Arm Lift | Brachioplasty
The arm lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that addresses sagging skin under the upper arm as a result of dramatic weight loss, age, or heredity.
During the arm lift surgery, a qualified cosmetic surgeon reshapes the contour of the arm by removing excess fat with liposuction or surgical skin removal, reducing the amount of loose skin in the arms. Also known as brachioplasty, the arm lift can give individuals with drooping underarms a more toned, youthful appearance.
When to Choose the Arm Lift
Individuals who are interested in changing the appearance of drooping, sagging arms may benefit from the arm lift. These patients have tried diet and exercise in order to shrink the size of their arms, but to no avail. Common indications for the arm lift include:
- Loose skin in the upper arms, or "bat-wing" arms
- Self conscious about flabby arms
- Willing to accept scars as trade off
It is also critical that those who wish to undergo arm lift surgery are healthy non-smokers and present adequate skin elasticity.
What to Expect During Your Arm Lift
As a result of weight loss, loose skin on the body has become a frequent cosmetic surgery concern. An arm lift is designed to remedy this problem by tightening or removing the loose skin and tissue on the arms.
This information addresses a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the tricep area of the upper arm. Those patients who elect to have this procedure must understand that they are trading flabby upper arms for firmer upper arms and scars that may be unappealing to them. However, most patients are very happy to accept the limitations of the procedure to have smaller, firmer upper arms.
This procedure is performed in our accredited operating room under local tumescent anesthesia and IV sedation. You will be in and out of a comfortable sleep during the procedure and may remember very little.
Before the procedure, the patient’s upper arms are measured and marked for the planned skin removal. The area is infiltrated with a dilute lidocaine solution to numb it and to constrict blood vessels to minimize bleeding. Liposuction will be performed in the area of the arm where skin will be removed to debulk it. An incision is then made from the armpit to the elbow. The excess skin and fat is removed and the incision is sutured closed. A soft, gauze dressing is applied to the wound.
The risks of surgery in general include heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, numbness around the incision, and scarring.
What Happens During Recovery?
- Minimal to moderate pain is expected once the numbness wears off. Pain medication or a prescription for pain medication will be supplied to you. Many patients do well with Tylenol.
- You will be changed from the gauze dressing to elastic sleeves after a few days. You will be asked to wear those sleeves for four to six weeks while your arms heal.
- The stitches will be removed in approximately 10 – 12 days.
- You will be sponge bathing only until after the stitches are out.
- Expect to take about two weeks off from work to undergo this procedure and longer if you do heavy lifting with your arms.
Please contact us if you have questions about arm lift surgery, the "arm tuck" or brachioplasty in Sacramento. Our office is located less than 20 minutes east of Sacramento, so it is convenient for residents of Roseville, as well. Please give us a call at 916-564-8888 or email us with the online contact form to set up a consultation.