underarm procedure

[preeti]

I am trying to find a ps who will perform the underarm procedure for the upper arm lift. I am thin (116 lbs, 5'3") but the skin on my arms has lost all its elasticity. I don't want to trade one problem for another. Everyone says that the scar on the inner arm from having the arm lift is very unslightly. Right now I have to wear long sleeves all the time because my arms look so bad. If I have a big long scar after an arm lift, I suppose I will still be wearing long sleeves. I can't see that as much of an improvement. Does anyone know of a ps who will do the underarm incision procedure in Arizona? Is there anyone who has had an armlift who doesn't have a big long scar?

[danny]

I don't know that my experience will help you at all, but I sure understand your search for a surgeon who will do the underarm procedure. I investigated that as well, and in my case it was not appropriate, because although it would have improved the sagging skin, it would not have totally reshaped the arm the way I needed after an extensive wt. loss. Hopefully you can find a surgeon in your area who will advise you how to get maximum results in your concern for arm reshaping with mimimal scaring...we are all different individuals with differing bodies and needs and what will work for one person may not nec. be the best route to go with for someone else. A surgeon you can put your trust in will be able to give you good advice to achieve the results you want. In my case, I am 6 weeks post op from my arm lift, and I was the person who did the posting about being so thrilled with the results that I cried. In my case, it was always more about the profile of my arm size and it's relationship to the rest of my body than it was about the scarlines, which at this point are not too bad and will improve with time. Best of luck to you.

[preeti]

thank you so much for your reply. You've really given me something to think about. Since my issue is the skin, not the reshaping of the arms, I might have better luck convincing a ps to do the underarm procedure on me. Obviously, it would have to be a ps who is experienced in doing it that way. It just seems so logical to me that if they can do thigh lifts by pulling the skin up, why not the arms? Anyway, I appreciate your input and am so glad that your results are good and that you are happy. I really don't understand why some people criticize plastic surgery when it can make such an incredible difference to the way we feel about ourselves. You sound like someone who is otherwise very balanced and this procedure just made you feel even better about yourself. I recently (January '04) had my eyes done (upper and lower blephs) and I am just thrilled with the results. I feel like I look much younger and less "tired". Anyway, if anyone else has any ideas about the underearm procedure, I'd welcome hearing from you.

[danny]

it's so good to be in touch with people who share some of the same concerns. Even though we are on differents part of the same journey, it is still comforting to know there is someone there who understands. Your need for a different kind of arm procedure than what I had done seems well founded. It's very different when it's just skin and not the reshaping of the whole arm that you are considering. Each of us is different, and there will be those individual differences even among people who all prefer the underarm version of the armlift. I'd urge to keep searching for a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with, and even when you find one who is experienced with the procedure, it will be good to seek additional opinions and see which person you are most comfortable dealing with. What they ultimately advise you to do will depend on your own preferences and on how your particular anatomy would respond, in the surgeon's view, to what you want to have done. Best of luck with your search....it will be so worth it. Thanks so much for all your words of positive reinforcement and encouragement. I certainly hope I approached this in a balanced way. It's like I was always walking around with a slight tilt (/) and since the surgery I feel more in balance mentally, emotionally, and physically (l), if my little visuals can be interpreted by you. I felt the same results as you re having my lower lids done (at the same time as the arms) and it's wonderful to have those heavy creases gone from under my eyes. I have one more procedure coming up in Dec. to correct an eye lid muscle defect and am waiting the required 6 mos. to let my current procedures heal. I'd also like to be saving up for BA and a revision of an old cesarean scar on my tummy. I recently reached the minus 100 pounds mark and it's a whole new life with the same old (but improved) me....lots to adjust to and lots of distrust of my progress but much hope for the future. Best of luck in your own journey re finding the right surgeon for your arms and take good care of yourself.

[anu]

I had the underarm procedure done close to 3 years ago and I am very happy with the results. I live in South Carolina but went to Dr. Mark Richards in Bethesda, MD, who created this procedure. Don't know of anyone in your area - Good luck!

[kellyg]

Is there any way the plastic surgeon can leave the scar in an area on the arm that people don't usually see. Many parts of the arm are usually facing the body, and not outward, so that other people cannot see them most of them. Can the doctor do the procedure so that the scar is there.

[sacback]

If you get a trained and innovative surgeon then I would assume that it would be more than possible to do so. I wouldn't see why not.

[illuseesion]

You should be able to ask your surgeon to make sure that the scar is under your arm. I mean but it does depend on what method you get down as well.

[Tag]

A good surgeon probably can get the scar to a much less visible place. He should have good experience though.