Arm Lift

 

Arm Lift, Reduction or Brachioplasty is performed to surgically eliminate loose, hanging skin from the upper arms.  Aging, long term excessive sun exposure and significant weight loss can all lead to a loss of skin elasticity.  In patients with relatively good skin tone, liposuction alone may be all that is recommended for contour improvement.  While liposuction can be performed to reduce the amount of fatty tissue in the upper arms, there will be little if any skin tightening effect.  Excess fat is generally only removed by liposuction from the inner aspect of the arm through small incisions located along the inner elbow and the posterior aspect of the armpit.  If the skin is loose and has poor tone, an arm lift is the only procedure that will lead to a significant contour improvement.  Liposuction is commonly performed prior to brachioplasty to maximize the aesthetic result.

 

Consultation:

A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering brachioplasty surgery. During this meeting, Dr. Brill will discuss the changes you want to make in your appearance, the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations.  He will evaluate your upper arms to assess the amount and location of the fatty tissue as well as the degree of skin laxity.  He will get a complete medical history, give you specific instructions preparing for surgery, including guidelines for eating and drinking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, supplements and medications.  As with any surgery, please be sure to inform us:                       

·        About any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements).

·        If you have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation, have a history of unusual or poor scarring, or cold sores– like herpes or shingles.

·        If you have any serious medical conditions.

·        About all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).

·        If you have had previous plastic surgery.

Dr. Brill will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for the procedure. The quality of your skin as well as amount of excess fat will be assessed at your consultation. This exam will allow Dr. Brill to determine the procedure right for you and if you just need liposuction alone, limited incision brachioplasty (axillary incision only) or a normal brachioplasty (incision out to the elbow).  Dr. Brill, in some cases, orders routine laboratory tests prior to surgery.  During your consult, take this time to ask all the questions you have about the surgery you are considering.  He will be happy to address any concerns you may have such as:

 

 A Good Candidate:

A good candidate for Arm Lift / Brachioplasty surgery is a patient in good health that has realistic expectations about the procedure and its results. Brachioplasty patients will have a more positive experience with cosmetic surgery if they are fully informed about what to expect before, during and after the surgery.

 

 

Procedure Details / Expectations:

The procedure is usually done under general anesthesia.  In order to remove the unwanted skin, an incision is required that runs along the inside of the arm and into the armpit.  In the standing position, we mark the area of excess skin to be removed. The incision is placed in the most inconspicuous location (inner arm toward the back), but some scarring will always be visible.  The pattern of the tissue to be removed is designed in such a way that the resulting scar cannot be seen from the front or back view when your arms are held at your side. Of course, the scar will be visible when you raise your arms.  In some cases, skin excision may be limited to the axillary or underarm area.  After the excess skin and fat is removed, the remaining skin is brought together and sutured and the incisions are covered with adhesive strips.  You will probably have several layers of stitches on the upper arm and a drain may be placed prior to skin closure to eliminate excess fluid, depending on the amount of skin and fat removed.

 

You will have a noticeable reduction or elimination of excess skin from the upper arms and they will have a more youthful appearance and thinner contour.  There will be an improved appearance in related folds of skin and fat on the upper chest near the armpit, which are particularly apparent when the arms are down at the sides.  Having an improved balance and proportion in the contour of the arm will give you greater confidence and comfort in clothing and a natural and presentable appearance in the first week that gradually improves further over the next three to six months.  Please note that the natural aging process will eventually affect the whole body, including the area treated in this procedure, but the contouring effects of arm lifts are typically long lasting, and most people are very pleased with their results.

 

 

Recovery:

After the procedure you will feel groggy.  Your arms will be placed in a special compression garment to control swelling and help the newly-sculpted skin adhere to the tissue underneath.  Some of the stitches will be absorbable, and some may have to be removed during a follow-up visit.  After a brief stay in the recovery room, you will be allowed to go home.

 

Initial healing usually occurs in 10-14 days.  Sutures are usually removed within the first 1-2 weeks.  Swelling and bruising gradually disappear over 3-4 weeks.  All swelling is gone in 3-6 months.  The scars fade in 6-24 months depending on your skin.

 

For the first week following surgery, you will have to avoid strenuous activity, including bending and lifting. You will be able to shower on the third day after surgery.  During this time there may be some numbness, lumpiness and tethering of the skin where the skin was loose before arm reduction surgery, there can be a tendency for the skin to fold differently.  You may experience moderate pain after this procedure. Pain medication, prescribed by Dr. Brill can help make you comfortable. After a few days acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen may be all that you require. But avoid aspirin; it can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. The swelling is mild to moderate, and peaks at two to three days. Any stitches that are not absorbed will be removed after about a week.  While each person’s recovery is unique, the recovery period after an arm lift generally lasts one to two weeks. You'll probably be able to return to work in a week, and resume exercise within two weeks. Strenuous workouts and contact sports can be engaged in after about four weeks. 

