Arm Lift
[Brachioplasty]
An Arm Lift, otherwise known as Brachioplasty, can remove the excess skin and fat deposits, leaving the upper arms with a more pleasing and youthful contour. As a person ages or after a large amount of weight loss, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. Upper arm lifts can be done either through a small incision in the underarm combined with liposuction or through an incision extending from the elbow to the underarm. Generally, the shorter incision surgery is only appropriate for those with a minimal excess of skin in the upper arm and good elasticity. For those with greater excess a long incision is usually necessary.
Upper arm excess in a massive weight loss patient usually crosses the armpit and involves loose skin that extends onto the chest region. Brachioplasty, or upper arm reduction surgery, usually involves reducing the skin through a scar that runs on the inner part of the upper arm, often crossing onto the armpit and we often combine it with a breast lift.
Am I good candidate for upper arm lift?
Arm Lift surgery can be performed on a large variety of patients including normal weight patients who simply need a little tightening. However the majority of patients are massive weight loss patients that have stabilized their weight loss and do not have out of control medical problems. They present with excess skin and fat in their upper arms. Many of these patients complain that their arms feel and look like “bat wings.” Occasionally some older women have a lot of extra skin that is bothersome and would also be reasonable candidates.
In patients who have minimal upper arm fat excess, with no skin excess, liposuction alone can be effective. For patients that have some extra skin that is minimal in nature and is located near the armpit, an improvement can be attained through a scar limited to the armpit. For patients who present with a lot of upper arm excess, as in the case of most massive weight loss patients, tissue must be removed through a scar that runs from the elbow, through the armpit, and onto the side of the chest.
Pre-Operative: If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. Smoking can affect your ability to heal. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued prior to arm lift surgery.
Arm Lift Benefits/Advantages/Options
•Reduction in upper arm excess
•Better self image/confidence
•Being able to wear short sleeve clothing without being self-conscious
Arm Lift Recovery Process
•Compression garments placed at the end of the surgery are used for the first two to three weeks
•Recovery time is generally between one and two weeks and there is usually a drain in each arm for about a week
•Slow return of normal function of the arms and hands over a couple of weeks
