An Arm lift, or Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reduces excess sagging skin that droops downward, tightens and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm and reduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region Fluctuations in weight, growing older and heredity can cause your upper arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance. This is a condition that cannot be corrected through exercise. Arm lift surgery may be right for you if the underside of your upper arms are sagging or appear loose and full due to excess skin and fat.
What is Arm Lift ?
An Arm lift, or Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reduces excess sagging skin that droops downward, tightens and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm and reduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region Fluctuations in weight, growing older and heredity can cause your upper arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance. This is a condition that cannot be corrected through exercise. Arm lift surgery may be right for you if the underside of your upper arms are sagging or appear loose and full due to excess skin and fat.
Arm Lift Process
Before going to the operation your surgeon will start Drawing lines on your arms showing where the fat will be extracting from and discuss the goals of your surgery. Like all the surgeries, the procedure begins with the Anesthesia , your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you wether is an intravenous sedation or general anesthesia depending on your case. Depending on your case, Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm, depending on the surgeon’s preference, and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow. Excess fat may be directly excised or treated with liposuction. The skin is then draped back over the newly repositioned contours.
Then we proceed to Closing the incisions either with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks following your arm lift. Instructions for better Arm Lift Surgery The following instructions are general information to be followed before and after an Arm Lift procedure: Pre-Operation: ·Do not smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products (snuff, chewing tobacco, Nicorette gum, nicotine inhaler, or nicotine skin patches (Nicoderm)) for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery ·Do not have any alcoholic drinks (including beer and wine) for one week before surgery and two days after your surgery date. Also, do not have any alcoholic beverages as long as you are taking prescription medications. ·Avoid foods, drinks and herbal supplements than can increase risk of bleeding and bruising. ·Avoid aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Motrin, blood thinners, vitamin E, omega-3, and fish oil. Post-Operation: ·The medication or sedation given to you will be acting in your body for the next 24 hours, because of this you may be sleepy, dizzy, and/or lightheaded. These feelings will wear off slowly. ·Therefore you should not: stay alone, drive a car, operate machinery, power tools, drink alcohol including beer, make important decisions or sign legal documents. ·Eat a light diet following surgery. Avoid spicy, greasy, fried or gaseous foods. If you experience any nausea, fluids that are clear and high in sugar are recommended (Gatorade, soda, Kool-aid, nonacid juices) ·Take pain medication and muscle relaxer 2-4 hours apart. ·Be sure to get plenty of rest to allow your body to recuperate faster. However, it is important that you get up and walk around in your house at least every 2 hours during the day to prevent developing a blood clot. ·It is best to rest in an upright position for comfort and to decrease swelling. You can either rest in a recliner or in bed with 2-3 pillows behind your back and pillows under your arms. ·Use your elbows as needed, but do not put extra stress on your shoulders. Keep a fluffy towel folded and tucked under your armpit. ·Do not lift anything greater than 10 pounds (a gallon of milk) for 2 weeks. ·Avoid raising your arms over shoulder level, or pushing or pulling anything for the first 2 weeks. (You may do your hair). ·Avoid any aerobic type of activity or strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks. ·You can resume sexual activity at least 2 weeks after surgery, or when it is no longer painful. ·You may drive after 1 week if you are not taking narcotic pain medicine. ·You can return to work within a week as long as you have a job that does not involve heavy lifting. ·DO NOT use a bath tub, hot tub, swimming pool, pond or lake for 4 weeks. ·No smoking or second hand smoke-could cause tissue/skin loss. ·Absolutely NO ICE OR HEATING PADS to the surgical areas-you may freeze or burn your skin. ·You may be given a garment to wear instead of ace wraps. Wear the garment 24 hours a day except when showering until the doctor tells you differently. ·The day after your surgery, shower. Remove your Garment and dressings to shower
Average Length of Stay 7 Days Length of Stay in Hospital 1 Day Operation Duration 2-4 Hours Anesthesia General Anesthesia Recovery Duration 1-2 Weeks
