Arm Lift Surgery - Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty

Loose Arm Skin

Heavy upper arms are usually caused from the increased volume associated with weight gain. To accommodate the increase in volume, your skin stretches. As you lose weight, the skin of your upper arms often fails to tighten, so it sags. The result is loose upper arm skin. The only way to improve this problem is to undergo an arm lift, also called brachioplasty.

Is Liposuction an Option?

The only time liposuction is a better choice is when there is a lot of fat, but the skin is tight. It is not a choice if your problem is due to loose skin. An arm lift is the best choice when the skin is loose.

Incisions and Scars in Arm Lift

The greatest drawback of this operation is the scars. The scars extend from the armpit to the elbow, along the inside of the arm. This operation exchanges one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars). In general, those with very loose saggy skin are most likely to find this exchange worthwhile. Those with a small amount of looseness will probably not want the scars.

(The above listed fees do not reflect those of Dr. Loftus. For a complete listing, visit Fees at The Loftus Plastic Surgery Center.)

Arm Lift: During and After Surgery

Anesthesia: General or sedation.
Location of operation: Office or hospital.
Length of surgery: 1-2 hours
Length of stay: Outpatient (home same day).
Discomfort: Mild to moderate. Anticipate 2-5 days of prescription pain medication.
Swelling: Improves over 14 days.
Bruising: Is rare
Bandages: Will be removed in 1-7 days.
Stitches: Will be absorbable.
Back to work: 3-7 days.
Exercise: May be resumed in 2 weeks.
Final result: Will be seen after the scars have matured, which will be about six months.

Tips and Traps of Arm Lift

Realize that this operation involves the exchange of one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars). If you are unwilling to accept scars, you should not have this operation, as no surgeon can predict how the scars will heal on you.

Arm lift is for loose skin only. If your main problem is heavy arms that is caused by excess fat, then liposuction may be a better option.

Dr. Loftus is the highly acclaimed plastic surgeon who authored The Smart Woman's Guide to Plastic Surgery, which is the #1 Best-selling book on plastic surgery in the United States. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, THE TODAY SHOW and THE VIEW, discussing all facets of plastic surgery. People from all over the world travel to Cincinnati to seek her care.

Loftus Plastic Surgery Center
Cincinnati, Ohio: 513-793-4000
Northern Kentucky (A suburb of Cincinnati):
859-426-5000

The Cincinnati office is located within 45 minutes of Dayton, Ohio
The Kentucky office is located within 45 minutes of Lexington, Kentucky.

Arm Lift