Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
The skin and tissue under the arms starts to sag with aging or with weight loss. If there is quite a bit of fatty tissue as well sometimes liposuction can help with the contour but if there is excess skin an arm lift will need to be performed.
Ideal Candidates
Candidates for arm lift surgery are generally patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have loose, hanging skin under their arms. Because there is a visible scar on the inner arm the extra skin must be a big enough concern to warrant the incision that needs to be made to remove the skin.
How It’s Done
Extra skin is removed through an incision placed along the inner arm. The incision may extend from the elbow to the axilla to allow maximum skin removal as well as giving access to the redundant skin in the middle of the arm.
Results and Recovery
Thinner arms with no loose or hanging skin are achieved with arm lift surgery. You will wear a compressive garment around the arms for the first week and keeping the arms above the level of your heart will help reduce swelling. Most patients return to work in about one week but may still be restricted somewhat as far as lifting heavy objects.
