KayaKalp
75 Herrick Street
Parkhurst Building, Suite 105
Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915
Ph. 978.927.6556
Fx. 978.927.9467
ARM LIFT (Brachioplasty)
| Procedure: | Removal of sagging skin from the armpit to the elbow |
| Length of Procedure: | 3-6 hours |
| Anesthesia: | General anesthesia in an operating room |
| In/Outpatient: | Out patient procedure |
| Side Effects: | Immediately post operative you may experience some numbness in the lower forearm and the hand. You may also have swelling or puffiness of the hand. This seems to resolve with 24-48 hours after the surgery. You may also have temporary pain, swelling, soreness, numbness of the upper arm skin, bruising, and tiredness for several weeks or months. |
| Risks: | Unfavorable scarring , Bleeding (hematoma) ,Infection, Fluid accumulation, Anesthesia risks, Poor wound healing, Skin loss, Blood clots, Numbness or other changes in skin sensation , Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling, Asymmetry , Major wound separation , Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis), Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs , Pain, which may persist, Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and possible pulmonary complications. |
| Recovery: | 1-2 weeks depending on your recovery and if other procedures are performed along with the arm lift. Usually drains are left in place for 1-2 weeks and you have to wear a post operative garment to help with the healing. |
| Duration of Results: | Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years. |
What is an arm lift?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the under portion of the upper arm, from the underarm region to the elbow. The procedure is performed to:
- Reduce excess sagging skin that droops downward
- Tighten and smooth the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm
- Reduce localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region
Best candidates for Arm Lift surgery
Fluctuations in weight, growing older and even heredity can cause your upper arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance.
Exercise may strengthen and improve the underlying muscle tone of the upper arm, but it cannot address excess skin that has lost elasticity or underlying weakened tissues and localized fat deposits.
If the underside of your upper arms are sagging or appear loose and full due to excess skin and fat, an arm lift may be right for you.
An arm lift:
- Reduces excess skin and fat between the underarm and the elbow
- Reshapes your arm to result in smoother skin and contours
- Results in a more toned and proportionate appearance
A special note: In order to achieve your improved image, there will be a scar on the inside of your upper arm.
Is an arm lift it right for me?
In general, candidates for an arm lift include:
- Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity
- Adults of any age whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweight
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
Planning your surgery
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
- To quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and 4 weeks after the surgery.
Special instructions you receive will cover:
- What to do on the day of surgery
- The use of anesthesia during your arm lift
- Post-operative care and follow-up
Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Although an arm lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital, both Dr. M. Patel and Dr. J. Patel perform the arm lift in the hospital operating room with board certified anesthesiologist to maximize patient safety.
You’ll need help
If your arm lift is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
The arm lift surgery
Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you. This will be performed by Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel in the hospital setting with board Certified Anesthesiologists.
Step 2 – The incision
Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as the best judgment of Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel.
Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm, depending on the surgeon’s preference, and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow. If fat is to be reduced during your arm lift, it will be excised or treated with liposuction.
Inner Arm Incision
Depending on your specific conditions, incisions may be more limited. Then, underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm.
Back of Arm Incision
Minimal Incision
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Your incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures, or stitches that will be removed within 1-2 weeks following your arm lift. Routinely Dr. M. Patel and Dr. J. Patel use drains to help remove fluid that may accumulate in the arm. The drains are usually removed in 1-2 weeks. You will be instructed on how to empty the drains and record the daily output.
Step 4 – See the results
The smoother, tighter contours that result from brachioplasty are apparent almost immediately following your procedure, although initial results will be somewhat obscured by swelling and bruising. Your new, shapely and toned upper arm is dramatically improved both in appearance and feel.
Important facts about the safety and risks of brachioplasty
The decision to have arm lift surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications.
The risks include:
- Unfavorable scarring
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation
- Anesthesia risks
- Poor wound healing
- Skin loss
- Blood clots
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Asymmetry
- Major wound separation
- Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs
- Pain, which may persist
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel.
It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel.
After your Surgery
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, seek medical attention immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Be careful
Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to ask Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel questions about your arm lift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel.
Your recovery
Following your surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.
You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel.
Be sure to ask Dr. M. Patel or Dr. J. Patel specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
- Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
- What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
- Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
- When will they be removed?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
- When do I return for follow-up care?
Your New Look
The results of arm lift surgery will be long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.