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Congratulations! That was exactly me a few months ago and I just couldn't believe it! And now I'm in 8's! I'm in maintenance mode and very happy where I'm at in the scale and in clothes.

Goodness for as much as you've lost I'd say your skin has done quite well! Lucky you!

Lol @ sharpei. Such an accurate description of the excess skin. I'm gonna start using that to describe myself. Hahaha

@2Bsmaller18 Nothing really to add that ms.sss or mousecat88 hasn't already said. One thing I initially thought was that I wouldn't be able to bend at the elbow right away, and I was wondering how the eff I was going to feed myself! Turns out it was never an issue. I was also surprised that I've never needed assistance in the bathroom. I've just been wearing yoga pants this whole time. I did need help with shirts up through the first week or week and a half. I'm now about 2.5 weeks out and have stiffness when my arms are outstretched. Not too unbearable, mostly just uncomfortable and a bit scary to me because it's unfamiliar. Seems I need to do more stretching.

@ms.sss that's interesting that your have a more difficult time when your arms are bent. I'm the opposite. I have a tougher time when they are straight. Something pulls from just above my elbow halfway down my forearm. 🤔

Wow it looks great! Hope mine turns out that nice 🤞

@ms.sss At my one week check up last week when I was whining about the garment he put on the ace bandages instead. Said ideally he'd like compression for 4 weeks. So I probably still need to be doing something. I actually ordered one of those other styles that someone here on BP (sillykitty? or mousecat?) recommended. It should arrive tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how today goes working for 8 hours on the computer. Since my arms will be bent all that time I'll need to make sure to take breaks to stretch and elevate them periodically. It'll be a challenge. I get pretty laser focused at work and often times won't even leave my desk to go to the restroom for hours. Yes, hours. I know, that's not good.

Update: Swelling and pain around elbows and forearms are much better. Yeah! I think there are a couple things that contributed to the improvement. I returned to sleeping more traditionally, lying horizontally with a regular pillow under my head. For the past two weeks since the arm lift I was sleeping at an angle using a pillow wedge thing, mostly because it seemed best when I had the drains. But the angle made it harder to get my arms lifted higher than my heart. Now lying horizontally it's easier to get my arms up higher. I've also been making more of an effort to move my arms more, slowly of course, and I think that's helped stretch out the stiffness and pain I was having. I haven't worn the compression garment or ace bandages in a day or two which may also be helping. I noticed I pretty much don't have any pain on my incision lines. In fact I can even lie comfortably on my side which is how I prefer to sleep. So thankfully it seems that I've turned a corner. Just in time to return to work in the morning! (Although I'm just going to work from home these next two days instead of going into the office).

Oh goodness, I don't think I could get past how much the black soybean one looks like worms 🤢🤢🤢

Thx, I'll focus on more movement. Nope, no lipo.

I still have swelling around my elbows, and now I noticed I can't fully straighten my arms without it hurting just below my elbows. Guessing I've been mostly keeping my arms a little bent these past two weeks since surgery, and now the muscles have conformed to that position. I've been trying to keep them elevated but I now realize that I tend to keep them bent when I do. I've been switching up between the God-awful compression garment, the ace bandages, and having nothing on. I'm trying to slowly stretch them but it hurts. I wonder if heat or ice will help. I'll call the Dr on Thursday, after the holiday, but until then does anyone have any thoughts?

Way to go! [emoji122]

Yes, better [emoji4]

@AngieBear

It's very pretty but just too big for your small frame.

Hahaha [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Congratulations! Indeed rejoice! Reaching that milestone has been one of my favorite moments on this journey. Enjoy!

I drove a couple days ago to get my nails done. About 2 weeks post arm lift. No issues.

@ms.sss when do you think we can shave under our arms? Pretty soon I'm going to be able to start braiding under there! Also, have you used deodorant again yet? Dr said I can use it, but I haven't because the incisions freak me out.

Could be dehydration. At least that's what I found is the cause with me.

Good for you for recommitting. You've got this!

A couple people IRL have told me to avoid seafood for six months after surgery to help with scar healing. Another person said beef also. My Dr didn't say anything about it. Anyone have any thoughts? @ms.sss @mousecat88 @catwoman7 @sillykitty @okayestmom

Love that skirt! Darn it that it's too big for you now.