Question:
3 prodecures at the same time?

I recently met with my plastic surgeon and discussed having a breast reduction/lift, brachioplasty(bat wing removal), and a chin tuck. It is less expensive for me to have all procedures done in one day-about 6 hours of surgery. This would however, leave me unable even to brush my teeth & with a recovery time of about 3 weeks. I have 2 small children & am wondering if that is such a great idea, or if I should break them up a bit. Also, I am wondering for those of you who had the arm lift-how bad is the scar & do you regret having that procedure because of the scarring? Thanks for the input.    — Heather N. (posted on February 19, 2003)


February 19, 2003
I don't see anything wrong with having all of those procedures done at the same time if you are right now in good health. A lot of doctors will do breasts and arms at the same time and throwing the chin should not be so bad.
   — Lisa N M.

February 19, 2003
Check out these message boards. These women are very helpful. http://members5.boardhost.com/tuckthattummy/index.html
   — Missy M.

February 19, 2003
I am having 3 done at once on March 31st. My extended abdomnioplasty, batwings and a breastlift. I prefer it this way cause I certianly won't want to go back for anymore surgery. After this, I'm DONE!! The arm scar I've seen on a friend of mine who had it done recently by the same Dr. Its from the elbow and down the armpit along the sides. This Dr. zigzags the scar under neath the arm so you can have full range of motion after. With the arms, its a compromise. Either you have the batwings or a scar. I'd prefer the scar anyday of hte week! I don't have kids so I can't help you on that part. Are you having somebody stay with you to help you?
   — Kris T.

February 19, 2003
About multiple procedures: with the procedures you are considering, you will be limited in lifting, etc., for 6 weeks or so. But you won't be flat on your back for three weeks or anything like that. After the first week you will be able to get around OK. I had 4 procedures done at once (TT, bladder lift, hernia repair and inner thigh lift) and - while it was no picnic - I did fine. Just under 8 hours of surgery. About the arm lift: I had one. Totally happy with it. If you email me directly I'll send you a picture of the incision at 7 months postop. Now, almost 3 years afterwards, the scars have totally faded and are almost invisible. It was a great decision for me. hugs, Ann rny 9/10/99 260/124
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 21, 2003
I had my panniculectomy (anchor incision) and armlift done at the same time (about 5 1/2 hours operating time). My plastic surgeon bases his decision on how many procedures to combine on the age and general health of the patient, as well as the estimated operating time. He prefers not to exceed 7 hours total. I had really terrible "batwings", and although my brachioplasty scars go from armpit to elbow, they are strategically located so that they are completely invisible to "the public" unless I raise my arms straight above my head. I have never regretted the armlift for one second. It is such a relief to be able to wear clothing with fitted sleeves, or not to feel that if I moved my arms in a strong wind I might just "flap" away :-) As for not being able to brush your teeth (?), I had complete range-of-motion immediately after surgery and was able to take care of all those personal chores without any problems at all. My arms were bandaged in gauze from elbow to armpit, and amazingly "comfortable....I expected much more post-op discomfort than I experienced. I wish you the same great experience! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

February 21, 2003
I had my panniculectomy (anchor incision) and armlift done at the same time (about 5 1/2 hours operating time). My plastic surgeon bases his decision on how many procedures to combine on the age and general health of the patient, as well as the estimated operating time. He prefers not to exceed 7 hours total. I had really terrible "batwings", and although my brachioplasty scars go from armpit to elbow, they are strategically located so that they are completely invisible to "the public" unless I raise my arms straight above my head. I have never regretted the armlift for one second. It is such a relief to be able to wear clothing with fitted sleeves, or not to feel that if I moved my arms in a strong wind I might just "flap" away :-) As for not being able to brush your teeth (?), I had complete range-of-motion immediately after surgery and was able to take care of all those personal chores without any problems at all. My arms were bandaged in gauze from elbow to armpit, and amazingly "comfortable....I expected much more post-op discomfort than I experienced. I wish you the same great experience! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

February 21, 2003
I had my panniculectomy (anchor incision) and armlift done at the same time (about 5 1/2 hours operating time). My plastic surgeon bases his decision on how many procedures to combine on the age and general health of the patient, as well as the estimated operating time. He prefers not to exceed 7 hours total. I had really terrible "batwings", and although my brachioplasty scars go from armpit to elbow, they are strategically located so that they are completely invisible to "the public" unless I raise my arms straight above my head. I have never regretted the armlift for one second. It is such a relief to be able to wear clothing with fitted sleeves, or not to feel that if I moved my arms in a strong wind I might just "flap" away :-) As for not being able to brush your teeth (?), I had complete range-of-motion immediately after surgery and was able to take care of all those personal chores without any problems at all. My arms were bandaged in gauze from elbow to armpit, and amazingly "comfortable....I expected much more post-op discomfort than I experienced. I wish you the same great experience! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

February 21, 2003
I had my panniculectomy (anchor incision) and armlift done at the same time (about 5 1/2 hours operating time). My plastic surgeon bases his decision on how many procedures to combine on the age and general health of the patient, as well as the estimated operating time. He prefers not to exceed 7 hours total. I had really terrible "batwings", and although my brachioplasty scars go from armpit to elbow, they are strategically located so that they are completely invisible to "the public" unless I raise my arms straight above my head. I have never regretted the armlift for one second. It is such a relief to be able to wear clothing with fitted sleeves, or not to feel that if I moved my arms in a strong wind I might just "flap" away :-) As for not being able to brush your teeth (?), I had complete range-of-motion immediately after surgery and was able to take care of all those personal chores without any problems at all. My arms were bandaged in gauze from elbow to armpit, and amazingly "comfortable....I expected much more post-op discomfort than I experienced. I wish you the same great experience! Good luck!
   — Diana T.

February 21, 2003
I had my panniculectomy (anchor incision) and armlift done at the same time (about 5 1/2 hours operating time). My plastic surgeon bases his decision on how many procedures to combine on the age and general health of the patient, as well as the estimated operating time. He prefers not to exceed 7 hours total. I had really terrible "batwings", and although my brachioplasty scars go from armpit to elbow, they are strategically located so that they are completely invisible to "the public" unless I raise my arms straight above my head. I have never regretted the armlift for one second. It is such a relief to be able to wear clothing with fitted sleeves, or not to feel that if I moved my arms in a strong wind I might just "flap" away :-) As for not being able to brush your teeth (?), I had complete range-of-motion immediately after surgery and was able to take care of all those personal chores without any problems at all. My arms were bandaged in gauze from elbow to armpit, and amazingly "comfortable....I expected much more post-op discomfort than I experienced. I wish you the same great experience! Good luck!
   — Diana T.




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