What is Arm Lift ?
Arm lift, medically known as Brachioplasty is a plastic surgery procedure where the excess skin and fat from the arms is surgically removed. Arm lift corrects imperfections of the upper arms when the person is not satisfied with the physical appearance of the arms, the reasons of which could be many:
- Extreme weight-loss leading to sagging skin
- Sagging and stretched skin due to age
- Tenacious fat pockets that don't decrease even with exercise and diet
- When sagging arms cause unhygienic conditions and uncomfortable for proper functioning of the person's normal activities
- Simply for desire of better looking and toned arms
Am I a good Candidate?
If you have lost a lot of weight and have a large amount of loose skin in the area where it used to be fat, or have excessively bulky arms with loose skin, you are a good candidate for the arm lift plastic surgery. You should be 18 or above, physically healthy, emotionally stable and have realistic expectations from the surgery.
Arm Lift Options
Standard Brachioplasty: The standard procedure removes the excess fat and skin from armpit to the elbows.
Extended Brachioplasty: This is an extended form of standard brachioplasty which entails removal of excess skin and fat from the armpit and along the side of the chest wall as well, along with arm fat and skin.
Minimal incision arm-lift: This procedure is for people who have moderate amounts of skin sagging and very less fat to be removed. Fat can be removed through liposuction. The excess skin is removed and tucked under the armpit where the scar lies discreetly.
Arm Liposuction: Liposuction alone can be an option for excess fat in arms but with skin that is elastic enough to shrink back to its original form. If not, it can be an added procedure with normal arm-lift.
Surgery Information
| Surgery Time |
1-3 Hours (depending on the type of surgery) |
| Anesthesia Type |
General Anesthesia |
| Hospitalization |
1-2 Days |
| Stitch Removal |
7-10 Days |
| Initial Recovery Time |
1 Week |
How is Arm Lift Procedure done?
Step 1
The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes about 1-2 hours. The procedure is done by making an incision along the inner side of the upper arm.
Step 2
The incision depends on the amount of excess skin and fat to be removed. Incisions are usually made on the inside or back of the arm. It then continues down from the axilla just short of the elbow.
Step 3
The plastic surgeon removes the unwanted fat, tissue and skin and stitches the incision back to give you nice shapely arms. The underlying tissues are tightened and restructured to give a firm and smooth contour.
What is the Recovery after Arm Lift Surgery?
Your arms shall be heavily bandaged after the surgery which shall be removed after about a week to ten days as shall the stitches. You can resume your work after a week to 10 days or so depending on the nature of your job. The precautions include not lifting heavy objects or doing any work which requires vigorous arm movements for at least six weeks.
What Results Can I Expect from Arm Lift Surgery?
The results of arm lift surgery are very gratifying. You will get nice shapely arms in proportion with your body without any unsightly folds of fat or skin hanging below them.
