Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Our arms are an integral part of our body, often on display, and play a pivotal role in many of our daily activities, from reaching out for a hug to waving goodbye. Over the years, the skin of the upper arms can lose its elasticity and might start to sag or become loose due to factors, including the natural aging process, hereditary tendencies, and significant fluctuations in weight. These changes can make individuals feel self-conscious, especially when wearing sleeveless or short-sleeved clothing, and can sometimes even limit their range of comfortable clothing options. While toning exercises can help improve muscular definition, they might not adequately address drooping skin. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is specifically designed to tackle this issue. It removes the excess skin and fat, giving the upper arms a more contoured, youthful appearance.
Are you ready to make an appointment?
How an Arm Lift works
The surgery starts with an incision on the inside or back of the arm, which may span from the underarm to just above the elbow, depending on the amount of correction needed. Excess fat might be directly excised or treated with liposuction. The underlying supportive tissue is then tightened and reshaped, and the skin is smoothed over the new contour. Once the desired shape is achieved, sutures are placed to close the skin.
Recovery involves some downtime and adherence to post-operative care instructions. Post-surgery, patients must wear compression garments. These are not only for comfort, but also to help minimize swelling and supports the healing tissues. On occasion, temporary tubes might be placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.
The recovery involves some swelling and bruising, which will diminish over time, revealing smoother, tighter, and more contoured upper arms. Patients are usually advised to keep their arms elevated as much as possible and to avoid straining or lifting heavy objects for several weeks. Most patients can return to work and daily activities within 2 weeks but should avoid vigorous physical activity for at least 6 weeks.
Following a brachioplasty, scars are inevitable. Although they fade overtime, the scars underside or along the back of the arms, sometimes even extending slightly towards the chest will be noticeable in certain clothing, especially short sleeves. It’s vital to weigh this against the transformative results of the procedure. Patients who undergo brachioplasty must accept that this trade-off is worth the immediate improvement in their appearance.
Surgery length
2-3 hours
Anaesthesia
General
Hospitalization
No overnight stay required
Risks
Temporary swelling, bruising, some pain, bleeding, infection, fluid collections, healing problems, nerve injury causing numbness, skin necrosis