An Arm Lift is a surgical procedure that treats excess skin of the upper arm and axillary (arm pit) regions. our patients often complain of excess skin of this area after weight loss or with age. As with many plastic surgical procedures, the surgical technique used to address this area depends on the severity of the excess skin. In mild cases, certain non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures can be performed to help tighten and lift the excess skin and fatty tissue. In other cases, either a short scar or an extended scar procedure is required to achieve maximum results.
This arm lift Procedure entails using special technology devices to create tightening and lift effect in the sagging arm skin without creating any inscion (cut). Suitable patients with mild laxity can be a candidate for this procedure.
Many of our patients who have undergone massive weight loss or have developed excess arm skin with age are very self-conscious about this area. They complain that clothes don’t fit correctly, they are unable to wear short sleeves, and can have hygiene issues as well. Some patients simply desire a sleeker, tighter looking arm. An arm lift can help you achieve this sleek contour and feel better about your arms in clothing with or without sleeves.
Arm lift procedures generally require a careful balance between scarring and contour. The limit of skin excision is crucial to prevent complications and upper limb lymphedema. While everyone's goal is to maximize contour and minimize scarring, sometimes a trade-off may be necessary.
Many patients seeking an arm lift (brachioplasty) have undergone massive weight loss and require removal of excess skin from several areas of the body including the abdomen, thighs, back, breast, and face.
Your recovery will depend on the type of procedure performed by your surgeon. You will likely have a surgical sleeve garment with surgical dressings in place. It is normal to have some drainage on these dressings after surgery. Depending on the type of procedure, you may also have some drain tubes in place. You will be given a scar care kit and detailed instructions regarding scar management. In certain conditions, to ensure your proper wound healing a special technology called V.A.C (negative pressure wound dressing) is utilized to accelerate your healing process and minimize the scarring.
The ideal candidate for an arm lift is anyone who has achieved a stable body weight but still has excess skin on their upper arms, due to aging or weight loss. It is best for patients to have a healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude about the surgery, and the ability to take time off work to recover. There is no upper limit on the age of candidates for an arm lift, as long as a doctor considers the patient to be adequately healthy for the procedure.
Yes, arm lifts are highly recommended for men who are in good health and want to improve the appearance of their upper arms.
Before an arm lift, the surgical team requires patients to stop smoking, avoid blood thinning medications. These are normal precautions to reduce adverse risks during surgery. Patients are also advised to prepare for their recovery; this means arranging for a proper work free time (one to two weeks) after the procedure.
The extent of the scarring after an arm lift will depend on the surgical techniques used and how much extra skin is removed. Advanced surgical techniques can be utilized to hide and minimize scarring.