Arm Lift
Aging and genetics both play a role in the development of sagging skin. You might also be left with extra skin after losing a lot of weight. Although weight loss is great for your health and self-confidence, it can often result in excess hanging skin & can cause your upper arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance. This condition cannot be corrected through exercise.
Using brachioplasty procedure (also called arm lift), patients have the option of reducing excess sagging skin that droops downwards, tighten & smoothen arm tissues that define shape of upper arm and repair stretched muscles. The procedure removes excess skin and fat from your upper arms to give them a slimmer contour and shape. This surgery is often combined with Liposuction to achieve better result.
Operation
There are several ways of performing an arm lift but the most common ones involve incisions on the inside or back your arms. Other options include an armpit incision or one that extends from the top of your elbow to your armpit. Guided by the marks they made on your arm, your surgeon goes in and tightens or reshapes the tissue in your upper arm. Your skin is pulled back over the tissue to achieve desired result.
Brachioplasty procedure is performed under general anesthesia & takes anywhere between 2 to 4 hours. The procedure requires overnight stay.
Result
Brachioplasty procedure will help achieve following.
- Toned and defined upper arms
- Improved body image and self-esteem
What about scars?
Brachioplasty scar extends from the armpit to the elbow either on the very back of the arm or on the inside, facing the chest wall. Therefore, the scar is longer and somewhat more difficult to hide in short-sleeved shirts. As compared to regular incisions made during any other surgery, incisions made during plastic surgery are usually thin. Scars often fade with time and become barely noticeable. Scar lightening will take several months up to a year after surgery. Scarring tends to be most visible in people with extremely dark skin. Please discuss about scars with your surgeon.
Risks/ Complications
Brachioplasty is generally a safe procedure but following potential complaints, risks and complications may occur; most of which will subside in 2 weeks’ time. These are largely driven by one’s healing abilities.
- Bleeding, Infection, Bruising, swelling & pain
- Nausea
- Itching around wound
In rare case, as with all surgical procedures, a revision surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.
Care after treatment/ surgery
Immediately following surgery, your surgeon might insert a temporary drainage tube in your arm to drain any fluid or blood that builds up after surgery. Your arms will be covered with pressure garments to support natural healing process, minimize bruising and swelling. Most patients return to normal activities within 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. It may be several weeks before you can do vigorous activities including gym, sex etc. Your recovery in hospital during 1st few days after surgery will be very fast as your body will channelize all its energy on healing.
After you are discharged from hospital, you will see your surgeon in post-surgery follow up sessions during which as well, you will be given more guidance on care, activities etc. Any plastic or other surgery does not stop biological ageing process and your surgeon will recommend you ways to have effect of surgery lasted for long.
Costs
Costs for individual procedures will vary widely based on procedure & hospital chosen for surgery but usually involves following.
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital facility charges
- Anesthesia fees
- Medical tests, medicines & implants (if any)
- Any post-surgery garments
If revision surgery is needed in a rare case, your surgeon will not charge Surgeon’s fee but other costs will have to be borne by patient as applicable.