Arm Lift

Arm lift consultation and planning

During the consultation appointment, your plastic surgeon will discuss your expectations regarding the surgery and listen to why you wish to undergo this procedure.  He or she will ask you about your medical history and perform an exam to determine if brachioplasty is right for you. Your surgeon will also explain the risks and benefits of this cosmetic procedure. This is also the time in which you should ask your questions regarding the procedure.

Before undergoing any elective surgery you will be asked to stop smoking and stop taking anti-inflammatory medication and aspirin.  Your surgeon may have other instructions, and it will be imperative to follow those guidelines. Our surgeons at Houston Dermatology and Plastic Surgery are committed to giving you the best possible result, and this may require you to avoid certain activities around the time of your procedure.

Arm lift procedure

Arm lift procedure is performed in our surgery center under general anesthesia and usually takes 2 to 3 hours. The procedure is straight forward.  An incision is made in the axilla (armpit), extending a variable distance down the inner upper arm.  In patients with a small amount of excess skin, sometimes the incision can be hidden completely in the armpit.  In patients that have large amounts of excess skin and tissue, the incision may extend to the elbow.  Once the skin and underlying tissue have been removed, the incision is closed using absorbable sutures.  The incision will be located on the inner portion of the upper arm, allowing for a well-hidden final scar.

If the excess tissue extends onto the side of the chest, as often occurs after weight loss, the incision can be extended into this area to address the skin there as well.  If you have an excess of both skin and fat in your upper arms, you may be a candidate for a combination of arm lift with liposuction.  Arm lifts can also safely be performed at the same time as other body contouring procedures, so be sure to mention to your surgeon any other areas you would like to address.  Each case is unique and must be evaluated in order to determine which procedure or combination of procedures would best achieve your desired results.

Arm lift recovery

Following your surgery, you will have bandages or a surgical garment covering your arms. These provide gentle compression to aid in healing and prevent fluid accumulation. Depending on your individual case, your surgeon may insert a small drainage tube to remove excess fluid and blood. This will be removed once the amount of fluid draining has fallen to a level that your body is able to absorb on its own. The staff will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to care for your incision sites and drains as well as other post-operative care. It is important to comply with all instructions in order to achieve the best results. You will have a close follow up with your surgeon. Patients are instructed to avoid any strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks. Most patients are able to return to work within two weeks of their surgery with minimal limitations. Speak with your surgeon to determine when you will be ready to return to normal activities.