Dallas Plastic Surgery

Brachiaplasty (Arm Lift)

Gravity, weight loss, and the aging process can leave the skin baggy and loose, making patients feel self-conscious about their upper arms, especially. While weight lifting can tone the arm muscles and improve the look of the area, it does not always improve the look of skin on the arm. If you are tired of wearing long-sleeved shirts year round, brachiaplasty, or an arm lift, is a procedure you might want to consider.

Brachioplasty removes the excess tissue around the upper arm. This reduces the size of the upper arm and gives the area a smooth, toned look. The exact approach your surgeon will take will depend on how much excess skin you have and how strong your arm’s supporting tissues are. Generally, however, the surgery involves making incisions along the inner arm. Once these incisions are made, excess skin is removed. If necessary, deeper tissues that have become loosened are addressed during the procedure as well. Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon closes the incision, trying to create the smallest and most inconspicuous scar possible.

Depending on the amount of fat and tissue that needs to be corrected, an arm lift can generally be completed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or even with local anesthesia and sedation. In most cases, patients take two weeks to recover from brachiaplasty. During the healing process, patients need to careful to not lift anything heavy and may need to elevate the arm to reduce pain and swelling. Usually, patients will have the surgical area covered with a special banadage that offers elastic support for the area. Within six months, the effects of the surgery will be apparent.

Like all surgeries, brachiaplasty has its risks. The biggest risk of the procedure are visible scars. Surgeons generally take care to make the smallest incisions necessary and to disguise scarring. A skilled surgeon can hide scars quite effectively. Good post-procedure care can also minimize scarring. In addition to scarring, patients risk infection, swelling, bruising, and bleeding at the surgical site. In rare cases, brachiaplasty can lead to nerve injury, which can result in a numbness in the arm. If you have had surgery on your axilla lymph nodes or a mastectomy you may not be an ideal candidate for brachiaplasty. Patients who have had sweat gland infections may also experience added risks. If you are considering an arm lift, always discuss your risks and your possible outcomes with a qualified surgeon. Your surgeon can help you understand your risks and can help you minimize complications.