Hi all, I am 2.5 years from sleeve surgery and despite wanting to lose another 20-25 pounds, my body seems to have settled into it's new set point at appx 170lbs. I have a tremendous amount of loose skin but am most troubled by my arms. I can hide everything else in clothes. I am conflicted on considering an arm lift only with so much loose skin everywhere else. I really can't see how i could consider anything else while still having at least another 20-30pounds to lose (and I am not ready to give up on the dream that I might lose a little bit more over the long term). But at the same time, I recognize that I might never reach goal and if that is going to be the case, I really want to address the arm issue so I can finally wear short sleeve shirts, etc. All suggestions, thoughts are greatly welcomed. I would also love to hear from anyone on whatto expect from an arm lift recovery. Thanks in advance and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Yes I am on the same page as you. In summer I want the arm skin gone but come winter, I look good, so why would I ? My surgeon and his team has said how tough a surgery it is and doesn't recommend it for me. Then if I had the arms done would all the rest off me look worse ? I imagine so. I have not the money to do any more surgery in the UK and am frightened to go abroad for the cheaper options.

i had 3 procedures done: arm lift, tummy tuck & breast lift.

if i was told i could only choose 1, i'd pick arm lift every time. like u said, other areas are easily camouflaged by clothes/undergarments...but u cant hide ur arms in tank tops/short sleeves.

ask ur surgeon what his thoughts are on ur results if you were to lose an additional 20-25 lbs AFTER an arm lift...it *may* be negligible?

good luck! ❤️

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by ms.sss

dupe

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by ms.sss

dupe.

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by ms.sss

Thank you!! I had my first consult yesterday and was shocked that he thought I could have a tummy tuck now (thought I had to lose more weight). I ended up getting a quote for an arm lift, tummy tuck and breast lift… I’m leaning towards a tummy tuck and arm lift … do you mind me asking how long was your recovery and if any of the procedures were done at the same time? This surgeon will only combine the arm lift/breast lift and the tummy tuck would have to be a separate surgery even if i don’t do the breast lift.. I was really hoping to only go through this once .. I have a few other consults lined up.. I’m excited and absolutely terrified:)

1 hour ago, Dani64519 said:

… do you mind me asking how long was your recovery

i was told it would take anywhere from 1-3 months. i took over 3 months because i did too much too soon and busted open my stitches twice. oopsies.

so at between 3-4 months i had no more bandages, all my stitches (original and new) had all dissolved, and i could stand upright and had about 85% range or motion in my arms...it took about 7-8 months for me to fully "raise my arms in the air and swing 'em like i just dont care" ???

but essentially at about 4 months i could do everything i was doing pre-PS except for the aforementioned arm-swinging.

(oh and i was swollen/bloated, in lesser and lesser degrees - mostly in my abdomen - for about 6-7 months...but this didn't stop me from doing anything so i don't count it as something to recover from, if that makes sense?)

1 hour ago, Dani64519 said:

and if any of the procedures were done at the same time? This surgeon will only combine the arm lift/breast lift and the tummy tuck would have to be a separate surgery even if i don’t do the breast lift..

my surgeon did all three (breast lift, arm lift and tummy tuck) all at the same time. it all depends on the surgeon and how long they are willing to keep u under, at what speed the work, if they will have an assistant, etc..

he told me he didn't want me under longer than 6 hours and that he could do all 3 within those hours. i believe i was in the recovery room in 5 and a half hours.

i will say though that i was on the smaller side on surgery day (doc said i was the smallest person he's ever worked on)...so this may contribute to the shorter surgery time? i dunno...

i had very very little actual fat to remove...it was basically just excess skin. the "material" he removed weighed a measley 400g . but oh what a difference 400g makes lol.

dupe

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by ms.sss

Thank you so much! This is very helpful, I’m hoping one of the other docs will consider doing the tummy tuck and arm lift together.. in the meantime I’ll keep focusing on losing the last few pounds, I’ve been in maintenance for 18months.. not having any trouble maintaining but the last 20 just don’t want to come off.. lol