Arm lift
(Brachioplasty)
What’s it address: Sagging skin and excess fullness of the upper arms.
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Technique: Will be individualized for you.
Anesthesia: Usually general anesthesia. Can be conscious sedation in some cases.
Can be combined with other procedures
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to address sagging skin and excess fat in the upper arms. Age, significant weight loss, and loss of skin elasticity can lead to loose, hanging skin of the upper arm. This can be embarrassing and cause patients to limit their clothing choices. Unfortunately, like other areas of excess skin, exercises usually won’t improve this.
Arm lift Consultation:
Dr. McEwan will sit down with you and discuss your aesthetic goals at length, assess your overall health, and help you understand the potential outcomes of a brachioplasty. There are different types of brachioplasty and together we will decide which one is right for you. There are multiple possible scar locations, but there is no ideal place on the arm to conceal the scar. Even short scar techniques can lead to visible scars. Arm lift surgery is almost always an exchange of a visible scar for an improved arm contour.
The Arm lift Procedure:
Armlift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes 2-to-3 hours. Patients are able to return home the same day.
Recovery:
Swelling and bruising are common after an arm lift. We will fit you with a compression garment or compressive wraps to help reduce swelling and provide external support. Normal movement and arm use is encouraged after surgery within reason. Heavy lifting and repetitive arm movements should be avoided until about a month after surgery.
Postoperative Care:
Usually there is not a lot of medical care you have to provide. The sutures dissolve on their own. Wearing compression garments or wraps is very important. They should be worn constantly for at least a week after surgery and then weaned from there. Dr. McEwan will be with you every step of the way and guide you through this process.
Results:
Like a lot of other cosmetic procedures, it takes a while for the swelling to resolve and for you to see your final result. Most of the swelling is gone by 4-6 weeks after surgery, but it can take longer. Most people are able to evaluate their final result at about 3 months except for the quality of the scar. Scar maturation takes a long time and Dr. McEwan always advises waiting a full year before critically evaluating the scar.
Patients are usually very happy with their final result. Most people are happy to trade a slimmer, more toned arm for a potentially visible scar.