Janiece

This makes me sad b/c I've been fat my whole life. I was the chubby friend who went into regular sized stores while friends tried on clothes and I felt the clerks were looking at me like "why is she even in here?". I'm almost 30 years old and even now when I walk into a Banana Republic and I know I can wear their clothes, I still feel like I don't belong. I hope this poor girl is a strong person!

I love the app, I just wish I had the discipline to log everything regularly. Inevitably on a Saturday night I'm trying to remember what I had for lunch on Tuesday so I can go back and put it in...

Congrats and good luck! Stock up on protein shakes, greek yogurt and gas-x strips!

1 week post-op update: I cannot find adequate underboob lighting in the house, so promise I'll post daylight pics tomorrow! Arms: My arms are still a bit swollen. I'm hoping for a slightly better result when the swelling goes down, but honestly just having the flapping skin gone is weird but awesome. It literally used to smack against me when I would fold towels, make the bed, or any random vigorous activity (*cough*ZUMBA*cough*). I really hope they give me compression sleeves on Friday b/c this reusable ACE bandage stuff is really starting to get on my nerves! I'm still home from work, so I leave my arms unwrapped in a long-sleeved silky pajama shirt during the day (I'm so paranoid about snagging a loose stitch the smooth material makes me feel better. I'll take a picture. There's seriously a bowtie at elbow!) and I ACE wrap them before bed at night for support. The incisions are still mostly numb when I touch them but they're starting to get really itchy so I've been using neosporin like a crazy person (per Dr's orders) trying to keep them moist. At just a week out they look a lot better and the bruising is virtually gone. Boobs: I like them a lot more now than I did a few days ago. I think once I'm healed up enough to put on a proper underwire bra to take advantage of my new, perky cleavage, I'll love them! As for the nips, I have sensation in my left one. My right one, um, responds to stimulation , but I can't feel it. Hopefully that will work itself out in time. Side boob: Maybe it's b/c I didn't have drains, but I still have quite a bit of puffiness under my arms in "side boob" territory that was never there before. My under-boob incisions extend much farther than I expected, so I'm hoping it's just localized swelling that will go down. That reminds me, I think I used the icepacks I purchased like twice, maybe I'll use those tomorrow. Arm pits: So...if I have to pick anything to complain about from my surgery, it would be this. I've read how other brachioplasty patients end up with barely any sweat glands or armpit hair post-surgery and that totally didn't happen for me. Also, the scars in my pits are very ugly. I'm going to talk to my surgeon at the post op about them. I'm sure they'll smooth out, but they were the "bulgiest" out of all of my scars and I just feel they should've been a little neater...but again, I'll talk to my surgeon before I flip out or jump to any conclusions. I've used a trimmer once so far on my armpit hair b/c really...I have have standards, but not wearing deodorant hasn't been as bad as I expected. I've been using the Dial antibacterial 24 hour deodorizing bodywash and I seriously haven't smelled any BO yet. The farthest I've walked is maybe 6 blocks in 85 degree weather, but still I expected to odoriferous and I'm not. Overall: I have mostly a desk job and I give presentations fairly regularly. I feel like I probably could've gone to work for at least half-days this week and been fine, but I drive a manual transmission and I have very tight steering, so I doubt I'd be able to physcially drive into the office. I also still get pretty tired pretty easily and take a nap around 2pm and still go to bed around 10 or 11. I'm bored out of my mind and burning through my Netflix queue. I seriously watched the entire season of Orange is the New Black today. I have a mixed review, but that's probably better saved for the Off Topic forum...lol Oh, and I'm missing my doggie. I left my condo for the first time in 3 days to go to a movie with friends and that helped, but I'm pretty worn out...and the 2 glasses of wine probably didn't help. (but I've been completely off of all drugs since Friday) Let me know if you have any questions, and I promise to post updated pics tomorrow.

I have a beagle/bassett hound, so let's do it! I didn't think of adding baking soda. I'll give that a try. I'm seriously going to piss off my HOA and hang them outside on the balcony for a few hours tomorrow if that doesn't work! This is driving me crazy! I did take my second shower today and rubbed some orangish-brown stuff off my back and sides that I couldn't reach before, so hopefully that's the last of it!

The smell definitely isn't coming from me. This was after a breast and arm lift so my eating didn't change either. The smell is only on clothing I've worn since surgery. My mom believes it is the pre-surgical scrub they used. I was awake when they scrubbed my arms and breasts with two different soy sauce colored solutions, but I can't remember what they smelled like...Or maybe it's just the "hospital smell" absorbed into the bra and gauze that's rubbed off onto my other clothes?

I completely understand! I just had a boob and arm lift this week and virtually every store is having a labor day sale weekend! I want to stock up on cute sleeveless shirts and dresses, but I'm not sure if after the swelling goes down I'll be able to fit into a medium...so I'll just patiently wait it out!

I went to Dr Chiaramonte from Bella Cosmetic at the National Harbor in DC/MD

A general rule to live by: [almost] Everything is okay in moderation!

