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Why it's Done
An arm lift — also known as Brachioplasty — is a cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the under a portion of your upper arms.
During an arm lift, excess skin and fat are removed from the underarms — between the armpit and elbow. The skin is then draped back over the newly repositioned contours to create a more toned look.
You might choose to have an arm lift if the undersides of your upper arms are sagging. An arm lift might also boost your body image.
As you get older, the skin on your upper arms changes — sagging and becoming loose. Significant weight loss can also cause the undersides of your upper arms to droop.
You might consider an arm lift if:
- Your upper arm skin is drooping
- You have excess fat in the undersides of your upper arms
While exercise can strengthen and improve muscle tone in the upper arm, it can't address excess skin that has lost elasticity.
An arm lift isn't for everyone. Your doctor might caution against an arm lift if you:
An arm lift isn't for everyone. Your doctor might caution against an arm lift if you:
- Are significantly overweight
- Have frequent changes in your weight
What you can expect:
An arm lift can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility.
Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anaesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anaesthesia — which renders you unconscious — is recommended.
Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anaesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anaesthesia — which renders you unconscious — is recommended.
During the procedure:
Your plastic surgeon will make incisions on the undersides of your arms. The length and pattern of the incisions depend on how much skin will be removed.
After making the incisions, the plastic surgeon will tighten your underlying tissues and secure them with stitches. He or she might also use a suction technique to remove fat (liposuction). Your skin will then be draped over the new contours and excess skin will be removed. Stitches or surgical tape will be used to close the incisions.
The procedure typically takes one and a half to two hours.
After making the incisions, the plastic surgeon will tighten your underlying tissues and secure them with stitches. He or she might also use a suction technique to remove fat (liposuction). Your skin will then be draped over the new contours and excess skin will be removed. Stitches or surgical tape will be used to close the incisions.
The procedure typically takes one and a half to two hours.
After the procedure:
After an arm lift, your incisions will be covered in bandages. Your arms will be loosely wrapped in elastic bandages to minimise swelling. Small tubes might be placed in your arms to drain any excess blood or fluid.
Risk
An arm lift poses various risks, including:
Scarring. Incision scars from an arm lift are permanent but typically placed in areas that aren't easily visible. Rarely, incisions can result in raised, red scars. Injections of a corticosteroid medication or other treatments might be used to improve the appearance of scars.
Asymmetry in the shape of your arms. This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery might not successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry.
Changes in skin sensation. During an arm lift, the repositioning of your arm tissues can affect superficial sensory nerves. You'll likely feel some temporary numbness.
Problems with stitches. Stitches used to secure the arm's new shape might work their way to the surface of the skin and need to be removed. This can cause inflammation of the affected skin. As a result, you might need additional surgery.
Like any other type of major surgery, an arm lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anaesthesia.
Scarring. Incision scars from an arm lift are permanent but typically placed in areas that aren't easily visible. Rarely, incisions can result in raised, red scars. Injections of a corticosteroid medication or other treatments might be used to improve the appearance of scars.
Asymmetry in the shape of your arms. This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery might not successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry.
Changes in skin sensation. During an arm lift, the repositioning of your arm tissues can affect superficial sensory nerves. You'll likely feel some temporary numbness.
Problems with stitches. Stitches used to secure the arm's new shape might work their way to the surface of the skin and need to be removed. This can cause inflammation of the affected skin. As a result, you might need additional surgery.
Like any other type of major surgery, an arm lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anaesthesia.
How to Prepare
Initially, you'll talk to a plastic surgeon about an arm lift. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:
Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you're taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you've had.
Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the doctor will examine the undersides of your upper arms. The doctor might also take pictures of your arms for your medical record.
Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want an arm lift and what you're hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks, including scarring.
Before an arm lift you might also need to:
Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
Avoid certain medications. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you as you begin to recover.
Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you're taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you've had.
Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the doctor will examine the undersides of your upper arms. The doctor might also take pictures of your arms for your medical record.
Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want an arm lift and what you're hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks, including scarring.
Before an arm lift you might also need to:
Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
Avoid certain medications. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you as you begin to recover.
