Arm lift

Also Known as–Brachioplasty

Procedures
Face
Breast
Body
Hair
Non Surgical

Indications

Ideal candidates for arm lift surgeryare:

  • Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity
  • Not significantly overweight
  • No comorbid medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
  • Non-smokers
  • Individuals with realistic expectations
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What does the procedure achieve?

An arm liftis a surgical procedure to reshape and recontour the under portion of the upper arm, from the armpit region to the elbow.The skin over the medial arm tends to get loose with increasing age or as a result of significant weight loss. It is often difficult or impossible to tighten this loose skin with just exercise or other non-surgical methods. An arm lift, or brachioplasty

- Reduces the excess fat in the upper arm

- Reduces the excess and loose sagging skin that hangs downward

- Tightens the arm skin envelope to give it a better aesthetic shape

Consultation

At a detailed preoperative consultation, your surgeon will:

- Discuss your surgical goals and expectations

- Evaluateyour general health status and risk factors

- Elicit History of previous surgeries and medical conditions

- Elicit History of all current medications

- Ask about Allergies (including drug allergies), addictions if any

- Take Preop photographs and plan for your procedure

- Discuss all treatment options

- Explain the possible outcomes

- Potential risks and complications of the surgery

Anaesthesia

Surgery can be performed either under intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Anaesthesia is crucial for the comfort of the patient, control of vital parameters and for the surgeon to be able to perform the surgery without distraction. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

  • Detailed medical evaluation by Blood tests, Xrays, ECG, Stress Test etc
  • Control of any co-morbid medical conditions such as Diabetes, High Blood pressure, Heart disease, Chronic Asthma
  • Stop smoking at least 48-72 hours prior to surgery, preferably 1 week earlier
  • Stop all blood thinners, Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding during surgery
  • Evaluation by physician and anaesthesiologist, as necessary

The incision usually extends from the armpit to just above the elbow, on the inner side or back of the arm, depending on the Plastic Surgeon’s preference and ability to conceal it best. First, excess fat may be directly removed or may be removed with liposuction.Then theunderlying supportive tissue istightened, and trial sutures are taken. Finally, the excess skin is removed and remaining skinre-draped to give a smooth contour to the arm.A drain tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.The incisions will be closed either with absorbable sutures or with stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks following the surgery.

The smoother, tighter contours are apparent almost immediately following the procedure. However, some swelling and bruising is expected for the next few weeks. After the surgery, dressings or bandages are applied, and the arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling.

Postop instructions will include:

- Care for the surgical site and drains

- Post-op Medications, including Antibiotics and Pain medication

- Specific restrictions of movement and stretching

- Follow up instructions

Risks and complications

- Anesthesiarelated risks

- Bleeding

- Infection

- Seroma

- Delayed wound healing

- Skin necrosis leading to wound formation

- Scars along the inner side of the upper arm

- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles

- Fat necrosis

- Sensory disturbances (numbness, paresthesia)

- Post-op Pain

- Asymmetry and Need for fine-tuning / Revision surgery