If the “bat wing” appearance of your upper arms bothers you, then you should consider coming in to learn more about the arm lift procedure. An arm lift, also referred to as a brachioplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is used to remove fat and tighten excess loose skin on your upper arms. Thousands of people undergo arm lifts every year, making it one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the world.

Perfect Candidates for Brachioplasty

Although it is possible to improve aspects of the appearance of your upper arms with exercise, redundant skin is something that cannot be tackled this way; only the brachioplasty can correct it. The following are some of the most common reasons to consider coming in for an arm lift:

  • You have been left with redundant skin on your upper arms after losing weight.
  • You have significant laxity on your upper arms due to aging.
  • You are healthy and have no underlying medical conditions that could interfere with healing and increase the risks associated with the surgery.
  • You are committed to a healthy lifestyle and diet.

How Is the Arm Lift Procedure Performed?

Your surgeon will begin by making markings on your arms, elbows, and armpits. These markings will be used to guide the surgeon in creation of incisions. The direction, length, and location of the incision lines are dictated by the type of arm lift you need to undergo.

Based on the recommendation of the surgeon, you will be given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Once the anesthetic goes into effect, the surgeon will make incisions and then remove the excess fat and skin. Your surgeon may use liposuction to remove excess fat from the upper arms.

The incisions will then be closed carefully using sutures. If the sutures used are absorbable, they will be gradually absorbed by your body as you heal and will not need to be removed. The surgeon will then dress the operated site and give you a compression garment. He will also place drains to remove the excess fluid.

Preparing for the Healing Process

To prepare for your healing period, make sure you have a lot of pillows in your bed – elevating the arms with pillows can help reduce the swelling and alleviate the discomfort during recovery. Stock your fridge with a lot of fruits, vegetables, and proteins. It is best to avoid salt during recovery, as it can increase the swelling. As a rule of thumb, low-sodium high-protein diets are what you should stick to for the first couple of weeks.

Schedule some time off of work in advance, especially if your job involves a lot of physical labor. Tend to all the important chores before the surgery so that you do not have to deal with them once you get back home. Do not engage in heavy lifting for the first few weeks of the healing process. You can resume all normal activities once the incisions have healed and the swelling goes down, revealing well-contoured and fit-looking upper arms.

Have You Set Up Your Consultation?

Skilled board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Golger will be available to answer your brachioplasty questions and discuss the procedure in further detail during a consultation. Arrange your consultation – get in contact with our office today.