Arm Lift
(Brachioplasty)

Overview

The upper arms can develop hanging skin, commonly called “bat wings,” from significant weight loss and natural aging. An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is one of the 5 most popular after weight loss surgeries, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. At Contour Plastic Surgery & MedSpa in Downers Grove, IL, Dr. Paresi helps patients improve the contour of their upper arms by performing arm lifts that first remove excess skin, then tighten the underlying muscle and tissues for smooth, slim arms. To learn more about arm lift surgery and how it can improve your confidence, patients in the Chicago area can schedule a consultation with Dr. Paresi at his office in Downers Grove, IL.

Limited Incision Brachioplasties

In some cases, patients are a candidate for a limited incision brachioplasty.  This involves an incision that is shorter in length than the standard armpit to elbow brachioplasty incision.  The incision can be located just in the armpit area or half the distance from the armpit to the elbow.  To be a candidate for this shorter incision, patients must only have skin excess only on the proximal aspect of the arm. 

Use of Liposuction in Brachioplasties

Most patients that are interested in a brachioplasty have some residual fat around the arms. In these cases, the arms are treated with circumferential liposuction before the skin excision. This allows for better arm contour and more skin removal due to the decrease in arm circumference. The also allows for better arm definition and visibility of the shoulders.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Results

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Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in 66 year-old after weight loss
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Back view of skin excess of arm in 66 year-old after weight loss
Back view after arm lift (brachioplasty)
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Surgical Technique

During arm lift surgery, an incision is made along the inner arm, from the armpit down towards the elbow. Once this incision has been made, liposuction may be used to remove excess fat, and any loose skin will be trimmed away. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a draining tube may be placed to help control bleeding. In patients with excessive drooping, where there is looseness within the internal tissue structures, a tightening technique will be used internally. These surgical efforts will result in a smaller circumference of the upper arm.
Arm Lift Brachioplasty

After Surgery

Brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and typically takes around 2 hours to complete. It is considered an outpatient procedure. If this surgery is combined with another body contouring procedure, then the patient may be required to stay overnight in the hospital. Following surgery, the arm should be kept elevated to help control swelling and promote circulation. Patients will experience a slow return of normal function. Arm and hand strength, specifically, will be weak for the first several weeks as the internal tissues heal.

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) FAQs

Liposuction or Lift?
Patients that have excess fat inside their arms may be candidates for liposuction, but arm lift patients typically do not have excess fat as their primary problem. These individuals have excessive sagging and loose, hanging skin. The only way to correct this problem is through a brachioplasty procedure. Patients who have relatively good skin tone but also have excess fat in the arms can sometimes achieve their desired results with an exercise and diet regime that incorporates the use of weights.

It’s important that patients understand scarring is a part of this procedure. It is recommended that patients avoid sun exposure during the first year to protect the incisions from any additional discoloration. Most patients believe the scars are a small trade-off for a new, shapelier arm. We will discuss scar care to help assist in the healing process.

It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. Some common techniques often combined during what is known as an “upper body lift” include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast surgery (breast lift). During your consultation, each surgery will be discussed and recommendations will be made on whether these procedures should be done at the same time.

An arm lift is performed to remove hanging skin and fat. The only way to build muscle is through strength training. Following surgery, once the arms are fully healed, patients can resume exercise and weight training. This is a great way to add shape to the arms by toning and strengthening them.

Still have a question?

At Contour Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you feel confident in your choices. Contact us today to schedule your consultation — your journey to looking and feeling your best starts here!

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