A lot of people are embarrassed about showing off their upper arms because of unattractive loose hanging skin, which tends to create a bat-wing-like appearance. Extreme weight loss is one the reasons that could leave you with hanging upper-arm skin. However, people with a normal weight can also have excess hanging fat or skin in their upper arms.
A brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure aimed at tightening the loose skin on your upper arms and removing fat. When you remove the excess tissue resulting from natural aging or weight loss, it helps in tightening the loose tissue from your underarm area all the way to your elbow.
The Brachioplasty Procedure
Your doctor may administer general anesthesia or intravenous sedation with local anesthesia to perform the arm lift surgery. The pattern and length of incision in an arm lift surgery is dependent on the location and the amount of extra skin that needs to be eliminated. Your surgeon will typically make the decision regarding the proper incision based on a detailed examination.
Incisions are typically made on the back or inside of your arm and can extend from the axilla (underarm) to a spot just above your elbow. The incisions can be more restricted depending on the specific condition of the patient.
After the incisions are made, the surgeon tightens and reshapes the underlying supportive tissue using internal sutures. Your surgeon may use the liposuction or excision technique for removing the excess fat. In the end, he will smoothly drape the skin over the new arm contours.
You may be a suitable candidate for an arm lift if:
- You have already achieved your weight loss goals but continue to struggle with stubborn underarm skin.
- You have a relatively stable weight and aren’t exactly overweight.
- You have visible laxity in the upper-arm skin due to natural aging.
- You lead a healthy lifestyle by following a nutritious diet and avoiding smoking.
- You do not have any medical conditions that could interfere with the healing process after surgery or increase risk of complications.
The Recovery Period
Once the arm lift procedure has been completed, your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions regarding post-surgical care. It is likely that you will be asked to wear a compression garment immediately after the surgery. You may remove this garment for showering or cleaning incisions as per the surgeon’s instructions.
You will require a couple weeks for recovery after an arm lift procedure. You might need to take off from work for at least a week or two. Some patients can begin driving as early as ten days into recovery.
Generally speaking, try avoiding all activities that might have the potential of increasing your blood pressure, as this could cause the incision site to bleed. The incisions should not be subjected to any kind of excessive force, motion, or abrasion during healing time.
Dr. David Dellinger
Double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dellinger has years of experience with body-contouring procedures like brachioplasty surgery. If you would like to meet with Dr. Dellinger for a consultation, arrange an appointment by contacting our office.