Kirsten - Just curious what bra you ended up using? I was also sent home in a post-surgical bra with velcro straps that closed in the front. I think the surgical scrub they used on me rubbed off on the bra b/c I can't stand the way it smells. It's running through the washer for the 3rd time right now. I switched to another front close bra I already had (http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=LeadingLady110) but I'm hoping to find something that gives a little better shape under clothing. My arms don't hurt, but I still have limited motion and there's no way I could wrestle into a sports or genie bra right now.

I was a 34G before my lift earlier this week. Panache was my favorite brand (and hopefully still will be)! They offer full-coverage, supportive bras that still come with cute, girly detailing. Most are lightly lined to help with shape and nip coverage. My two favorite styles are: http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=Panache6071 http://www.barenecessities.com/product.aspx?pf_id=Panache3376 And I love Bare Necessities because they're always having a sale, have free exchanges, and there's usually a free shipping code.

I was 25 when I was banded. I have a desk job and took 2 weeks off. I probably could've gone back after 1 week, but the 2nd week was still a bit rough. I got tired very easily, I was gassy,,. grumpy from liquids/mushies and just generally uncomfortable. Do you have the option to take 2 weeks then come back early if you're up to it? That way you're not rushed if you're not ready.

I started a local band meetup group and that fell apart a few months ago. Is there anyone in the DMV area who is banded and would like to hang out? Janiece

@Dylan - I am totally misty-eyed right now. I hope having a built-in band buddy makes this journey a bit easier for both of you!

For some reason I feel kinda detached from my boobs right now. lol. I love the size, but my nipples are much smaller than they were before and I think it will just take me a few more days to get used to them being mine. This is terrible picture taken as the nurse was unwrapping my bandages. They're not uneven, I think it's just the angle my mom took the pic. I'll take a better picture soon. And they look wrinkly b/c of the bandages. My arms are still swollen and they're just now starting to show a tiny bit of bruising. I took Oxy for the first 2 days, extra strength Tylenol yesterday and I haven't had anything today other than a vicotin to help me take a nap. My surgeon didn't put me in a compression garment yet, but just wants me to use nothing or if I want to, the reusable ace bandages. I remember Kirsten saying she felt weird with nothing on her arms, and I completely agree. I like having the light support of the ace bandages, so i'll keep wearing them until my checkup next week. My first shower yesterday was an epic nightmare. I sprayed a solution of dial soap and Water over my incisions and in my armpits. It wasn't too bad, but then as I rinsed off I noticed blood going down the drain and freaked out. I stood in there panicking and afraid to move until my mom came and showed me I just rinsed away some dried blood and loosened a few scabs but blood was barely trickling, Then I had to figure out how to dry off, put on lotion, put the support bra back on and rewrap my arms. I had to keep taking breaks b/c I got light-headed. I lived to tell the tale, but I might not take a full shower again for a few more days. My parents just left a few hours ago, so now I'm really on my own. My mobility has improved greatly over the last few days but I've asked my dog sitter to keep my dog until next weekend because I can't imagine trying to figure out in the middle of the street how to contort to pick up dog poop right now! Overall, I did not experience as much pain as I expected, but I completely underestimated the logistics of not being able to use your arms. Today's great accomplishment was that I could pull my underwear up all by my big-girl self! lol.

People are the worst. Don't even let her ruin your success! We're all very proud of you and can appreciate how difficult it is.

Glad you're back home after your glue scare! Take it easy for the next few days and congrats on your 16lb start!

Ugh, my forearms have been really swollen for the last 12 hours or so. I think it's just because of how tight they wrapped the ace bandages. They scrunch up where I bend my elbows and I think they're restricting blood flow. . I'm hoping to feel better once they switch me to a compression garment today. Also, the surgeon had to remove my implanon birth control implant because it was right where his incision line needed to be. So guess who has limited arm mobility and started spotting last night? annoyed.

I personally appreciate your reality check! I just had an arm and boob lift 2 days ago and I'm headed to a post op appointment in a few hours. Do they have any idea what happened to cause your complications or is it just a random, unlucky draw? I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope in the end it all works out!

Welcome to the site! Keep us posted on your progress!

And this is Janiece on Oxy...lol

Lol. Thanks! It's a discounted bathingsuit cover up from Gap. I'm a bit more sore today, but not really in pain. Mostly in my arm pits and the ace bandages they wrapped around my arms keep sticking together when I bend my elbows, then it cuts off my circulation. I can't wait until tomorrow when they unwrap me and put on the compression garment, but overall I can't complain!

Lol. Thanks! It's a discounted bathingsuit cover up from Gap. I'm a bit more sore today, but not really in pain. Mostly in my arm pits and the ace bandages they wrapped around my arms keep sticking together when I bend my elbows, then it cuts off my circulation. I can't wait until tomorrow when they unwrap me and put on the compression garment, but overall I can't complain!

Since you're leaving so early, hopefully that means you're first in line! Good luck and send us a quick note when you're feeling up to it!

Agreed. I've lost 120lbs and mine sticks out when I'm standing and REALLY sticks out when I lay down.on my back. Hopefully when I save up for a tummy tuck next year, the surgeon can swap it out for a lower profile or move it somewhere else. Right now it's about 2 inches to the right of my belly button