The arm lift procedure is a surgical operation that removes excess fat and skin from the arm to get rid of mild to severe wrinkles and folds of the skin on the upper part of your arms. It’s a procedure typically done as part of weight-loss surgery, among other reasons such as aging or injury. Some people who have had shoulder surgery also choose to have an arm lift to address any residual problems with that shoulder. It’s also commonly done as a cosmetic procedure to remove these problems simultaneously.
What Is Arm Lift Surgery?
The arm lift, also known as Brachioplasty, is a surgical operation that removes excess fat and skin from the arm to eliminate mild to severe wrinkles and folds of the skin on the upper part of your arms. Patients can choose to have both arms done at once or just one. Depending on your health and age, the procedure can be done using either open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Steps of How the Arm Lift Surgery is Done
The arm lift procedure has several different phases:
Step 1: The surgeon makes two or three incisions, typically about one-quarter to one-third of an inch (0.6 to 0.8 centimeters) wide and about three inches (7.6 centimeters) long, on the inner part of your arm. It’ll resemble a T-shape when it’s done.
Step 2: The surgeon tightens the tissue underneath the arm skin and removes any excess fat surrounding that tissue. It is known as liposuction and is similar to what’s done for other areas of your body.
Step 3: The skin on top can be stretched, rolled, stapled, or otherwise manipulated so that the excess skin and fat are removed from the arm in the correct orientation. It can be done with various materials and techniques, depending upon the severity of the case.
Step 4: The excess skin and fat are then sutured or stapled to ensure that it’s held in place and doesn’t move around excessively over a day.
Reasons Why You Would Be a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift
1. You’re ready to lose weight.
Arm lifts are often performed simultaneously as a more considerable gastric bypass procedure or a tummy tuck for patients needing both procedures. In most cases, an arm lift is recommended for a patient who has lost weight through diet and exercise and has dropped between 15 and 20 percent of their initial body weight.
2. You have loose skin on your arms from significant weight loss.
After losing a significant amount of weight, you may be left with sagging skin on the arms that may be unsightly or embarrassing. You don’t have to endure this problem any longer because there is an effective way to reshape your upper arm area and smooth out the skin by having an arm lift surgery.
3. You have excess fat deposits in your arms.
Extra fat and tissue can build up over time in your upper arms and cause a bulge in the area between the elbow and shoulder joint. The arm lift procedure can help remove excess fat that has built up, which can help reduce the appearance of any unsightly bulges in your arms.
4. You want a more symmetrical appearance.
As you lose weight, the fat in your arms can shift and become uneven. It doesn’t only make your arms look more unattractive, but it can also affect how you feel about yourself. An arm lift surgery can help address this problem by evening out the fat and skin in both arms and giving you an overall more excellent look.
5. You have large bulges in your upper arms.
Your upper arms can develop a prominent bulge between the elbow and shoulder joint due to weight gain or a previously injured arm. It can make it very difficult for you to find clothes that fit correctly in this area because how the excess skin can cause your clothing to stretch out and look sloppy. Having an arm lift surgery can help reduce these bulges, making you feel more confident about your appearance.
6. You have another skin problem in the arm area.
Many patients who suffer from a skin condition such as spider veins often decide to have an arm lift performed simultaneously because it helps address future skin problems. They find that they can enjoy a more positive outlook on life after this procedure because of how much improvement it makes in their appearance.
7. You have a traumatic injury or surgery to the upper arm area.
Arm lift surgery is also an ideal procedure to consider as a cosmetic surgery option if you’ve suffered from other surgeries in the arm area due to an accident or traumatic injury. You can have your upper arms, chest, and neck treated with this procedure simultaneously, which means you can avoid having to deal with multiple surgical procedures when the injury is done.
Side Effects of The Arm Lift Surgery
1. It takes a few weeks to get back to your daily life.
After having an arm lift surgery, you can expect that it will take several weeks to get back to your routine. During this time, you may find it helps to wear a compression garment for the upper arm area. This device will help reduce swelling during the recovery process and help control scarring.
2. It can be excruciating in the days following surgery.
The procedure itself is not painful, but it can be painful in the days following. After the incisions have healed completely, you will experience swelling and bruising in your arm area. It occurs because of scar tissue that forms around the incisions during recovery and swelling from fluid buildup.
3. You can expect to experience some numbness or tightness in the arms.
The numbness and tightness that occurs in the arms and hands following arm lift surgery are widespread, but they can be mild to severe and depend upon how much skin is removed and what type of procedure is used. Your surgeon should address this issue with you during the consultation process and potential treatments that may assist with recovery.
4. There will be bruising and swelling around the incision.
After surgery, you may find that there is bruising and swelling around the incision in the arm area. It occurs because of the incisions and the skin sutures used to close them and secure the skin to hold it in place following surgery. Swelling can also be caused by excess fluid buildup following surgery. The duration of this issue will depend upon how much skin is removed, and any other types of procedures performed simultaneously.
The arm lift surgery is a procedure that is ideal for anyone who is considering cosmetic surgery of the arms and upper chest area to remove excess fat and skin, as well as tighten muscle tissue in this part of the body. This procedure can be performed alone or in combination with other surgeries, including those for the midsection, such as a tummy tuck or surgeries for the neck. It will ensure you have well-defined upper arms that fit well in clothes and look attractive when you wear them.