and could have done it probably at 10-12 days post op if I needed to. But ould have n=been more winded from the errands earlier in my recovery

[sillykitty 10,789]

Random comments ...

@ms.sss I'm very surprised it has taken you so long to stand up straight. I wonder if the tt tightening is compounded by the breast list?

I also find the more I move the less stiff I am. But once you're stiff it's hard to get moving ... a conundrum ....

@mousecat88 My belly button is still a little scabby, but seems no deeper than previous. I wouldn't expect it to be really. It's my same belly button, in the same place, just with new skin around it.

@rs Glad you're not being tortured by your previous compression gear. That made me cringe just thinking about it!

[ms.sss 15,837]

18 minutes ago, sillykitty said:

@ms.sss I'm very surprised it has taken you so long to stand up straight. I wonder if the tt tightening is compounded by the breast list? 

Honestly, the breast lift aspect of this has been a non-issue this entire time. I've had zero pain or discomfort from it since the beginning. I think perhaps its because I didn't move enough in the beginning. I was probably enjoying being waited on too much...lol

[sillykitty 10,789]

1 minute ago, ms.sss said:

Honestly, the breast lift aspect of this has been a non-issue this entire time. I've had zero pain or discomfort from it since the beginning. I think perhaps its because I didn't move enough in the beginning. I was probably enjoying being waited on too much...lol

I doubt you moved less than I did. I was stuck in a hotel room for 2 solid weeks

[2Bsmaller18 437]

Another question for you. Based on the arm lift when would you be able to color your hair at home? I am guessing the 3rd maybe 4th week?

Were you able to physically tie your own shoes, get dressed etc after a few days? When would you have been able to help a child tie their shoes etc? I am trying to figure out a guess of recovery and scheduling.

[ms.sss 15,837]

1 hour ago, 2Bsmaller18 said:

Another question for you. Based on the arm lift when would you be able to color your hair at home? I am guessing the 3rd maybe 4th week?

Were you able to physically tie your own shoes, get dressed etc after a few days? When would you have been able to help a child tie their shoes etc? I am trying to figure out a guess of recovery and scheduling.

If I had to, I would have been able to tie my shoelaces and put on my socks pants, etc by myself (I didn't though cuz I had Mr. and the Kid do it for me).

Anything bending down or reaching down was doable, even on the first day back home. It's when I had to do anything that required lifting my arms up that I had/have issue with.

In terms of reachability for colouring hair, I was able to comb/brush the ends of my short hair by end of 1st week. I could reach the top of my head about 10 days PO...but I had to duck my head down. I still have to duck it down a bit today at 2 weeks post-op. Right now the highest I can raise my arms is the point where my elbows are maybe an inch just below my shoulders. Anything higher and I can feel a tightness/stretching that is uncomfortable.

With that said, everyone is different. @mousecat88 was able to do so much so soon afterwards. She was able to do more at 2 days post op than I can do now at 2 weeks post-op... 🤷🏼‍♀️

[mousecat88 2,281]

this is my belly button currently. it definitely goes in quite a bit. can't wait for the redness to decrease.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

[mousecat88 2,281]

PS I hate my stretch marks!!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[mousecat88 2,281]

2 hours ago, 2Bsmaller18 said:

Another question for you. Based on the arm lift when would you be able to color your hair at home? I am guessing the 3rd maybe 4th week?

Were you able to physically tie your own shoes, get dressed etc after a few days? When would you have been able to help a child tie their shoes etc? I am trying to figure out a guess of recovery and scheduling.

Coloring your hair would probably be 3rd or 4th week. The incisions/scar tissue gets tight and you have to keep stretching it and massaging it out. Holding your arms above your head that long would probably be uncomfortable. I do a few overhead tricep extensions and lat pulls at the gym and it does feel tight and I am 7ish weeks post-op. But that's a full extension and not bent, which your arms would be while coloring, I presume.

Edited January 2, 2020 by mousecat88

[ms.sss 15,837]

9 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

But that's a full extension and not bent, which your arms would be while coloring, I presume.

Good point. I can raise my arms higher if I keep them straight. When they are bent at the elbows, the range of motion is much smaller.

[mousecat88 2,281]

this is the extent of my scarring on my arms. looks lighter actually, but I'm in a dark office right now. lol. that line underneath is just from the seam of my compression garment.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Edited January 2, 2020 by mousecat88

[ms.sss 15,837]

4 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

this is the extent of my scarring on my arms. looks lighter actually, but I'm in a dark office right now. lol. that line underneath is just from the seam of my compression garment.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow. And you are at 7 weeks? At this rate your scars will be virtually invisible by springtime. Just in time for t-shirt weather!

[mousecat88 2,281]

My tummy scar looks about the same. A little darker in the center right above my pubic area... but I was told that area has a tendency to pull the most. Meh. I am happy with it! Going to keep up with the Calendula and basic moisturizing. No expensive scar creams or anything.

[2Bsmaller18 437]

29 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

this is the extent of my scarring on my arms. looks lighter actually, but I'm in a dark office right now. lol. that line underneath is just from the seam of my compression garment.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using BariatricPal mobile app

WOW. That looks amazing already. I bet it fades and will not be noticeable.