An arm lift, also known as Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure performed with the intention of reducing excess sagging skin in the upper arm region. If you have recently undergone some form of sudden extreme weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, you may develop excess skin on the underside of the upper arms. This creates the dreaded batwing like appearance that nobody wants to have.

Ideal Candidates for the Arm Lift Surgery

The best candidates for an arm lift are:

• Adults with loose upper arm skin.
• People who aren’t significantly overweight and of a stable weight.
• People without medical conditions that hinder or slow down healing.
• People who are self-conscious or unhappy with their body image with realistic goals.
• Adults who do not smoke.
• People who are genetically predisposed to extra tissue or looser skin.

The Arm Lift Procedure

Before the procedure begins, your doctor will mark the appropriate areas to make the incision. The patient is administered an anesthetic after which, an incision is made either at the armpit or from the wrist to armpit depending on the amount of fat to be removed from the patient. The incisions are strategically placed to help limit the visibility of any post-surgical marks

The surgeon then removes the excess fat and fatty tissue using traditional surgical methods or liposuction if there are large areas of excess fat. When the excess fat and skin has been removed and the remaining skin tightened, the incision is closed and bandaged.

After the Arm Lift Surgery

Your doctor will remove any bandages and sutures a few weeks after the surgery. You may feel a little tightness as if the skin is stretched a little too tight but this feeling will fade away as the tissues get used to their reformed contours.

The Expected Results of the Procedure

The results are immediately visible albeit with bruising and swelling following the surgery. Provided the candidate maintains general fitness and a stable weight, the results will be permanent.

Your doctor will give you instructions pertaining to your case on how to take care of yourself post surgery to see long-lasting results. Following your doctor’s instructions is critical to the success of the surgery.

Recovery After the Arm Lift Procedure

It is normal for many patients to take a week off from work to ensure a quick recovery. You should also refrain from performing any strenuous activities for a few weeks after the procedure. Compression garments have to be worn to reduce swelling and provide support for the tissues of the arm.

Keep the arm raised to help with circulation. Soreness, bruising, tightness, swelling, tenderness, and redness are all normal after the surgery, but these are temporary and will subside in time.

Risks Involved in the Arm Lift Procedure

Brachioplasty is relatively safe, but it does carry the general risks that all surgeries are subject to like bad reactions to anesthesia, blood clots, and infections. These aren’t specific risks to the Brachioplasty but rather risks in general surgery.

Minor risks specific to Brachioplasty like visible post-surgical marks and nerve damage are fairly uncommon but if you follow your doctor’s instructions, you should be fine.

Contact Our Office

If you have sagging skin in the upper arms that you want to get rid of, then an arm lift is the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact our office to learn more about the surgery with skilled plastic surgeon Dr. JoAnne Lopes.