Arm Aesthetics (Brachioplasty)

Understanding Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift, known in the medical community as a brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to contour the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat. This procedure can be performed on its own or in conjunction with other body contouring surgeries such as tummy tucks, breast enhancements or reductions, and leg lifts to achieve a more proportionate overall appearance.

Choosing the Right Procedure: Arm Lift vs. Liposuction

The best surgical method for improving the appearance of the arms depends on the individual's specific concerns, primarily the quality of their skin.

• Liposuction Alone: For individuals who have good skin elasticity with no sagging and are only concerned with an excess of fat, liposuction (laser fat removal) is often the preferred method.
• Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): In cases where there is significant skin sagging in addition to excess fat, liposuction alone is not sufficient. An arm lift is the recommended procedure to address both issues effectively.

The Arm Lift Procedure

Surgical Technique The operation is performed in an operating theatre. To begin, the surgeon makes an elliptical incision on the inner and rear areas of the upper arm, where sagging most commonly occurs. Through this incision, the excess skin and fat are removed. If necessary, liposuction can also be performed on other areas of the arm during the same session to achieve the best possible contour. Anesthesia and Closure Arm lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthetic. Once the reshaping is complete, the incision site is closed with two layers of internal stitches to ensure a secure and clean closure. Protective padding is then applied over the area at the end of the operation.

The Recovery Process

Following the procedure, the recovery is managed in stages to ensure proper healing.

• Immediately After Surgery: Patients are typically able to return home approximately 2-3 hours after the procedure is complete.
• The First Few Days: The initial padding is removed the day after surgery so the incision site can be checked. At this point, a special compression garment (corset) is fitted, which the patient should wear continuously for 2-3 weeks.
• Activity and Positioning: During the initial recovery period, patients are recommended to hold their arms in an elevated position as much as possible to help reduce swelling.
• Returning to Exercise: After the initial 2-3 week period of wearing the compression garment, patients can begin to resume sports and exercises that do not require significant arm movements.