An Arm Lift, or Brachioplasty, is a procedure that remove loose and sagging skin of the upper arm. A brachioplasty can help with the loss of skin elasticity – a problem that can occur as we age or with significant weight loss – by tightening the skin from the underarm to the elbow. Removing the excess skin and fat tissue can give your arms a more toned appearance, helping you feel more confident.
If you have an excess amount of loose skin and fat tissue on the underside of your upper arm that has been diet and exercise resistant, then a brachioplasty may be the right choice for you. The sagging skin and localized fat deposits can occur for many reasons, such as fluctuations in weight, aging, or even be hereditary. Exercise can improve the underlying muscle tone but it cannot improve the loss of elasticity in the skin, making it difficult for the upper arm to become a more youthful shape and tone. During your consultation, Dr. Stiller will go over your goals and help you get the shapely arms you've always wanted.
An Arm Lift, or brachioplasty, begins by Dr. Stiller performing liposuction (link) to help contour and remove stubborn fat deposits from the upper arm. The length and pattern of the incision can depend on how much excess tissue there is and what was discussed with Dr. Stiller. Most commonly, a vertical incision is made on the inside of the arm from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow. The excess tissue is pulled tight, removed and incisions are then closed.
For your Cosmetic Surgery, cash pay procedures, your surgery will be performed at our own on-site AAAASF accredited surgery center at our Stiller Aesthetics office. Our operating room is fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.
A brachioplasty is an outpatient procedure, so after a short period of recovery time, you will go home the same day. Recovery after a brachioplasty can vary between patients however, most patients recover very well. When you wake up from surgery, you will be in an arm compression garment which we advise to wear the first 2 weeks 24/7 followed by 2 more weeks during times of activity. You can expect bruising, swelling and a feeling of tightness for about 2-3 weeks. At 2 weeks, patients can generally start to increase their activity level. We recommend not raising your arms above your head for 6 weeks. Patients most commonly return to normal activity at 8 weeks.
You will be provided with detailed post-operative instructions upon completion of your procedure. If at any time you should have any questions or concerns after surgery, please contact our practice immediately.
Upper Arm Lift results can vary between patients, so it is important to be patient. Most patients notice a significant difference in the first 3 months as the swelling continues to improve. However, it is normal to experience numbness of the inner arm for several months. You will have a scar on the inside of your arm which may appear pink and raised 2-3 months after surgery. As time goes on, the color will begin to fade and the scar will flatten to a thin white line. Maintaining a steady weight can help your Arm Lift results last.
