Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)
Arm lift surgery, or “brachioplasty,” can enhance the contour of your arms by removing excess skin and fatty tissue. Like all plastic surgery after weight loss, an arm lift was designed to improve the post-bariatric physique. The surgery can also be ideal for re-sculpting arms that have accumulated droopy excess skin and stubborn fat as a result of aging.
Our Sacramento plastic surgeon can use advanced brachoplasty techniques to help you achieve the slim, athletic effect you crave. To learn more about arm lift surgery, continue reading or reach out to Chrysalis Cosmetics.
Quick Facts About Brachioplasty Procedures
- Sedation: General anesthesia
- Inpatient/Outpatient: Outpatient
- Potential Benefits: Significant reduction of hanging skin and excess fat in the arms; improved post-bariatric contours
- Recovery: Patients can usually return to work in two to three weeks; more intensive exercise can typically be resumed within six weeks1
- Cost: $8,800 to $12,000
- Arm Lift Candidates
- Complementary Procedures to Arm Lift Surgery
- Arm Lift Procedure
- Arm Lift Recovery
- Arm Lift Results
- Arm Lift Risks
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Arm Lift?
If you are a healthy, mentally stable adult with excess skin and/or fat along the arm area as a result of aging or weight loss, you are likely an excellent candidate for arm lift surgery. With this in mind, brachioplasty is generally not recommended for individuals who are overweight or intend to lose more weight; like any post-bariatric plastic surgery or body contouring procedure, losing additional weight can negate the results of the surgery.
**Disclaimer: If you are a smoker, you MUST DISCONTINUE smoking a minimum of 4 weeks BEFORE & AFTER SURGERY. A nicotine test will be administered.**
Complementary Procedures to Arm Lift Surgery
In many cases, Dr. Charles Perry can combine arm lift surgery with additional procedures for a more comprehensive enhancement. For instance, liposuction techniques are often utilized during arm lift surgery to refine the contours of the arm, and provide for additional skin tightening effects. Depending on your unique goals, your arm lift may also be complemented by a tummy tuck or body lift, or even a facial contouring or breast enhancement option like brow lift or breast lift surgery.
How Is Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
Dr. Charles Perry can utilize a variety of strategies to tailor each arm lift procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy and goals. The specific surgical approach is determined by the amount and location of excess skin and fat in the arms.
Traditional (Full) Arm Lift
To perform this technique, Dr. Perry makes an incision along the underside of the arm, extending from the elbow to the armpit. He can then excise extra skin and use liposuction to extract fatty tissue from the area. Once an appropriate amount of fat and skin has been removed, the skin is drawn together to create a smooth, taut appearance, and sutures are used to close the incision.
Mini Arm Lift
Typically best suited for individuals who have mild to moderate sagging, this less invasive technique involves a smaller incision hidden within the natural crease of the underarm. While the mini arm lift can offer a shorter recovery time and minimal scarring, it may not be ideal for those with more extensive skin laxity.2
Extended Arm Lift
For patients with significant excess skin that continues past the upper arm and into the lower arm or chest area, an extended arm lift may be ideal. This approach involves a longer incision that extends beyond the traditional arm lift boundaries to address more widespread tissue laxity. Because the incision reaches further than the upper arm, this technique is typically reserved for select cases and requires careful evaluation by Dr. Perry.
What Does Recovery from Arm Lift Surgery Involve?
When recovering from brachioplasty, patients should take approximately two to three weeks off from work to get proper rest; meanwhile, strenuous exercise should be avoided for about six weeks. You will also be instructed to elevate your arms while resting or sleeping to minimize swelling and discomfort.
Dr. Perry will place small drains at the incision sites to prevent fluid buildup. Additionally, you will be given a supportive garment to support healing tissues, which you should wear at all times for two weeks.
To encourage a positive surgical experience and smooth recovery, Dr. Perry has compiled a comprehensive list of pre- and post-surgical instructions for arm lift surgery. Review the instructions before surgery, and print them out so that you can bring them with you on your surgery day.
Arm Lift Instructions (printer-friendly)
Our Patient Photos*
How Long Do Arm Lift Surgery Results Last?
While the results of arm lift surgery can be long-lasting, they are not necessarily permanent. Certain factors — such as significant weight fluctuations, natural aging, and pregnancy — can gradually diminish or even reverse the improvements achieved through surgery. In some cases, patients may choose to undergo a revisional arm lift to maintain or enhance their initial results. This is more common for individuals who have experienced substantial weight changes after their original procedure or who desire further refinement a few years down the line.
With a healthy lifestyle (i.e. a stable weight and regular exercise), many patients enjoy their arm lift results for years to come. During your consultation, Dr. Perry can discuss what you can realistically expect in terms of longevity and whether any future touch-ups might be needed.
What Are the Risks of Arm Lift Surgery?
The following is a partial list of complications that can occur as a result of arm lift surgery. While these complications are rare when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it is best for patients to become educated before they undergo the surgery.
General surgical risks
These include bleeding, infection, and reactions to surgical anesthesia or other surgical materials. Postoperative bleeding may require emergency treatment. Infection is unusual after arm lift surgery, but would require antibiotics or additional surgery to treat.
Changes in skin sensation
Partial or complete loss of skin sensation in the arm, forearm or hand area may occur. Though they usually resolve on their own, it’s possible for numbness to be permanent.
Irregular skin contour
Wrinkling of the skin, depressions, and other irregularities in the arm’s surface may emerge after surgery.
Scarring
While abnormal scarring is uncommon, it is a possibility. In some cases, scars are a different color than surrounding skin. Abnormal scarring may be treated with additional surgery.
Asymmetry
The human body is not symmetrical, and arm surgery may lead to marked asymmetry related to skin tone, uneven healing, bone prominence, fatty deposits, muscle tone, and other factors.
Delayed healing and skin loss
These are risks inherent in body lift and arm lift surgery. Smokers are at a much greater risk for wound disruption, delayed healing, and skin loss, though they can happen to anyone. This complication may lead to a need for frequent dressing changes or further surgery.
Injuries to underlying tissue of the arm
During an arm lift, the skin is tightened through superficially located stitches. However, injury to the underlying tissues — including veins, nerves, and arteries to the hand and arm — is possible, and would require hospitalization and additional treatment.
Seroma (fluid accumulation)
This complication is rare, but would require the drainage of the fluid through additional procedures.
Chronic pain
It’s rare, but possible, that nerves can become trapped in the scar tissue created by arm surgery, producing chronic pain.
Recurrence of loose skin
As the skin naturally ages and loses its elasticity, loose skin can reappear. Because of this natural slackening, revisional arm lift procedures are common one to two years after the original surgery.
Suture-related problems
In some cases, deep sutures will be used to complete the arm lift surgery and some patients notice them after surgery. Sutures may become visible, poke through the skin, or produce irritation that necessitates their removal.
For more information about brachioplasty, schedule your consultation with Dr. Charles Perry today.
Medical References*
1 RealSelf
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
*Individual Results May Vary
