A brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the underarm region from the armpit to the elbow, giving the arm a more toned and proportionate appearance.
There are many reasons why someone would undergo an arm lift; post-pregnancy, aging, or fluctuations in weight are all factors in having sagging upper arm skin. Exercise often strengthens the muscles in this area, improving the look of the upper arm, but exercise cannot address the excess skin that has lost its elasticity.
Visit your surgeon to discuss whether you are a good candidate for an arm lift. Your surgeon will examine your arms and determine whether the surgery would be effective for you. Be sure to tell your surgeon exactly what kind of results you are expecting, so your surgeon can be honest with you regarding the results.
On the day of the surgery, you will be given anesthesia for your comfort. The surgeon will make an incision on the underside or back of your arm, depending on the amount of skin or fat to be removed. If you are having fat removed, that may be done through the use of liposuction. Following that, the underlying tissue is tightened with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is reshaped over the new contour of your arm.
While the results will be almost immediately noticeable, it will be at least a couple weeks before you will be able to resume normal activity. Your arms will be wrapped in gauze and may need tubes placed in them to help with the draining of fluids. There may be some swelling and bruising, which will go down with time. Allow your body time to heal before undergoing any strenuous physical activity.
For more information about an arm lift, call our office at (702) 671-5110 or schedule your appointment online today.