What is an upper arm lift?
Weight fluctuations and the process of aging can both cause skin to slowly lose its elasticity. As a result, many people find themselves with loose, sagging skin on the upper arms, particularly those people who have undergone successful weight loss. An upper arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, can restore a shapely appearance to the arms by removing and tightening excess skin. This will also provide a more youthful appearance.
How is it done?
Upper arm lifts are performed under an anesthetic and usually take around two hours. Your plastic surgeon may recommend that liposuction also be used in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess upper arm fat. At The Plastic Surgery Center, we often combine liposuction with incisions placed along the inside of the underarm or within the armpit to minimize scarring. Following the surgery, dressings will be used, and temporary tubes may be put in to drain excess fluid from the area. Elastic bandages are then applied to support the area.
Who is a good candidate for an upper arm lift?
Upper arm lifts can be performed on normal weight patients who need a small amount of tightening. But most upper arm lifts are for those with loose, sagging skin on the upper arms, particularly those people who have undergone massive weight loss. Although fat can be removed with excess skin, an upper arm lift is not primarily for the purpose of addressing fat deposits.
How long is the recovery from an upper arm lift?
You will be advised that it is best for recovery if the arms are elevated for a few days following surgery. Then, most patients can return to work or regular activity two weeks after surgery, and experience a slower return of normal function of the arms and hands over the next few weeks. It is advised to wait four to six weeks to resume strenuous work or exercise.
Are the results of an upper arm lift permanent?
Provided you keep your weight fairly stable, the results of an arm lift should be permanent. However, while most swelling should be gone within the first four to six weeks following surgery, as is similar to other cosmetic procedures, final results may take longer—in this case, up to three to six months.
How can I maximize the results of an upper arm lift?
Often an upper arm lift is combined with liposuction to address the fatty deposits in addition to the loose skin. It is also often combined with other body sculpting procedures for those patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.
Consultation
We offer
complimentary upper arm lift consultations to our New Jersey and Manhattan patients at any of our locations. At the Plastic Surgery Center you will have the opportunity to speak with, and be evaluated by, one of our upper arm lift experts to determine if you are a candidate. After consultation, your upper arm lift procedure will be tailored specifically to suit your needs and therefore have the best chance of achieving your desired aesthetic expectations.
At the Plastic Surgery Center we offer patients the opportunity to have their upper arm lift procedure conveniently performed at our fully certified outpatient surgical facility staffed with a board-certified anesthesiologist, registered nurses, and certified surgical technicians.
