What Is An Arm Lift?
An upper arm lift, or brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arm to tighten loose skin and remove fat that often creates a “bat wing” appearance under the arm. Removing the excess skin caused by weight loss or natural aging can tighten loose skin that extends from the underarm area to the elbow; arm liposuction is sometimes used in combination to achieve the best results.
What Are My Options?
Your options will be dictated by your skin quality and the extent of excess underarm fat and skin.
- Liposuction:Arm liposuction is an option for you if your skin has enough elasticity to shrink around the remaining tissues after your fat is removed. If your skin has poor elasticity, tissue sagging will be even more pronounced after fat is removed. Liposuction may also be used as an adjunct for fat removal in a standard brachioplasty procedure.
- Limited-incision brachioplasty:If excess hanging skin is located close to the armpit, your surgeon may be able to pull up and tuck this excess skin into the armpit. This works best if you have loose, crepe-like skin in the lower inner arm area near the armpit and do not have too much excess fatty tissue.
- Standard brachioplasty:If your excess skin extends like a bat wing from the armpit to the elbow, the only option is complete removal of the arm flab in a standard brachioplasty.
- Extended brachioplasty:An extended arm lift is similar to a standard brachioplasty, except that the incision is extended along the arm down to the body to include loose skin and fatty tissue that might be just under the arm area along the side of the chest wall. Loose skin in that area is common in patients who have had massive weight loss.
FAQs
As long as your weight does not fluctuate, you should expect the results of your upper arm lift to last for many years. Your body will continue to age, including your skin. This may lead to loose skin in the future. If you gain considerable weight after the surgery and then lose the weight, loose skin will return. In either scenario, subsequent arm laxity will be far less significant than before your surgery.
You will likely see the results of your arm lift immediately following the procedure.
Dr. Aboumoussa may use liposuction as an adjunct to the arm lift procedure to remove excess fat.
Upper arm lift scars vary depending on the amount of excess tissue you have and the elasticity of your skin. Even patients who undergo a standard brachioplasty, which results in larger scars, are usually quite satisfied with the results.
Liposuction
Because liposuction incisions are small, the scars are also small. Most liposuction scars fade and are barely perceptible over time.
Limited-incision brachioplasty
Your scars will most likely be limited to the underarm areas.
Standard brachioplasty
Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow.
Extended brachioplasty
The standard brachioplasty incision is extended along the arm down to the body to correct loose skin and fatty tissue under the arm area.
The arm lift incision can extend from the elbow to the armpit and sometimes to the side of the chest.
It will take you approximately 10 to 15 days before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After the surgery, you will receive detailed instructions about your post-surgical care, including information about normal symptoms you will experience and your recovery process.
Dr. Aboumoussa will consult with you to determine the best method of keeping you comfortable during your arm lift surgery. This may include intravenous sedation (assisted local anesthesia) or general anesthesia.
We Can Help You
Dr. Joseph Aboumoussa is an experienced, highly trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose techniques have gained acclaim from his patients all around France, Lebanon and the Middle East.