Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
Loose upper arm skin is most often related to weight loss. People in overweight more than likely develop heavy upper arms. To accommodate the increased volume of the upper arms, your skin stretched. After weight loss, skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags. The only way to improve this problem is through an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.
Is Liposuction an Option?
Liposuction can be a better choice when a patient has a lot of fat and the skin is tight. If the problem is loose skin, then an arm lift is usually the best choice.
Incisions and Scars in Arm Lift
Scars are the greatest drawback of this operation. They will extend from the armpit to the elbow, along the inside of the arm. This operation exchanges one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars). In general, those with very loose saggy skin are most likely to find this exchange worthwhile. Those with a small amount of looseness will probably not want the scars.
Surgery: Anesthesia
Either general or sedation.
Location of operation
Clinic or hospital.
Duration of surgery
1-2 hours
Duration of stay
Outpatient (home same day).
Discomfort
Mild to moderate. Anticipate 2-5 days of prescription pain medication.
Swelling
Improves over 14 days.
Bruising
Rarely.
Bandages
Will be removed in 1-7 days.
Stitches
Will be absorbable.
Back to work
3-7 days.
Exercise
May be resumed in 2 weeks.
Final result
Will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be about six months.
Tips and Traps of Arm Lift
Patient should realize that this operation involves the exchange of one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars). If a patient is unwilling to accept scars, they should avoid this operation. Surgeons can not predict how the scars will heal on a patient.
Arm lift is for loose skin. If your main problem is heavy arms due to excess fat, then liposuction may be a better option.