Brachioplasty
is the medical term for an upper arm lift
procedure. During brachioplasty surgery excess fat and
skin is removed from the upper arm area in order to
create a firmer more youthful looking arm contour. A
brachioplasty can enhance the appearance of arms that,
with age or weight loss, have lost their natural firmness
and shape.
Patients
who have had mastectomy surgery may not be able to have
a brachioplasty because of the increased risks repeated
of armpit infections also people with excess sweat production
may also not be good candidates for brachioplasty cosmetic
surgery.
The
Procedure
Loose
upper arm skin is most often related to weight loss.
If you were ever overweight, you more than likely developed
heavy upper arms. To accommodate the increased volume
of the upper arms, your skin stretched. After weight
loss, the skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags.
The only way to improve this problem is through an arm
lift.
Is
Liposuction an Option?
Not
if your problem is due to loose skin. The only time
lipo is a better choice is when there is a lot of fat
and the skin is tight. When the skin is loose, an arm
lift is usually the best choice.
This
is done under local or general anaesthesia. The excess
skin is marked before anaesthesia. The incision extends
from elbow to the arm pit. Only skin and soft tissue
is excised from the inner side of the arm.
Scars
are the greatest drawback of this operation. They will
extend from the armpit to the elbow, along the inside
of the arm. This operation exchanges one cosmetic problem
(loose skin) for another (scars). In general, those with
very loose saggy skin are most likely to find this exchange
worthwhile. Those with a small amount of looseness will
probably not want the scars.
Recovery
Length
of stay: Outpatient (home same day).
Before
Surgery Avoid taking aspirin, advil, motrin,
or other aspirin-containing products for two weeks If
you are a smoker, stop smoking to aid in healing.
Discomfort:
Mild to moderate. Anticipate 2-5 days of prescription
pain medication.
Final
result: Will be seen after the scars have matured,
which will be about six months. Improves over 14 days.
Bruising:
Is rare
Bandages:
Will be removed in 1-7 days.
Stitches:
Will be absorbable.
Back
to work: 3-7 days.
Exercise:
May be resumed in 2 weeks.
Final
result: Will be seen after the scars have matured,
which will be about six months.
