Arm lift
Cosmetic Body Surgery
An arm lift (or brachioplasty) is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the shape and tightness of the arms and is usually performed for the following reasons:
*To improve the body image of women who, for personal reasons, feel that the skin on their arms is sagging, either due to age or weight changes.
*To correct a reduction in the volume of the arms after significant weight loss.
*To restore confidence in women with sagging arms to wear certain garments such as bikinis or tank tops.
Medical information
An arm lift can improve your appearance and self-esteem. However, before you make any choices, you should assess your expectations carefully and discuss them with us.
An arm lift is usually performed to lift sagging tissue in the back of the arms between the elbow and the armpit (colloquially called “bat wings”) to sculpt and improve body contours.
In the initial consultation, Dr Mir will assess your state of health, determine the extent of “sagging” and/or excess of skin and fat in your arms. Don’t forget to mention if you have any allergies or illnesses, if you are a smoker, or if you are taking any medications or vitamins.
Explain your expectations. We will be completely clear about the alternatives and the advantages, risks and limitations of the possible treatments.
You will be given full instructions on how to prepare for surgery, the fasting time required prior to surgery, and medications to avoid, as well as guidelines for taking antibiotics and other medications that are important for an optimal outcome.
We will explain the type of anaesthesia used (general anaesthesia), the clinic where surgery is performed, and the costs involved.
On the day of the operation, you will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. You should also have someone to help you in everyday tasks for the first few days, until you recover and are able to manage on your own
| The operation will be performed in the clinic’s operating theatre where the entire team of doctors and nurses will ensure that you receive excellent care before, during and after the procedure.
Patients are generally hospitalised for one day. An arm lift is performed under general anaesthesia to ensure you do not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Remember that optimum results are our overriding priority, so we always choose the anaesthesia that helps us work best and safest. The method used to perform the skin traction on your arm will depend on your anatomy, the amount of excess skin and our recommendations. The incision can be made either only on the mid back side of the arm or it may also be necessary to extend it to the axillary fold. Bear in mind that the incisions will be proportional to the amount of excess skin, and that removing it will leave scars. The decision of where to perform the incision is always aimed at making the scars as inconspicuous as possible. If the scars need to be long and on show, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of the improvement in body contour against the scars showing. We will guide you and explain the situation to help you assess the improvement objectively. An incision is made in order to perform liposuction to facilitate skin traction and remove the excess skin. The incisions are then sutured with precision. Drainage tubes are left in place for a few days after surgery. It is important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique so that you understand the implications of the procedure we recommend for you. This surgery usually takes two to three hours. The wound is closed with an absorbable suture and then a tubular arm bandage is placed on the arms (like an orthopaedic stocking). After surgery, the arms already look better and the scars fade over time. |
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| It is normal to feel tired and uncomfortable for a few days after the operation. Most of this discomfort can be reduced with medication. You will need to rest for a day or two, without putting any pressure on the sutures, and with your arms slightly elevated (on pillows). You will be able to resume normal everyday life without exertion after a week. After two to three days, we will remove the dressings and treat the wounds. Unusual skin sensations and most of the swelling will subside in about three weeks. The sutures will be removed in about two weeks, but it will take a few more weeks for the arm to return to normal. You will be able to return to work after about two weeks depending on the level of exertion required. Follow our advice on when to start exercising and return to normal activity. Your arms will probably be more sensitive to direct stimulation after two to three weeks, so you should avoid physical contact. After that, they will gradually return to normal. The scars will be hard and pink for at least six weeks (however, this hardening may last for a few months), after which, they will fade until they are barely noticeable. |
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An arm lift is a safe procedure. However, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this technique.
As with any surgical procedure, bleeding after the operation can cause swelling and discomfort. This is alleviated with drainage tubes which are kept in place for one to three days to drain the blood from the wound. However, there is a small risk of bruising which may require drainage of the accumulated blood.
A small percentage of patients may develop an infection. This can occur at any time, but is most common in the first week after surgery.
There is also a risk of wound dehiscence (or separation) if excessive traction is applied, so extreme care must be taken with body movements for the first two weeks.
Some patients report areas of decreased skin sensitivity near the incisions. These symptoms usually disappear over time, but may be permanent in some patients.
Sometimes incision scars do not heal as nicely as we would like them to. This depends on personal factors and the location of the scars. We will explain in detail where the scars are located and the expected quality of the scars.
The vast majority patients who undergo an arm lift do not suffer from the complications described, however, it is important that they are aware of them. We always explain these in detail in the pre-operative consultation to ensure patients know the benefits and risks of this procedure, however, generally patients are highly satisfied with the results.
Patients who choose this treatment improve not only their appearance, but more importantly, their self-esteem as they feel more confident with their new self.
The decision to have an arm lift is a highly personal one, and there may even be people around you who don’t understand your choice. The important thing is how you feel with a better figure. If it meets your goals and expectations, the surgery can be considered a success. Dr Mir will be delighted to resolve any questions and provide you with all the information you need.
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