Whether it’s a result of weight loss or the effects of aging, we believe you should be comfortable in your favorite outfits. Diet and exercise can’t always address sagging skin or fat, so it can be frustrating when you don’t see results. An arm lift procedure can recontour and reshape your upper arm profile, removing fatty wings or leftover skin.
The arm lift, sometimes called brachioplasty or arm sculpting, is a plastic surgery procedure that reshapes the upper arm through lift techniques. It can remove excess skin and fat, as well as reposition and tighten the underlying tissues. It can sometimes use liposuction techniques to remove fat in the surrounding areas and is an effective way to reshape the body after weight loss.
The arm lift is one of the best options for patients who have ‘wings’ of fat or skin underneath the upper arm. This can also sometimes accompany looseness of the upper arm muscles, leading the inability to strengthen or tone the upper arms through diet and exercise. If you’re considering an arm lift procedure, you should be in general good health and at or near your ideal weight to prevent reversal of your results. You should also be able to undergo invasive surgery without any medical conditions that might increase your risk of complication. During your consultation, you’ll discuss your goals for this procedure to ensure they’re in-line with the outcomes of a successful arm lift.
The arm lift can be performed using one of three different types of incisions that produce different results and suit certain anatomies better than others. These include:
This type of incision follows the contour between the triceps and the bottom of the upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow. This allows for easy removal of baggy skin at the bottom of the arm.
This incision follows the length of the arm along the back of it and can be more extensive than the inner arm type. However, it may not be as easily concealable within the natural contours of the arm.
This small incision follows the curve of the armpit for much less extensive correction than other incisions. However, it can still successfully tighten somewhat-lax skin and remove fat through liposuction. It offers the most subtle and concealable scarring.
During your consultation, we’ll assess your anatomy and goals for this procedure to pick the best incision type for you and your lifestyle.
An arm lift can be performed using general anesthesia at our private, accredited surgical facility. Once you’re comfortable and prepared, anesthesia is administered. A predetermined incision is then made along the arm or armpit, which allows access to the underlying tissues. Fat pockets can be removed using liposuction and the upper arm muscles can be tightened using sutures. Then, any excess skin can be trimmed away before the incisions are closed and drains are placed. Depending on how extensive your procedure is, this process can take one to three hours.
After your arm lift procedure, you should expect to take one to two weeks off from work or school, during which you will need to avoid any lifting or stretching. You can also expect some discomfort and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed medications. You’ll be asked to wear a compression garment at the treatment area until later on in your recovery since this can aid blood flow and help your skin adhere to the new contour.
After plastic surgery, the best way to maintain your results is through leading a healthy lifestyle and avoiding weight gain. An arm lift can be one of the most effective ways to reshape the contours and profile of the arms, but it can’t stop the process of further aging. That’s why we can create a long-term plan to maintain your results with additional touch-ups if needed.
To begin discussing your options with an arm lift procedure, contact our St. Joseph office by calling or filling out our online form. Our expert patient coordinators can schedule a consultation with our surgeon to plan your unique plastic surgery journey.
