Arm Lift

An arm lift is the common term for a brachioplasty; a plastic surgery that reshapes the upper portion of the arm and helps create a more defined, toned upper arm. The procedure treats the under portion of the upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow.

Strength training, such as weight lifting, can improve the muscle tone of your arm but it cannot address the elasticity of the skin, weakened tissue or localized fat deposits. Ageing can affect the appearance of your arms as can losing a significant amount of weight either through bariatric surgery or otherwise. A brachioplasty procedure can tighten the supportive tissue that shapes the upper arm, reduces any skin that sags downward and remove deposits of fat.

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Best Candidates for the procedure

Good brachioplasty candidates:

  • Have excess skin located on the upper arm
  • Have previously lost a significant amount of weight but are now at a stable weight
  • Have realistic expectation for their outcome
  • Do not have a life-threatening condition or illnesses that can impair healing
  • Are Non-Smokers

Initial Consultation

Dr. Doezie, attended by his assistant, will meet with you and discuss the procedure in detail and answer any questions you may have about your body and the procedure. He will examine your arms, and an estimated cosmetic quote will be prepared for you to review at the end of your consultation.

The Procedure

Arm lift procedures are usually performed by a cosmetic surgeon on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, an incision is made on the inside or back of the arm. The shape, generally a long line, depends on the degree of correction needed. Sometimes fat is removed using liposuction techniques. Patients with minimal fat deposits and very little excess sagging skin can be treated with only liposuction. Excess skin is then trimmed and removed. The remaining skin is repositioned over the new contour of your arm and sewn into place.

Recovery

Immediately after your surgery, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incision site, and your arms may be wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling. Often a drainage tube is placed under the skill to remove excess fluid or blood that may collect. It is important that the site of the incision is not subjected to excessive force, swelling, scraping, or motion during the time of healing.

Your arms will appear smoother and more defined almost immediately following surgery, although initial results will be somewhat obscured by swelling and bruising. You may find that elevating your arms can help minimize swelling and reduce discomfort. Any pain and discomfort you experience can be treated with pain medication that Dr. Doezie will prescribe for you. A return to light activity is possible as soon as you feel ready, usually within a few days of surgery. Return to normal activity generally takes about three weeks.

If you are able to maintain a stable weight and general fitness level, the results of arm lift surgery will be long-lasting. It is natural to lose some firmness as your body continues to age, but most of your improvement will be relatively permanent.

Risks

An arm lift will produce a brachioplasty scar that may run the full length of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow. The length of the incision and its pattern will depend on the amount and location of excess skin that is removed, as well as the best judgment of Dr. Doezie.

Choosing to have arm lift surgery is an extremely personal decision. Many of Dr. Doezie’s patients believe that the benefits of removing sagging arm tissue greatly outweigh the potential complication of a large prominent arm scar. You will have to make this decision for yourself.

Risks associated with arm lift surgery include:

  • Risks associated with anesthesia
  • Hematoma (bleeding), fluid accumulation, and poor wound healing
  • Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
  • Asymmetry, major wound separation, damage to tissue structure

Dr. Doezie will go over these and other risks prior to your surgery. As an Arm Lift candidate, it is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Costs

Arm Lift costs can vary based on a number of different factors. Dr. Doezie will determine your exact quote at the time of your consultation.

Visit our photo gallery to see before and after pictures of Dr. Doezie’s arm lift patients.

Learn more about arm lift surgery in Orange County and schedule my appointment with Dr. Doezie at Mission Plastic Surgery.