Brachioplasty — Arm Lift Procedure for Men and Women

An arm lift plastic surgery can help men and women who end up with a lot of excess skin on their arms. The challenge is that even intense workouts at the gym cannot correct this problem. Not only is flappy skin embarrassing but also uncomfortable.

Get an arm lift to get rid of loose skin

For people with excess skin, an arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a viable solution.

What is an arm lift?

As the name implies, an arm lift is a form of plastic surgery that removes excess skin on the under portion of the upper arm. For this, the surgeon removes the extra skin to improve the arm’s appearance.

Who makes good candidates?

Typically, an arm lift, or brachioplasty, works great for men and women who lost a lot of weight. It also helps people as they age. For instance, when someone drops significant weight, whether as part of a gastric bypass or by making lifestyle changes, fat disappears, but loose skin remains.

Age is another cause of loose arm skin. Often around the age of 50, men and women begin to see changes in their body, in particular, their skin. Initially, some choose to have a noninvasive procedure done to help tighten it. While this helps, eventually, the only permanent option is with plastic surgery.

Possible risks

Anyone considering an arm lift should understand the potential risks involved. Most are rare, though.

• Scarring — Since this plastic surgery requires a lot of stitches, some may show even after healing
• Asymmetry — There is a risk of an arm lift leaving a patient with an asymmetric appearance
• Skin sensation — Another potential risk is a patient may experience slight numbness when repositioning the arm due to the superficial sensory nerves
• Stitches — The stitches could work their way to the surface, requiring the surgeon to remove them and possibly suture the incision again
• Infection — As with any type of plastic surgery, a patient could develop an infection

So, what are the stages of an arm lift procedure?

1. Before plastic surgery

Before having an arm lift, the surgeon goes over the details with the patient. During the consultation, the doctor will have the individual stop taking specific medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. That way, there is no risk of delayed healing or excessive bleeding during the operation.

2. During plastic surgery

While under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes incisions from the armpit to the elbow on the undersides of both arms. The actual length and pattern depend on the amount of loose skin involved. The surgeon then pulls the remaining skin together. Once sutured, the skin tightens. If a patient has fat deposits, the doctor may perform liposuction at the same time.

3. After plastic surgery

Following an arm lift plastic surgery, the surgeon inserts small drain tubes to eliminate excess fluid and blood. The arms are then wrapped in bandages to reduce swelling. After about two days, the surgeon will examine the arms. At that time, the doctor may also remove the drain tubes and bandages. If there is still swelling, the patient may have to wear compression sleeves for roughly two weeks.

Eliminate unwanted arm skin

Just because you have excessive skin does not mean you have to live with it. An arm lift can make a tremendous difference.

Request an appointment here: https://paulcdillonmd.com or call Paul C. Dillon, MD Inc at (847) 429-3185 for an appointment in our Schaumburg office.

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