Arm Lift Surgery

DAY OF SURGERY

Arm Lift surgery is done under general anesthesia. At Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center, anesthesia is administered only by a physician who is board-certified in anesthesia. (See credentials for Randy Gaynor, MD on this website.) The anesthesiologist calls the patient the evening before surgery to review his/her medical history, confirm last minute instructions and answer any questions he/she may have regarding the anesthesia.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Arm Lift surgery is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center or a hospital. Sometimes the patient is kept as a 23-hour stay overnight to ensure that his/her first post-operative night is as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Delgado offers Arm Lift surgery at Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center, an accredited outpatient surgery center. Marin Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dr. Delgado’s private surgery suite, is located in his Marin County office on the Sutter Marin County Community Hospital campus. This allows Dr. Delgado to offer his patients private, concierge medical care, while providing the extra measure of safety and reassurance afforded by the surgery center’s contiguous location to the hospital.

Before anesthesia is given, a surgical marking pen is used to draw a detailed map on the undersides of the arms. This architectural drawing enables the doctor to make appropriate adjustments to accommodate the changes that occur in the arms as the body moves from a lying to a sitting position. The length of the incision is dependent on the amount of skin that needs to be excised. Incisions usually stop at the elbow, but they can extend from the armpit downward along the upper torso, if necessary.

After general anesthesia is given, a solution of saltwater, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a medication that restricts bleeding) is injected into the underarm area. Once this has taken effect, liposuction is performed in the underarm area. An incision is placed in the most inconspicuous location of the inner arm. A long section of skin is excised. The incision is closed in multiple layers to achieve a tight, even closure. After surgery, an elastic sleeve compression garment is put on the arms to control swelling.

After Arm Lift Surgery