Arm Lift

Recommended For Arm Lift

Brachioplasty surgery, also known as arm lift surgery, is recommended for any patient dissatisfied with the look or shape of their upper arms, especially for those with significant upper arm skin laxity.

Not Recommended For Arm Lift

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty surgery, is not recommended for morbidly obese individuals or patients suffering from any serious illness or any significant medical conditions that impair healing or increase the risk of surgery. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also wait before having this procedure. Other contraindications include heavy smokers, a medical history of blood clotting, and suffering from an active infection in the body that may increase the risk of the surgery.

Discharge From Hospital

Patient is required to stay 1 night in the hospital

Duration Of Operation

1 to 3 hours

Overview

Brachioplasty surgery, also known as arm lift surgery, is a cosmetic procedure usually performed to provide the upper arms area with a more aesthetically pleasing contour. The term brachioplasty can also refer to any type of surgical arm contouring. The arm lift is preferred widely for treating sagging underarms by reducing extra skin, tightening the tissue, and removing extra fat in the area. This procedure can make the upper arms look more toned and gain the patients a fitter and younger look.

Some patients may have excess droopy skin, and others may be dissatisfied with the contour and proportions of their upper arms. After the age of 30, body fats have a tendency to increase, and lean muscles tend to decrease. These typical changes can be related to hormonal changes that occur with age, but also due to being less active.
 

Although this procedure is usually chosen by patients after losing a lot of weight, it can also be applied to people with fixed weight - some patients may also experience problems with weight loss in a particular area, in this case, the arms. In some cases, dietary changes and exercise programs simply don’t work – this is a scenario where an arm lift surgery becomes necessary. 

Brachioplasty surgery or arm lift surgery – What can it achieve?

 

• An arm lift procedure can remove the excess sagging skin
• It can tighten and smooth out the arms supportive tissue, giving it a more appealing shape to the arms
• Arm lift surgery can also eliminate the fatty tissue build-ups in the upper arm region

 

Preparation

It's important that patients quit smoking for a month before and after the procedure to reduce the risk of complications. Blood thinners such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory, herbal teas, herbal supplements, omega 3 capsules need to be avoided for at least 2 weeks before the brachioplasty surgery is set to begin. Patients need to have a stable weight before they undergo surgery.

How It Is Performed

During the arm lift surgery, patients usually are operated under general anesthesia. However, intravenous sedation is enough to perform the operation, in particular cases.

There are three main types of incisions used in brachioplasty surgeries. The type and length of the incision to be used during the surgery depends on the amount of excess sagging skin to be removed and the amount of fat tissue in the arm region. The main incision types are: 

• An inner arm incision
• Back of the arm incision
• Minimal incision 
   

Once the appropriate incision is created, the surgeon will begin to tighten the supportive tissue from beneath the skin and reshape it with internal sutures. Excess fatty tissue may also be removed at this point, either through a direct excision or liposuction. Finally, the excess droopy skin tissue is removed, and then the incision is closed with sutures.Incisions will be closed either with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks after the surgery.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of incision. Arm lift scars can be extensive or minimal, but it depends on the patient's condition. Generally speaking, arm lift scars are more hidden when using the inner arm incision technique. 

Recovery

The average arm lift recovery period lasts around 2-3 weeks. Bandages, dressings or compression garments will be applied on the incision site. Most patients can return to work after around a week. It is normal to have a mild to moderate amount of pain and discomfort after surgery. This should be easily controlled with oral medications. The discomfort and pain should begin to decrease within 48 hours after surgery. If the patient has a significant increase in pain after this period, he or she should inform the plastic surgeon.

Exercise, sports, or physically draining activities need to be avoided for at least 4 weeks, giving the body ample time to heal. Arm movement at the shoulder should be avoided in the first 4 weeks, as it can have a negative effect on the healing process.

Risks

Arm lift surgery risks and complications can include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Infections
• Unappealing scars
• Bleeding
• Seromas
• Fat necrosis
• Numbness
• Arm lift surgery revision
• Asymmetry
• Extensive bleeding

Side Effects

Arm lift operation side effects can include: 

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Temporary loss of sensation
• Pain
• Irritation, drainage, and redness around sutures

Success Rates

Arm lift surgery reviews set the average success rate at 90%.

Before And After

Patients need to maintain a stable weight before and after brachioplasty surgery. Even though the skin and fatty tissue has been removed, it can grow back if the patient gains weight.

Faq

How Long Before I Can Resume Exercise or Sports?
Patients can return to sports in around 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the extent of the arm lift surgery. 

Is Arm Lift Surgery Painful?
All plastic surgery procedures cause some discomfort and pain. Arm lift surgery is not painful, especially since patients are given painkillers.

How Long Before The Scar Is Fully Healed?
The scar will heal in around 2-3 weeks. Without the scar, this surgical procedure cannot be done, but the scar mostly becomes almost invisible after this period.

Back To Work

1 week

Back To Sports

4 to 6 weeks

Extra Content

This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in May, 2019.