ARM LIFT

Reaching your goal weight is an exciting milestone, but for many men and women who have achieved significant weight loss, it’s not the end of the story. Weight loss can leave behind stretched skin that refuses to spring back and conform to your slimmed-down physique. In the upper arm area, these sagging flaps of tissue are sometimes known as “bat wings.”

Those who maintain a healthy and stable weight can also develop loose arm tissue as a result of heredity or the natural aging process. Exercise can help strengthen the muscles and improve the underlying tone of the upper arm, but it cannot remove localized fat deposits or excess skin that has lost elasticity. Brachioplasty, often called an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the underside of the upper arm for more aesthetically pleasing, proportionate and youthful contours.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ARM LIFT SURGERY?

It may be the right time to consider arm lift surgery if:

  • You have sagging skin and fat that droops between the underarm and the elbow

  • Your skin has lost elasticity due to aging

  • Your loose skin has taken on a “crepey” appearance

  • You have lost a significant amount of weight and have extra arm tissue that does not respond to diet and exercise

  • You are experiencing physical problems such as chafing, rashes and skin irritation due to excess arm skin

  • You feel self-conscious wearing short-sleeved or sleeveless garments

WHAT HAPPENS DURING ARM LIFT SURGERY?

Surgeons use multiple techniques to perform arm lift surgery. The technique used for your procedure will be selected based on the elasticity of your skin, the amount of skin and fat to be removed, and your desired aesthetic outcome. Brachioplasty incisions are typically placed on the inside of the arms or on the back of the arms. For patients with a large amount of skin and fatty tissue, a long incision that extends from the armpit to the elbow is usually the most effective technique. For patients with mild to moderate amounts of fat and loose skin, a less invasive technique (“limited incision brachioplasty”) that places incisions in the underarms can achieve good results with less visible scarring.

After marking the incisions, your surgeon will tighten and reshape the underlying tissues of your arm to produce a slimmer and more youthful contour. Excess fat and skin will be surgically removed. Liposuction may also be used to reduce fat in the area. The incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed during a follow-up appointment.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING RECOVERY?

After arm lift surgery, bandages or dressings may be applied to your incisions and your arms may be wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling. A thin tube may be placed under the skin temporarily to drain excess fluid. It’s normal to experience some bruising, swelling and pain, and vigorous physical activity will be limited for several weeks following surgery. Sleeping with your arms elevated can help reduce swelling. Most patients return to work one week or two weeks after brachioplasty, depending on the level of physical activity required by their job. Scars can be slow to heal. It may be up to a year before your scars mature completely.

WHAT RESULTS CAN ARM LIFT SURGERY ACHIEVE?

Brachioplasty produces smoother, tighter contours immediately following your procedure. As the bruising and swelling subside, your new upper arm contours will reveal themselves and your final results will emerge. Typical arm lift results include:

  • Reduction of loose skin hanging between the armpit and the elbow

  • Reduction of localized pockets of fat in the upper arm

  • A more shapely, proportionate and youthful appearance to the upper arm

  • Increased confidence wearing clothing that exposes the arms

The results of brachioplasty are long-lasting provided you maintain a healthy, stable weight. While your arms will naturally lose firmness and tone as your body ages, you will likely continue to see contouring benefits from your arm lift procedure.

WHAT RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ARM LIFT SURGERY?

The decision to have any surgical procedure is extremely personal. Patients considering brachioplasty should be aware that the procedure will involve permanent scars. Depending on the incision technique used, these scars may extend down the full inner arm from the armpit to the elbow. The length of the scar is determined by how much excess skin must be removed to accomplish your goals. Many patients, even those who undergo standard brachioplasty, feel this is a worthwhile trade-off for the benefit of removing excess skin and are satisfied with the results.