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.
Reviews
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.
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
Arm Lift FAQs
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.
