Plastic Surgery After Lapband

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

I've got a referral for plastic surgery for my "apron" stomach, and plan to ask about my floppy arms while I'm at it. Has anyone had or looked into plastic surgery since the lapband? I'm interested in any advise re questions to ask the surgeon, what to expect regarding pain during recovery, costs, anything to learn more about it before I take the big plunge!

I understand the cost is pretty much out of pocket, but since I have been getting a slight rash under my hanging stomach (gross!), my doctor says she is referring me to plastic surgery because it is "medically indicated." Hope that means insurance will pay for part of it! Thanks to any and all input!

[vonhelzing 3]

Hi Oldie,

I have had both a Tummy Tuck and a brachioplasty. The tummy tuck is pretty painful when trying to move around or getting up from a chair. Using a pillow helps. I had drains after surgery and those coming out hurt. The arms wern't to bad. It just takes a while before you can do anything overhead.

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and the cost for both procedures was about $10,000 and took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. As soon as these are paid off, i'm getting a thigh lift and the girls lifted.

Let me know if i can answer any other questions.

[smatyas 0]

It is often necessary to have the apron removed after massive weight loss due to the rash etc, like you are experiencing now. If your doc is deeming it medically necessary to get the skin removed, there is a likely chance that your insurance will pick up most of the cost. Unfortunately the "bat wings" rarely if ever get that same stamp.

Good luck, let us know what you find out!

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

Hi Oldie,

I have had both a Tummy Tuck and a brachioplasty. The tummy tuck is pretty painful when trying to move around or getting up from a chair. Using a pillow helps. I had drains after surgery and those coming out hurt. The arms wern't to bad. It just takes a while before you can do anything overhead.

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and the cost for both procedures was about $10,000 and took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. As soon as these are paid off, i'm getting a thigh lift and the girls lifted.

Let me know if i can answer any other questions.

Thanks for the info! I live in Northern California and I have been quoted by two plastic surgeons of costs of $7000 for the arms and $9000 for the tummy tuck/liposuction! (I'm going to do them separately cause one doctor said you really rely on your arms when you get your tummy tuck. Did you do both at the same time? How long til you didn't need anyone around?

My friend in Southern Calif., by the way, got quotes of $4,500 or the arms and $6,500 for the tummy tuck! So I am seriously thinking of flying down there and staying with her for the procedures. Thus, my question about how long someone should be with you.

Thank you again. Continued good luck to you!

[vonhelzing 3]

I did have them both done at the same time. I think my husband stayed home a week only to help me get out of the chair. My husband is a firefighter so taking off a week for him is really only taking off two days. Otherwise i really didn't need anyone home. Once upright, and get over the initial pain in the tummy, you should be able to move around. My surgeon actually encourage me to get up every hour or so and walk.

I'm not sure about needing to use your arms more. Maybe that's if your alone and need to push up out of a chair. Other than taking a while to do things over my head, my arms healed pretty quickly.

It's funny how where you live dictates how much the surgery is. When i was getting quotes, the one from an affluent town wanted $16,000 for the same procedures.

If you dicide to go with the surgery, definitely wear your compression garments. they are a pain to get on but boy do the make you feel better. For the TT, it was on for 6 weeks. The arms were like 3 weeks.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

Hi Oldie,

I have had both a Tummy Tuck and a brachioplasty. The tummy tuck is pretty painful when trying to move around or getting up from a chair. Using a pillow helps. I had drains after surgery and those coming out hurt. The arms wern't to bad. It just takes a while before you can do anything overhead.

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and the cost for both procedures was about $10,000 and took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. As soon as these are paid off, i'm getting a thigh lift and the girls lifted.

Let me know if i can answer any other questions.

Thanks for the info! I checked out priced in N California (where I live) and in SCal (where friends live). They are way cheaper in SCal, espcially in the beach areas!! Amazing! So I am scheduled for an arm lift in Huntington Beach Feb 17th! Cost- $4500. In Sacramento, it was $7000 quotes from two doctors! I decided to do the two surgeries separately, for financial reasons and for the using the arms thing during stomach surgery recovery. The two, total, in SCal will be $10,500. But if my insurance kicks in here in Sacramento for the apron stomach part, the rest (liposuction, saddle bags and bra line) will "only" be about $4500! Sign me up!

Again, thanks so much for the info.! I am really thinking about a thigh lift too, and even maybe the girls lifted. Did you get prices on those surgeries yet? The breast lift here (from the SCal dr.) is $5500. I was surprised. Thought it would be less. But I am most interested in the thigh lift cost and didn't ask! Forgot!

[vonhelzing 3]

Congrats on your decision. I didn't get a quote on the thighs yet but when i mentioned the girls, she said around $6000. So it sounds like your getting a good price. I have to pay off the other surgeries before i do more.

I hope your insurance kicks in. That would be a great help. Good luck.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

I did have them both done at the same time. I think my husband stayed home a week only to help me get out of the chair. My husband is a firefighter so taking off a week for him is really only taking off two days. Otherwise i really didn't need anyone home. Once upright, and get over the initial pain in the tummy, you should be able to move around. My surgeon actually encourage me to get up every hour or so and walk.

