Arm Lift - The Bliss Room Medical Spa & Wellness

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Arm Lift

An arm lift, also called a brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the arm, between the armpit and elbow.

Who is a Candidate?

An arm lift may be an option for aging individuals who have sagging and loose skin. Patients who have lost significant weight may also have drooping skin under their upper arms. Though exercise can help strengthen and tone upper arm muscles, it won’t be effective in addressing excess skin that has lost elasticity. An arm lift will not only remove excess skin, but can also help boost body image and self-confidence.

An arm lift may not be appropriate for individuals who:

Smoke
Are overweight or obese
Have frequent weight fluctuations
Have a medical condition that inhibits wound healing

Potential Side Effects and Risks

The risks of an arm lift include:

Scarring. Patients will have permanent incision scars after undergoing surgery. However, they are strategically placed in areas not easily visible. In rare cases, patients can end up with raised, red scars. Corticosteroid medication and other treatments may be necessary to improve the appearance of scars.
Asymmetry. The surgeon will do his or her best to make the patient’s arms look as symmetrical as possible, but perfect symmetry is not possible. Asymmetry can also be caused by changes during the healing process.
Changes in skin sensation. Patients may experience temporary numbness if the repositioning of arm tissues affects superficial sensory nerves.
Visible stitches. Stitches used to support the arm’s new shape may shift to the surface of the skin and need to be removed. Patients may experience inflammation and require additional surgery.

Other standard risks of surgery include bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

How to Prepare For Surgery

During an initial consultation, the plastic surgeon will review the patient’s medical history, discuss the patient’s recent surgeries, and ask about medications they are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.

The physician will examine the undersides of the patient’s upper arms and take pictures for medical records. Depending on the patient’s unique condition, the physician will discuss treatment options and expectations. Patients should understand the benefits and risks of the procedure before scheduling an arm lift.

Patients who smoke or use other tobacco products will be required to stop until the incisions have fully healed, as smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and slows the recovery process.

Patients will be advised to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.

The Procedure

The surgeon will begin by making incisions on the undersides of the patient’s arms. Next, he or she will make stitches to tighten underlying tissues and use a suction technique, also known as liposuction, to remove excess fat. The patient’s skin will be draped over the new contours and excess skin will be removed. The surgeon will close the incisions using stitches or surgical tape.

The Recovery Process

The patient’s arms will be wrapped in elastic bandages to minimize swelling. Patients may also have small tubes placed into their arms to drain excess blood or fluid. The bandages and drainage tube will be removed within a few days after the procedure. Patients will receive detailed instructions for activities they are to avoid until the incisions are fully healed.