An arm lift also known as brachioplasty is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the appearance of the upper arms by tightening tissues and removing excess sagging skin. This treatment is especially beneficial for individuals who have undergone significant weight loss and are left with extra skin or bat wings that affect their confidence. Candidates should be at a stable weight, since future weight fluctuations may impact results and should want to address excess skin and fat. The procedure can address loose skin and excess fat. The surgeon may remove excess skin and remove excess fat through liposuction for improved contour. After surgery, patients are typically advised to wear a compression garment to support healing of the remaining skin and minimize swelling. As with any form of plastic surgery, an arm lift offers long-term improvements in shape and tone, helping patients enjoy more balanced proportions.
1. Arm lift surgery isn’t for everyone
The results of body contouring surgery, such as an arm lift, may not be what you imagined or hoped for because it’s difficult to predict how much skin will be removed during surgery based on measurements alone. It’s important to understand that your plastic surgeon cannot guarantee that your arms will look like they did before weight loss or aging-caused stretching, but they can give you an estimate based on their experience with other patients who had similar issues with excess skin around their arms. Sometimes liposuction is used during the procedure to remove fat deposits. You’ll need to be in good overall health before having an arm lift — both physically and mentally. If you have only a little skin laxity and fat, a non-surgical procedure may be better.
2. You’ll need help caring for yourself after your arm lift procedure
You’ll need help with most daily activities for about two weeks after surgery, including household tasks, dressing, and driving. It is important to monitor for severe symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath or chest pain, which may indicate complications that require immediate medical attention. If you have children or pets, you’ll likely need help caring for them during this time. It takes about six months for the swelling to go down completely and up to a year for the excess skin to shrink down into its final appearance. That’s why many people choose to schedule their surgery later in the year, so they have time to heal before wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops in public again during the warmer months.
3. The plastic surgery results won’t be immediate, and there will be some side effects
Like most surgeries, an arm lift takes time to heal. Your body will need time to recover from the surgery and swelling can obscure your final results for the first few months. For the first few weeks, you can expect significant swelling, stiffness, and bruising. You’ll need to wear compression sleeves on the treatment area to help keep swelling down and help the skin “stick” to its new position. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication before going home from the hospital to help with discomfort during recovery. Some complications during or after surgery could affect how well your scars heal and how much bruising there is afterward. It’s important to let your plastic surgeon know if you’ve had any reactions to anesthesia before your procedure so they can take extra precautions during surgery if necessary.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering taking the next steps in getting an arm lift or any other cosmetic surgery, our team can help. To meet with our team of board-certified plastic surgeons including Dr. Papel, Dr. Kontis, and Dr. Brown, contact our Baltimore office by calling or filling out our online form.
Dr. Ira D. Papel is certified in Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Papel earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and his M.D. from Boston University of Medicine. He completed a residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Papel is considered an international expert in rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, and facial aesthetic surgery.