I'm not sure about needing to use your arms more. Maybe that's if your alone and need to push up out of a chair. Other than taking a while to do things over my head, my arms healed pretty quickly.

It's funny how where you live dictates how much the surgery is. When i was getting quotes, the one from an affluent town wanted $16,000 for the same procedures.

If you dicide to go with the surgery, definitely wear your compression garments. they are a pain to get on but boy do the make you feel better. For the TT, it was on for 6 weeks. The arms were like 3 weeks.

Hi, again!

I have scheduled my arm lift surgery for Feb. 17th. I started looking for sleeveless or spaghetti strap sleeping garments for during the healing process, and can't find any that don't go over the head (no zipper or buttons except for the pajama type things, and I don't like to wear things around my waist when I am sleeping. So my question is, after the arm surgery, can you get an over the head nightie on (ie., raise your arms enough to get the thing on!)? Thanks again for sharing your experience and info!

[vonhelzing 3]

i think i leaned forward with my arms out like frankenstein and he slipped the shirt over them then pulled it over my head. i wore his t shirts for a few days since he is larger than me. i don't think it took me very long to put my own shirts on though.

The day of surgery maybe wear a button down of somekind that way you won't have to worry about lifting your arms really at all.

you may also want to sleep in a chair for a few days just to keep your arms cusioned and elevated. i have a hard time sleeping like that when laying flat.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

i think i leaned forward with my arms out like frankenstein and he slipped the shirt over them then pulled it over my head. i wore his t shirts for a few days since he is larger than me. i don't think it took me very long to put my own shirts on though.

The day of surgery maybe wear a button down of somekind that way you won't have to worry about lifting your arms really at all.

you may also want to sleep in a chair for a few days just to keep your arms cusioned and elevated. i have a hard time sleeping like that when laying flat.

So you can use your arms pretty much like normal, the only difference is you can't raise them say past your shoulders? For how long? I broke down and bought a pj set today. And a duster type lite-weight robe that I could wear for sleeping (has snaps). I will be having my friend taking care of me but I'd rather dress myself!

So you are supposed to elevate your arms while sleeping? I sleep on my back. Would it work during recovery to still do so, with say a pillow under each arm? Did you have pressure wraps on your arms? Drains? How long after the surgery was your first check up? Did they take stitches out, or do they do that surgical glue now?!

Thanks again for answering all my weird questions! But I'm a little apprehensive, and knowledge is power! :-)

[vonhelzing 3]

my arms were wrapped tight in guaze for the first 2 days until i went back to the dr. at this time she removed the gauze, cleaned me up and then the compression sleeves went on. the dr took out the stitches. i did not have any drains i used pillows under the arms just to make me more comfortable.

i could pretty much do everything with my arms. don't lift anything heavy though because you wouldn't want to pop a stitch. i didn't use the compression sleeves for very long because they were really tight. they go all the way up to your arm pit then latch together across your back. i used ace bandages for a little while but even that didn't last long.

i do fileing at work so i would say it took about 3-4 weeks to really feel comfortable raising my arms for any period of time. they just would get really tired.

maybe the arms were so easy for me because the tummy was so ruff. now that was some pain.

no proplem answering your questions. i love being able to help. it is scary not knowing what to expect.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

my arms were wrapped tight in guaze for the first 2 days until i went back to the dr. at this time she removed the gauze, cleaned me up and then the compression sleeves went on. the dr took out the stitches. i did not have any drains i used pillows under the arms just to make me more comfortable.

i could pretty much do everything with my arms. don't lift anything heavy though because you wouldn't want to pop a stitch. i didn't use the compression sleeves for very long because they were really tight. they go all the way up to your arm pit then latch together across your back. i used ace bandages for a little while but even that didn't last long.

i do fileing at work so i would say it took about 3-4 weeks to really feel comfortable raising my arms for any period of time. they just would get really tired.

maybe the arms were so easy for me because the tummy was so ruff. now that was some pain.

no proplem answering your questions. i love being able to help. it is scary not knowing what to expect.

OMG! Every time you give me more info, it sparks way more questions! Would you mind writing via regular email? It would be so much faster communication- mamamav1@yahoo.com. But for now, questions!--

I'm surprised you had no drains. Is that unusual, or they only use drains for tummy tucks? About how many stitches did you get? What kind? What kind of scar did you end up with?-- thin? straight?! How long til they took the stitches out? How ofen and how many follow up visits did you have? I'm going 500 miles for my surgery, and two weeks after the surgery, am traveling 3000 miles for 10 days! So how long did you wear the compression bandages? Did the dr. tell you about using ace bandages, or did you think of that yourself? How long did you keep those on? How long do you think it was til you could say, wash your hair or blow dry your hair (arms over the head stuff)? Did your arms look significantly smaller right after the surgery, or did they swell for a few days/weeks like they say the stomach does after a Tummy Tuck? And speaking of which, why was the tummy tuck so rough?? My one friend had it and said it's like having a c-section. I thought maybe she was minimizing it, so it would be good to hear about your experience. Anyway, thank you thank you again for all your great information! Mavis

[laurajean1 1]

my insurance is covering my surgery,because it is medically neccesary,i.e. rashes or sores under belly

[vonhelzing 3]

mavis,

I will email you.

[laurajean1 1]

ok