Longtime lurker, first time poster. Some background: RNY Sept. 2023, 110 lb. lost and maintained thus far. In March 2025, I had an arm lift and breast lift (no implants) to remove extra skin and tighten things up. I am very pleased with the results overall [my arms are amazing], but I have had a complication that I want to help others be aware of. My surgeon recommended a Galaflex mesh "internal bra", which he said would help keep things "perky" - it is meant to integrate with your tissue over time. The first few weeks after surgery, things were looking good. Then I noticed some small holes in the anchor incisions around my breasts, with some fluid seepage. Over the course of about a month, 2 of the small holes developed into an infection. The areas were cleaned and resutured, and I was on an antibiotic. The infection never got so bad that I was sick, and I was told it would heal no problem. This was not the case. By June, one of the holes was nearly an inch across and pieces of mesh were sticking out. It was very uncomfortable and I was changing the wound dressing daily, using medihoney at the PA's rec to help promote healing. I had a wound vac and more antibiotics for 2 weeks, and then the hospital system closed the office permanently. My surgeon and PA moved to a private practice over an hour away, and the closest office within the hospital system was now almost 2 hours away. By the end of August, things had still not healed and additional mesh was protruding. It was gross, painful, and annoying. I finally got a referral to see another surgeon, and not even a week after my first consult, I was in the OR having a revision to remove the mesh from both breasts. She determined that my body had rejected it. The revision was 4 weeks ago, and it looks amazing. I have no pain, not even to the touch. This is what the last 6 months should have been like. I have since found out that this mesh product is not FDA approved for breast surgery, and I feel that my original surgeon should have told me that, but whatever. Most of the time, there are no issues, so I was an exception. I am grateful that my new surgeon recognized a potentially more serious issue and was able to address it very quickly.

What an ordeal! I am so glad you found another surgeon to correct the issue and are doing well now. I am coming up on 6 months post-op and seeing that my arms will need a lift definitely and a potential balancing of my breast (22 year breast cancer survivor with a lumpectomy). I know it is still too early to look into it, but I am curious did your insurance cover the lifts? I am a little nervous about how much those procedures may cost. Take care!

Thanks! None of my original lifts were covered by insurance, as they were deemed cosmetic (I didn't have any complicating factors like rashes etc). I asked for cash quotes, and the total was around $14k for everything, which included all pre and post-op, the hospital, anesthesia, and the actual procedures, which were done at the same time. I went home that day. My revision surgery was thankfully covered by insurance, as an infection.

No, hospital stay @Ctuts after the procedures? They (mainly insurance companies I think) are kicking people out of the hospital way too early on a lot of things. Yeah, I was guessing $10,000 minimum. Better start collecting my coins now to put in the "piggy bank" for a few years down the road.