Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Surgery
For some people, diet and exercise may not eliminate excess skin or fat hanging in the upper arms. Brachioplasty or arm lift surgery may be an option to help improve arm appearance by removing loose or sagging skin, which can start to develop due to aging, extreme weight changes and other factors. Some patients may opt for liposuction during an arm lift to remove excess fat deposits for a more sculpted look.
Our brachioplasty surgeons at Baptist Medical Network are here to help you learn whether an arm lift may be appropriate for you. A surgeon can also share other things to keep in mind to help maintain the procedure's results long-term.
How To Get Rid of Loose Skin on Arms
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), cream or lotion cannot lift sagging skin since it cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough. Here are other ways to help get rid of loose arm skin without surgery, but keep in mind that not all people may see significant improvement from these options:
- Noninvasive skin-tightening procedures – will not require incision or puncture but may produce temporary swelling or redness. These procedures include:
- Ultrasound – using ultrasound to help heat reach deeper into the skin.
- Radiofrequency – using a specialized device to heat the tissue underneath your skin.
- Laser treatment – using a laser to send heat deep into the skin without wounding the skin’s top layer.
- Minimally invasive skin-tightening procedures – can give more noticeable results than noninvasive procedures.
- Radiofrequency involves inserting needles into the skin to heat the skin underneath directly.
- Laser resurfacing is the most effective nonsurgical procedure for skin tightening, according to AAD. However, this procedure requires downtime wherein the patient must stay home for up to 1 week.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Brachioplasty?
A good candidate for brachioplasty surgery includes:
- Adults with significant looseness in the arm
- Adults who are at a relatively stable weight and who are not significantly overweight
- Nonsmokers
- Adults without medical conditions that affect healing or increase the risk of complications from surgery
During your consultation for possible arm reduction surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly discuss the procedure’s risks, benefits, preparation and other details. This is to help you set realistic expectations about the procedure. Depending on your condition and goals, the surgeon will customize a treatment plan that may include liposuction. Types of brachioplasty that may be performed include:
- Full brachioplasty – an incision will be made along the upper part of the inner arm.
- Limited brachioplasty – an incision will only be made to the armpit area.
How Is an Arm Lift Performed?
Brachioplasty arm skin removal generally follows these steps:
- You will be put under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on the doctor’s recommendation.
- Incision pattern and length will depend on the location and amount of excess skin to be removed. Your surgeon will use sutures to tighten and reshape the underlying supportive tissue in your arms. Liposuction may also be performed to remove excess fat if needed.
- Absorbable stitches will be used to close the surgical incisions. These will be removed within two weeks after your arm lift.
- Bandages or dressings may be used to cover your incisions. Your arms may be wrapped in a compression garment to help minimize swelling after surgery. A small, thin tube may be placed underneath your skin to drain excess fluid or blood.
Some patients may notice smoother and tighter contours almost immediately after arm lift, although bruising and swelling will likely occur.
How Painful Is Arm Lift Surgery?
It’s important to note that each patient’s experiences may vary. Still, it’s common to experience some swelling, tightness and discomfort in the surgical area in the first few days after arm lift. These symptoms typically go away within two weeks, but some patients may experience mild pain for longer.
Your surgeon will prescribe pain management instructions to help ease discomfort during your recovery. You will also be instructed to avoid sleeping on your arms for the first few nights and use pillows to elevate them when you sleep. Avoid putting pressure on your treated arms for a few weeks and wait for your surgeon’s signal before starting any activity that might strain your arm. Always follow your surgeon’s post-surgery instructions to help you heal properly.
Are Arm Lift Results Permanent?
Brachioplasty results are generally considered permanent. However, it’s important to note that brachioplasty will not stop the upper arms from sagging again if the patient has a drastic weight change. A consistent healthy diet and exercise can help maintain good results for many years. Scarring from arm lift may look different for every patient. A scar treatment program may be started after the incisions have healed, usually in the fourth week after the procedure. Incision scars should begin to improve several months after the scar treatment program.
Schedule a Consultation
Call 210-600-9110 to learn if an arm lift may be right for you.
