If you have excess skin and fat on the underside of your upper arms, you could benefit from an arm lift. Otherwise known as a brachioplasty, this type of surgery tightens up loose skin so you end up with arms that look tighter and more defined. If you’re interested in this type of result, here’s what you should consider before you start planning for a brachioplasty.
WHO SHOULD GET A BRACHIOPLASTY?
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your upper arms due to sagging, loose skin and fat, and no amount of exercise or healthy dieting seems to help, you should consider having a brachioplasty. You just need to make sure you’re a good candidate for the procedure first.
A good candidate has realistic expectations. You need to be aware that the surgery will improve the appearance of the underside of your arms. This can improve your confidence about this part of your body, but it won’t necessarily guarantee your overall happiness. In addition, you should be a non smoker who is at a stable, healthy weight, with plenty of laxity left in your skin and no conditions that will hinder your ability to heal after the surgery.
HOW THIS SURGERY WORKS
It’s common for your upper arms to change shape as you get older or gain/lose weight. Even frequent exercise can’t prevent this issue in many cases, which is why some people turn to this surgery. When you have a brachioplasty, your doctor will likely put you under general anesthesia and then make an incision along the back or inner part of your arm. Although the standard brachioplasty requires a long incision from the elbow to the underarm, some doctors now use a method that only involves a small incision in the underarm area.
Once the doctor makes the incision, he or she will then remove the excess skin and tissue that makes the arm look flabby. You may require liposuction to remove pockets of fat in the upper arms so they look leaner and tighter after the procedure. The doctor will then reshape the arms before suturing the incisions. The surgery typically takes one to two hours to complete.
RECOVERY TIME
Once the surgery is complete, the doctor will apply bandages to your arms to cover the incisions. He or she may also place drainage tubes under the skin, along with compression garments over your arms to reduce swelling as you heal.
After about two weeks you should be healed enough to return to your normal routine. During this time, you will see your doctor for one or two post-surgery appointments to check on your recovery progress. Be sure to ask him or her any questions you have about the healing process to ensure you feel comfortable from start to finish. You should be able to see the results of the surgery once you can take off your bandages, especially as the swelling and bruising subsides.
If you’re thinking about having a brachioplasty to improve the look of your upper arms, come to Cosmetic Surgery of New York. Our medical staff is caring and experienced and would be happy to help you feel more confident about your arms. Schedule your complimentary consultation today to learn more.