Whether you have worked super hard to lose a significant amount of weight or you’ve had multiple pregnancies leaving you with excess skin and fat all around your body, an arm lift is the perfect procedure to combine with any body contouring procedure.
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits of the surgery outweigh the risks and potential complications of surgery.
You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your surgeon.
An arm lift is performed under a general anesthetic. During the procedure, an incision from the underarm area is made along the inside or back of the upper arm. Additional incisions may be made on the arms depending on where any other sagging pockets of skin are found. Dissolvable stitches will be used along the surgical incision. Surgical dressings will be applied and a compression garment will be used on top. Depending on your surgeon, you may be fitted for the garment a week after surgery rather than going home with a garment the same day.
It is important to know that while technically the results of an arm lift are permanent, any significant fluctuations in weight can greatly diminish the results. It is recommended that individuals who are planning to lose weight or women considering pregnancy postpone the procedure. An arm lift procedure will also not be able to correct stretch marks, but some may be excised if they are along the surgical incision. It is possible that tattoos may have to be removed during the excision to allow for a better result. A good candidate for surgery is a patient who is relatively healthy, has reached their weight loss goals and has realistic expectations for post-operative outcomes. This procedure is not a replacement for a weight loss or exercise regime.
Arm lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, arm lift techniques along with liposuction may be recommended. Diet and exercise programs may also be beneficial for reducing excess body fat and improving body contour.
It is also strongly advised that you be a non-smoker at the time of surgery. If you are a smoker we recommend you quit smoking at least 3 months prior to surgery as nicotine can interfere with blood supply and potentially cause complications with healing after surgery.
