Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Major weight loss and the natural aging process can leave you with extra, unwanted skin. This excess tissue occurs in more places than just your abdomen. It is common for men and women to have undesirable arm skin that prevents them from feeling attractive and confident in their bodies. Brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to restore a more trim and slender bicep and tricep area.
An arm lift can correct some or all of the following:
- Excess skin as a result of weight loss
- Flabby skin associated with aging
- Stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise
- Feelings of apprehension when wearing form-fitting tops or short sleeves
Good Candidates for Arm Lift Surgery
Patients seek arm lift surgery to remove excess skin and fat to restore a more toned arm profile. People considering arm lift surgery should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about their results. Your weight should be relatively stable; dramatic weight fluctuations can affect the quality of your results. You should stop smoking six weeks prior to your procedure.
The Procedure
Arm lift surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. An incision is made along the inner arm. The length of the incisions depends on the extent of correction needed. Unwanted skin and fat are removed, and the remaining tissue is redraped to achieve a smooth, slender arm contour. Your incisions are closed, and a compression garment is applied to help create the best results possible. Techniques that can be utilized during arm lift surgery include:
- Liposuction: For qualifying patients, liposuction of the arm can be performed in conjunction with your skin removal. Eliminating unwanted fat can help slim the arm and create a firmer, smoother contour.
- CoolSculpting®: This fat removal technique is less effective than liposuction but is performed with the patient awake and requires only minimal downtime.
- Limited incision: Used to correct limited excess skin that typically accumulates close to the armpit. This technique uses a small incision in the armpit to remove tissue.
- Standard incision: Corrects a flabby, “bat wing” appearance. The incisions extend from the armpit to the elbow.
- Extended incision: Targets loose skin that may have accumulated under the arm and along the chest wall. The incision runs from the elbow to the armpit and down the side of the body.
Recovery
Immediately following your procedure, you will experience bruising, swelling, redness, and mild to moderate discomfort. For the first week, you will have limited use of your arms. You should not subject your incisions to excessive force, abrasion, or motion. For three to six weeks, you will wear a compression garment to help facilitate proper healing and ideal results. After six weeks, you should be able to resume your normal activities but only with doctor approval.
Results
After major swelling has subsided, usually around six weeks post-surgery, you should begin to notice your results. Tissue removal through arm lift surgery is permanent. However, future weight gain or loss can affect the quality of your results. For this reason, you should maintain a stable weight and live a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise.
The extent of scarring associated with arm lift surgery depends on the length of the incisions required to remove your tissue. Great care is taken to place incisions on the underside of the arm in a discreetly placed location, and the incision is carefully sutured to achieve the best scar possible. Any visible scarring will likely fade over time.
If you desire a slimmer, more toned arm contour, schedule your consultation with Dr. Conrad today. Contact our office at 316-681-2227, or fill out our online contact form here for more information.