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Arm Lift Surgery
San Francisco - Oakland - Santa Rosa - Marin
If you have unattractive sagging skin, on the upper arms due to aging, genetics, or weight loss, then an upper arm lift may be the procedure for you.
An arm lift or Brachiaplasty is most commonly performed on an older person who has a large amount of redundant skin and fat extending from the arm pit to the elbow on the underside of the arm. In many cases, an arm lift is performed when liposuction alone is not sufficient improvement. When liposuction and an arm lift are performed at the same, a nice contour of the arm is achieved.
Who is a candidate for an Arm Lift?
Anyone who has heavy arms with loose skin is a likely candidate for an arm lift. In my practice, women who are interested in this procedure have either lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in excess or stretched skin. It may be a woman who has a genetic predisposition for excessive skin and fat in this location.
Prior to Arm Lift Surgery
A personal consultation is the first step for every patient considering an arm lift. During this appointment, Dr. Delgado will ask you to discuss your concerns about your appearance. He will use digital photography and computer imaging to discuss the architecture of your arms. In addition, he will discuss the variables that will effect the procedure, such as age, size of the arms, and the condition of your skin. Dr. Delgado, with the use of computer imaging can give you a realistic impression of the outcome. He will also display the locations of the incisions.
Dr. Delgado provides a precise preoperative booklet that provides pre and post operative instructions, including medications in advance of your surgery. All aspirin and aspirin containing products, including anti-inflammatory products must be stopped two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Dr. Delgado’s preoperative instructions will have a complete list of these medications to avoid. Tylenol may be taken during this time. Also you will be given a list of homeopathic preparations as well as vitamins to take prior to and after surgery. This is done to promote healing and limit bruising.
Anesthesia
Most arm lifts are performed under general anesthesia. This is typically performed in an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.
Operative Procedure
Before anesthesia is given, a surgical marking pen is used to draw a detailed “map” on the underside of the arm. This architectural plan enables the doctor to make the accurate changes from the standing to the lying position.
After anesthesia is given a solution of saltwater and epinephrine (a medical drug that reduces bleeding) is injected into the underarm area. Once ten minutes has transpired, and the drug has taken effect, liposuction is performed in the arm region. An incision is placed in the most inconspicuous location (inner arm towards the back), and dissection of the skin is excised and an elliptical section of skin is excised. The incision is closed in multiple layers with fine sutures placed on the outside of the skin. After surgery, the upper arms are wrapped or placed in an elastic sleeve to reduce swelling.
After Arm Lift Surgery
The first few hours after surgery will be spent in the recovery room. When you are fully alert, you will be able to go home with the assistance of a friend or family member. It is important to sleep with the arms elevated on pillows to reduce swelling in the area. The compression garment is worn for 4-6 weeks following surgery to support the newly contoured skin. The sutures are removed in approximately 10-14 days. Most patients are able to return to work after 10-14 days without any significant difficulty. It is important during your recovery to keep the sutures clean and well covered in a layer of antibody ointment until the sutures are removed.
The incisions will feel tight for the first 24-48 hours. There will be a slight ache during that time. After 48 hours, the patients are more comfortable and pain medications are seldom required.
The arms are bruised and swollen for approximately 10-14 days following surgery. Some patients may experience swelling in their hands as well. If your hands do swell, it is best to keep them elevated to deter any additional swelling.
Risks and Complications
Like all surgery, an arm lift carries the risk of bleeding, infection, and the risk of anesthesia. However, with a highly qualified plastic surgery team, and state-of-the-art surgical facilities, the complications are extremely rare.
The outcome of an arm lift is generally excellent. The only drawback is the scar, which is located on the inside of the arm, but nonetheless, it is a scar that improves over time. It takes approximately two months for the scar to begin to fade and flatten out.
Outcome
The goal of the arm lift is to accomplish a thin, smooth contour of the arm, so that a person can fit into clothing more comfortably and have a better sense of confidence. The procedure is permanent with nice, long-term results.