Overview
Over the years, fluctuations in weight, aging, and loosening of the skin can leave your arms sagging and undefined. If you have lost a significant amount of weight, it is possible that you have become more self-conscious about loose, sagging skin of your upper arms. Arm lift surgery or Brachioplasty surgery at Prima Center for Plastic Surgery can help tighten and contour your arms to restore a more youthful and sculpted appearance. Loss of elasticity in the skin of the upper arm cannot be corrected by exercise and strength training. Arm lift surgery can be used to treat excessive skin and fat on the upper arm, reshape the arm for a smoother, more toned appearance, and give the arms a more proportionate look. During consultation, patients will have the opportunity to discuss their personal goals in reference to their appearance as well as learn the methods available to help achieve those goals. The cost of an arm lift will vary per patient based on individual goals.
Surgical Technique
The goal of an arm lift is a toned upper arm appearance. Procedures for improving the contour of the arms can range from liposuction alone to a full arm lift. Arm lift surgery is usually performed in our AAAASF accredited in office surgery center or in an outpatient surgery center. Minor arm lifts can be performed under local anesthesia but more extensive arm lifts require general anesthesia. The actual procedure will vary from patient to patient depending upon the extent of skin laxity and exess fat. In general the procedure involves an incision made on the undersurface of the arms. These incisions may extend from near the arm pit down to the area around the elbow. Next the excess skin will be removed and repositioned. The skin is tightened eliminating the sagging appearance of the upper arms. The length of the incision varies depending on how much skin and fat are to be removed. Patients who have a fairly good skin tone may only require a minor incision. However, patients who have excessively loose, hanging skin will require an incision that may run from the armpit to the elbow. In some patients, the armpit will also need to be addressed and surgically tightened.
During/After Surgery
Patients undergoing brachioplasty are put under general anesthesia. It is an outpatient procedure that takes an average of 2 hours to complete. If the procedure is a part of an after weight loss surgery, which usually involves more than one body part, an overnight stay may be required. After surgery, the arm is protected with a compression garment and drain tubes may be present to avoid the risk of infection. Swelling and bruising are normal. Patients should keep the arm elevated to promote blood circulation and help with swelling. With proper care, the arm will return to normal function after several weeks.
Arm Lift Reviews
I'm very pleased with my results. Dr. Zerwin is great! I did other consultations in the area and no one made me feel as comfortable with my Abdominoplasty and Brachioplasty procedures. The prices are reasonable and the staff is great. They are with you from the beginning to the end. I recommend anyone considering a surgical change, to definitely go and meet Dr. Zerwin and is staff.
BEST IN THE NATION!!! - DR ZWIREN IS TRULY A GIFTED SURGEON.I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY RESULTS.I HAD A TUMMY TUCK AND ARM LIFT MARCH 9. FROM THE START OF THIS SURGERY FROM CONSULTATION TO FOLLOW UP VISITS (POST OP). DR ZWIREN + STAFF HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL, PROFESSIONAL, KIND, KNOWLEDGEABLE.THE STAFF KNOWS ME BY NAME.THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER MY SURGERY DR ZWIREN CALLED ME FROM HIS HOME AT NIGHT AND CHECKED ON ME.YES HE COULD OF HAD HIS FULLY TRAINNED,SMART ,BEAUTIFUL RNs CALL ME BUT HE CALLED. WOW.I WONDER HOW MANY PHYSICIANS CALL PERSONALLY?I WILL RECOMMEND ANY AND EVERYONE TO DR ZWIREN.THE BEST.I WILL BE BACK FOR A FEW MINOR PROCEDURES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
FDL and brachioplasty - amazing results beyond my expectations - I had the best plastic surgery experience with Dr. Kumbla. I knew the moment I met her that I wanted her to operate on me. I had an FDL and brachioplasty and have amazing results beyond my expectations. She is honest, knowledgeable, very throughout and just overall an expert in her field. She educated me, provided all of the information through the process to manage expectations and the absolute best post op care a patient could ask for. Highly recommend her for great results and fantastic plastic surgery experience.
I am very pleased with the service I have received from Prima Center. All interactions from the front desk staff to Dr. Zwerin have exceeded expectation. I first reached out for a consultation in 2020. Due to Covid, they were doing zoom consultations. Dr. Z was very thorough during our consult and he presented a PowerPoint slide show to cover all the necessary topics. I came into the office for a second consultation because he needed to see my thighs in person. From there I scheduled to have surgery about 3 months later. Due to excess weight loss, I have the skin removed on my stomach, arms and thighs (all at one time). The communication leading up to surgery was great. Surgery went as planned! The follow up care was great. I had some issues with my thighs and Dr. Z made himself available via cell phone and went so far as to meet me at the office over the wknd when they were closed just to make sure I was okay and to give me additional surgical dressings because I had ran out and the stores did not have any. I am now almost 6 months post surgery and I am so pleased with me experience. I am happy I chose this office. I would definitely recommend them over many others that I considered.
I'm very pleased with my results. Dr. Zerwin is great! I did other consultations in the area and no one made me feel as comfortable with my Abdominoplasty and Brachioplasty procedures. The prices are reasonable and the staff is great. They are with you from the beginning to the end. I recommend anyone considering a surgical change, to definitely go and meet Dr. Zerwin and his staff.
8
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Plan Your Procedure
Recovery Time
1-2 weeks
Average Procedure Time
2.5 hours
Post-op Follow-up
5-7 days
Procedure Recovery Location
Out-Patient
Featured Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
Arm Lift or Lipo?
This depends on the amount of loose skin that is present. Patients who lose a significant amount of weight generally need the skin removed in order to attain a positive result. In fact, many times, arm lift patients do not even need liposuction because there’s no excess fat to be removed. On the other hand, patients who have relatively good skin elasticity may only need liposuction or minor tightening.
What About Scars and recovery
Any patient who undergoes an operation where skin is excised and incisions are made should understand that scarring is a part of the procedure, including brachioplasty. We make every effort to ensure that the scar will be as minimal as possible. For post-surgery care, topical ointments to assist in scar healing will be prescribed. It is also recommended that patients avoid sun exposure during the first year to protect the incisions from any additional discoloration. Most patients believe the benefits of a more toned arm outweight the appearance of scars. Following arm lift surgery you may experience some mild discomfort, which can be relieved by medications. You will also notice some swelling of the arms and even the hands. Elevation and compression are recommended to speed the recovery process. Most of the swelling will subside in 2 to 3 weeks. A typical patient will be able to return to work within a week as long as they avoid over-strenuous activities and lifting. Most of our patients can return to exercising within a few weeks.
Other Procedures?
It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes referred to as an upper body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast surgery (breast lift). During the consultation, each surgery will be discussed and recommendations will be made as to whether these procedures can be done at the same time.
How Contoured?
An arm lift is performed to remove hanging skin and fat. The only way to build actual muscle is through strength training. Following surgery, once the arms are fully healed, patients can begin weight training if they wish to do so. This is a great way to add shape to the arms by toning and strengthening them. Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise in order to avoid a recurring weight gain, which could compromise the surgical results.