Arm Lift
Orange County, CA
An arm lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the look of the area under the upper arms. The procedure, also known as brachioplasty, involves removing excess fat and skin from the area between the armpit and the elbow. The surgeon will reattach the remaining skin over the newly formed contours to give the arm a better tone.
Who Needs
An Arm Lift?
The skin on the upper arms changes with aging, usually loosening and sagging. Rapid weight gain can also make the underpart of the upper arms droop. Although exercise can strengthen and improve muscle tone, it cannot repair skin which has lost elasticity.
A person might opt for an arm lift if the undersides of the upper arms are sagging. The procedure can enhance body image and boost confidence. However, an arm lift is not suitable for everybody. The surgeon might warn against the surgery if the patient is obese, is a smoker, has unstable weight changes or has a condition that might affect recovery.
The Arm Lift
Procedure
During the initial consultation, the plastic surgeon will review the patient’s medical history, including any present or past ailments, current medications — including over-the-counter or herbal supplements — and any previous surgery. Patients will also undergo a physical examination before discussing their expectations. The doctor will explain the benefits and risks of the procedure and make any recommendations (such as smoking cessation) ahead of surgery.
The surgeon may perform the arm lift with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Patients will need to plan for transportation back home as they will be in no condition to drive.
The plastic surgeon will create incisions on the undersides of the arm. The extent and method of cutting will depend on the amount of skin to be removed. After making the incision, the surgeon will tighten the tissues and hold them with stitches. Liposuction might be applied to reduce fat. The skin will be stretched over the new contours, and excess skin will be cut off. The surgeon will then seal the incisions with surgical tape or stitches.
Before & After Photos
After Surgery for
An Arm Lift Procedure
The doctor will cover the incisions with bandages after the arm lift. The arms will be carefully wrapped in elastic bandages to reduce swelling. Tiny tubes might be attached to the arms to remove excess blood or fluid.
An additional appointment will be necessary after a day or two to remove the bandages and any drainage tubes. The plastic surgeon might recommend wearing a compression sleeve for some weeks to stop any swelling.
Within the first few days of the procedure, the patient needs to:
- Avoid raising the arms above the shoulders for two to four weeks
- Stay away from physical or athletic activities for four to eight weeks to ensure full healing
- Use pain meds as recommended and apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infections
In Conclusion
When loose skin is removed during the arm lift procedure, the upper arms will have a more toned appearance. The results are usually long-lasting, although aging might cause the skin to sag a bit. If any complications occur, patients need to contact their doctor immediately.
