You’ve dieted and exercised and worked hard to lose weight. You are finally at your desired weight which means most of your body looks great. Your upper arms, however, have that “wing” flap, which you don’t seem to be able to lose no matter how many toning exercises you do. In addition to weight loss, there are other causes of saggy arms, including:
- Loss of elasticity due to aging
- Tanning
- Genetics
Luckily, at Advanced Liposuction Center, we have a solution to flabby arms: a procedure known as brachioplasty, or an “arm lift.”
The Procedure
A brachioplasty is performed under local anesthesia. Our highly-trained cosmetic surgeons will make an incision in the upper arm and remove excess fat. The skin is then pulled downwards to tighten the arm. The incision is stitched and bandaged. Brachioplasty is done in our Cranberry Township office and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
The Results
Patients will need someone to drive them home after the surgery. Post op, you may experience some swelling or bruising. Any pain or discomfort may be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medication. Patients can return to their normal activities as soon as they feel comfortable, usually within one week. Results are evident within a few weeks and patients will continue to see improvements for up to 6 months. The only visible evidence of the surgery is a tiny scar in the armpit area.
Added Benefit
Is there an area of your body that could be improved with some added volume or filling? You can have the fat that is removed from your upper arm harvested (removed in a special way so that the fat cells are not damaged) and use it to fill out an area of your body that is slack, such as breasts, cheeks, forehead, buttocks or neck. The benefit of doing a fat transfer is that you are using your own tissue which basically eliminates the risk of rejection.
Is lifting your arm painful?
Although an arm lift is a surgical operation that is typically done under general anesthesia, some level of discomfort and suffering should be anticipated during the healing process. However, the degree of pain felt can differ significantly between people and is influenced by things including the patient’s pain threshold, the length of the surgery, and the use of pain-relieving drugs and nerve blocks. During the first few days following the operation, most patients experience some soreness, edema, and tightness in the treated area; however, these symptoms usually go away within a week or two. Often, the surgeon will give you advice on how to manage your pain so that you experience as little suffering as possible as you heal.
How can you lessen swelling following an arm lift?
- Keeping your arms lifted over your heart will help to decrease edema following an arm lift.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the injured region.
- Follow your surgeon’s recommendations about compression apparel.
- Steer clear of laborious tasks and heavy lifting.
- Have a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
- Gently massage the affected area to promote blood flow.
- Follow the directions on any prescription painkillers.
- Adhere to your surgeon’s postoperative instructions to the letter.
How long does surgery to elevate the arms take?
Depending on the degree of the surgery and the particular requirements of the patient, an arm lift (brachioplasty) procedure’s length can change. An arm lift treatment can typically be finished in 1 to 3 hours.
It’s vital to remember that arm lift surgeries are frequently carried out under general anesthesia and may necessitate an overnight hospital stay. Although recovery times can differ, most people can anticipate returning to their regular activities in two to four weeks. However before the final effects are fully visible and the swelling totally goes down, it can take a few months.
How Much Weight Loss Will Be Needed Before Considering Brachioplasty?
Majority of the time, there will be no specific weight loss required before you consider Brachioplasty, but here’s what generally recommended:
1. Achieve a Stable Weight: Make sure you are at or at least near your ideal weight, since significant weight fluctuations after the procedure will affect your results.
2. Body Mass Index (BMI): Normally there are so strict rules for BMI, but BMI below 30 is always preferred to make sure there are no surgical risks and outcomes are improved.
3. Excess Skin: The main goal of Brachioplasty is removing the saggy skin, therefore if you have reached your ideal weight and you have excess skin on your skins, you will be a good candidate of Brachioplasty.
Are There Risks and Complications With Brachioplasty? If So, What Are They?
Yes, Brachioplasty can have some risks just like many other surgical procedures, but they are quite rare so be not afraid. The most common can include complications like bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
There can be some others too which may include scarring poor wound healing, and in rare cases nerve damage which can cause numbing or tingling. Swelling and bruising are common, fortunately they disappear as your body starts healing. Lastly, there can be long-term risks that can involve recurrent sagging because of weight fluctuations or aging. Fortunately, if you follow your doctor’s post-op tips, you can greatly avoid most of these complications and stay away from developing unnecessary risks. Also, if you are allergic to certain things, let your doctor know because as mentioned earlier, anesthesia may cause adverse effects if you are allergic to substances in it.
What are the common reasons people opt for brachioplasty?
People commonly opt for brachioplasty to remove excess, sagging skin on the upper arms caused by aging, significant weight loss, or reduced skin elasticity.
Is Brachioplasty Right for You?
The arm lift procedure is beneficial to men and women who are in good overall health and want to improve the appearance of their upper arms. To learn more, contact one of our Pittsburgh area offices for a free consultation by calling: 724-683-7581.