Arm Lift
What is Arm Lift surgery?
Arm Lift Surgery, formally known as Brachioplasty, is a procedure that aims to tighten and tone the upper arms by removing the excess skin on the upper arms. Restoring a youthful contour to the upper arms as well.
Why is Arm Lift performed?
Removing Sagging arm skin is the main reason for the Arm Lift Surgery. Sagging skin can be caused by a variety of reasons: older age, a low protein diet, sedentary lifestyle, excessive exposure to sunlight, and sudden weight loss. Although Brachioplasty addresses a relatively small area of the body, the procedure can improve the full appearance. With thinner arms, the entire figure may look noticeably more slender and younger.
What are the conditions for Arm Lift surgery?
An Arm Lift is recommended to patients who:
- Do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or would increase risk of surgery.
- Can safely go under anesthesia.
- Have excess skin on their upper arms.
Additionally, an Arm Lift surgery is recommended to patients that have Body Mass Index, BMI, of below 30 as the results of the surgery will change with weight loss or gain.
What are Arm Lift Surgery Types?
There are 3 commonly performed types of Arm Lift Surgery:
Mini Arm Lift:
Involves making a single curved incision located entirely under the armpit and is ideal for patients with mild degrees of skin laxity and excess fat in the upper arms.
Standard Arm Lift:
Entirely removes the excess skin and fat on the arms. The incision is made underside the arm, the scar is not visible when viewed from the front and the back.
Extended Arm Lift:
The incision extends from the elbow to the upper arm along the armpit and along the lateral chest wall. Involves the removal of the excess skin and fat from the upper arm, armpit, and near the chest. Is applied to patients with excessive arm sagging.
What Are The Things To Be Considered Before Arm Lift?
Before Arm Lift surgery, patients should:
- Be at the hospital a day before their surgery for the pre operative tests to be performed.
- Stop smoking and consuming alcohol at least 2 weeks before the surgery to alleviate the risk of a blood clot.
- Avoid medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications may increase the risk of internal bleeding. Patients should confirm each medication and supplement they wish to take with their Patient Coordinator.
Also, the patient's body will be examined and measured, and the surgeon might have photographs taken so that the patient can compare the appearance before and after the Arm Lift surgery.
How is the Arm Lift performed?
There are a variety of different techniques used by plastic surgeons. Before the operation, arms are spread and detailed planning and drawings are made. Only excess skin, removal of which will provide adequate tightening and will not distort arm contour is marked.
The appropriate incision is made according to which Arm Lift surgery is being done.
During the procedure, excess skin is removed using a gentle dissection, in order not to damage the vessels and nerves in the arm. Depending on the procedure, excess skin and fat might be removed near the armpits and the chest area as well.
In most cases, drains are placed to remove fluids that may accumulate under the skin. The standard Arm Lift Surgery, on average, takes 2 hours, but can take up to five hours depending on the complexity of the case. At the end of the surgery, bandages are placed to create pressure near the arm area and to control inflammation.
What are The Things To Be Considered After Arm Lift Surgery?
It might take several weeks to months for swelling and bruising to disappear and up to 12 months for the scars to flatten and lighten, but the scars will not fully disappear. The patients are advised to:
- Wear a special arm brace that will be provided for three weeks to reduce the swelling.
- Restrict strenuous arm movements and exercises for at least 6 weeks.
- Protect their skin from the sun and by regularly using sunscreen.
On average, the patient can return to work 10 days after the surgery.
What Are The Risks of Arm Lift?
Risks involved with Arm Lift surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Wound dehiscence
- Fluid accumulation at the wound site
- Hematoma, which is bleeding under the skin
- Risks associated with anesthesia
- Numbness at the incision site
Another possible risk of Arm Lift surgery is that the patient might not be satisfied with the results. In this situation, a revisional surgery is possible.