 

 

Other Options:

An additional procedure that may enhance the Arm Lift result is Liposuction of the upper arms or axilla.  Many people suffer from both surplus fat and surplus skin on their arms. In these cases one option is to treat by liposuction alone.  The healing process causes some tightening of the skin, but patients need to be aware that this tightening is only enough to compensate for the amount of fat removed.  This is the preferred option for patients who want to avoid the necessary scars associated with arm reduction plastic surgery that requires skin excision.  The other option for this group is to carry out liposuction combined with skin excision (brachioplasty).  This procedure causes extra contraction of the skin for smoother tighter arms.

 

 

Cost / Insurance:

 

This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance.

Approximate Cost Range: $2,000-$5,000

This price is only an average as fees vary according to patient needs.  At your consultation, you will be given exact fees, which include but are not limited to surgery, operating room, anesthesia related fees, and follow up visits.

 

** Fees vary according to patient needs.**

 

 

Risks / Complications:

The most common risks associated with this type of surgery include, but are not limited to, a reaction to the anesthesia used, excessive bleeding, infection, visible scarring, possible asymmetry or irregularities, and possible changes in nerve sensation.  The scars from an arm lift are permanent and may be visible in any position other than when the arms are hanging at the sides.

 

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

 

 

Frequently asked Questions:

Liposuction vs. Arm Lift / Brachioplasty ?

There are many women who are not obese, but who have lost some weight either as a result of exercising or dieting. However, the weight loss alone may not address the "flabbiness" and size of their arms. If these patients still have relatively good skin elasticity, it is possible to tighten their upper arms with Liposculpture, which removes the remaining excess fat.  On the other hand, if the patient had lost a significant amount of weight before, and has poor skin elasticity along with excess arm skin folds, the only viable option is to undergo an Arm Lift or Brachioplasty.  Some patients have aging or poor skin elasticity and liposuction alone will not benefit these patients who would need to undergo Brachioplasty or Arm Lift.

When will I notice the results of my Arm Lift surgery?

You will notice dramatic results with respect to loss of excess skin as soon as your physician changes your dressing after surgery. At this time the scars are rather fresh and prominent. It usually takes about 6 to 12 months for these scars to settle and gradually fade.

How prominent are the scars?

A scar will extend the length from your armpit to your elbow. In some patients these scars heal very well and become faint with time.  However, only the location of the scars is predictable. The intensity, color, and thickness of the scars from Brachioplasty are not predictable, despite skin tone or ethnicity.

 

What if permanent scars are unacceptable to me?

Accepting the permanency of these scars is the biggest predicament for many patients.  For the majority of patients, however, losing their “bat wings” makes the scars tolerable. Patients who do not regard this as a good "trade off" should not undergo Brachioplasty.

 

What are some of the benefits of an Arm Lift?

Most patients seek aesthetic improvements – arms that are once again firm and toned. However, this is just one of the many benefits of this procedure.  Benefits also include an end to the rashes that develop when excess arm skin sticks to armpit skin and to the chest, an improved ability to exercise and the ability to wear clothes comfortably.

 

Will the Arm Lift improve my muscle tone?

While it reduces flabbiness and improves contour, you will need to exercise regularly to firm the muscle beneath the skin. It will be helpful to do so before the procedure, as well.

 

Is an Arm Lift always combined with Liposuction?

Not necessarily. Although Liposuction is not an essential part of an Arm Lift, some plastic surgeons utilize it as a way of dissecting and separating the deep tissues from the skin flaps.

 

Other than Liposuction, is the Arm Lift performed with other procedures?

As more men and women lose massive amounts of weight, many plastic surgeons will perform procedures such as Body Lifts, Thigh Lifts and Butt Lifts on patients who have had Brachioplasty.  A common method is to precede Brachioplasty with the Body Lift and allow three months in between the procedures. However, an Arm Lift can be performed simultaneously with a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) or Breast Reduction.

 

 

 * Notes *

·      An arm lift procedure does not affect muscle tone.

• Women who have had a mastectomy are advised not to have an arm lift, since the surgery interrupts some of the lymphatic drainage and the combined procedures may cause the arm to swell permanently (lymphedema).
• People with a history of phlebitis or inflamed blood vessels in either arm should not undergo brachioplasty.
• You are also at increased risk for complications from liposuction if you have diabetes, poor circulation, heart, lung or liver disease, smoke, have a family history of blood clots, take certain medications, etc. You'll want to discuss your medical history thoroughly with Dr. Brill before you choose to undergo surgery.

             If you feel this procedure is something you are interested in, please call us at: 
                                
                                352-331-7987 or 1-800-428-8419

  

The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult with Dr. Brill to answer specific questions related to your medical situation.  View our Web Policy