Arm Lift
Conveniently located to serve San Diego, Oceanside, CA and Carlsbad, CA
The aging process or significant fluctuations in body weight can leave a person with sagging upper arms and excess skin. An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and excess fat that hangs in the upper arm.
Arm Lift Surgery in Oceanside, Carlsbad & San Diego Area
Many patients looking to improve their appearance are self-conscious of their arms so much so that they will forgo wearing a short sleeved T-shirt on the golf course or that sleeveless dress to a party. The excess skin can feel heavy and saggy, chafe when exercising, and in extreme cases be prone to rashes. An arm lift provides surgical relief for excess arm skin, whether from a dramatic weight loss through diet and exercise, a bariatric surgical weight loss, or other natural occurring contributing factors such as age, heredity, or lack of skin elasticity, or sun damage. A brachioplasty can be the answer to both men and women of many different ages.
Inner Arm Incision
Back of Arm Incision
Minimal Arm Lift Incision
To view Before & After Arm Lift Photos, click photos above. Individual results may vary.
WHAT IS AN ARM LIFT?
The arm lift removes excess skin from the upper inner arm all the way from from armpit to elbow.
Desired Outcome: Arm lift surgery removes drooping, sagging skin in the upper arms that is more apparent when the arms are brought away from the body. Reshaping, tightening, and smoothing the upper arm skin provides a more youthful silhouette and enhance toned arms that may not be visible with the excess skin and fat deposits.
Additionally, liposuction can compliment this surgical procedure’s overall appearance with extra shaping and contouring. This addition to the surgery is not always necessary to achieve your arm lift goals but can be helpful. Be sure to consult with our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gregory Park, and trust his aesthetic vision for your needs and bodily proportion.
Your Consultation
Discuss your cosmetic outcome desires during your consultation. Some patients have a specific idea of how they would like their arms to look post-operatively and others give complete aesthetic vision to their surgeon. Therefore, it is so important to ensure that your surgeon is an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. With good communication, you and Dr. Park, will decide what is the best outcome proportionally and aesthetically.
In cases where liposuction is used, the extra fat is removed and the arm is contoured. Subsequently, incisions on the inner aspect of the upper arms are made which extend from the underarm area to the elbow. Regardless of liposuction as an additional procedure, a long ellipse of skin and underlying fat is removed and the incision is closed with precise suturing for optimal scar healing.
Patients find that the improved arm contour and self-image far outweigh the inner arm scars resulting from the arm lift surgery. Scar healing optimization is imperative. Best outcomes result when patients participate and are compliant with scar care post-operatively.
Preparing for your Arm Lift Surgery
Before your arm lift, Dr. Park and his nurses will see you at your preoperative appointment. During this appointment you will get another opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have with regard to surgery and review all the details of surgery again.
You will be provided with prescriptions for medications required after surgery. You will also be provided with instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on drinking, eating, smoking, and avoiding certain medications or supplements.
While preparing for your arm lift, make sure to make arrangements to have a family member or friend drive you home after surgery. You may also want to have someone help you for a couple of days while you recover.
Your Arm Lift Surgery
Procedures are most commonly performed under general anesthesia. In some cases extra arm fat is removed with liposuction during the arm lift surgery. If this is the case, the liposuction is performed first, then the excess skin is removed. Incisions on the inner aspect of the upper arms are made which extend from the underarm area to the elbow. After this long ellipse of skin and underlying fat is removed, the wound margins are closed with precise suturing for optimal scar healing.
What to Expect After Surgery
Once the procedure is completed, the nurses will wrap the arms in ace wraps for compression. This will minimize swelling and support your new arm contours as you heal. Keeping your arms elevated for the majority of the time in the following several days also assists in the reduction of swelling.
You will be given medications including antibiotics and something for pain. Although vigorous exercise and heavy lifting are to be avoided for two weeks you can expect to return to normal activities within a few days with limited range of motion.
Incisions are healed within 7-14 days. Massaging your arm lift scars will optimize their appearance with time. Using various oils, lotions, or a medically prescribed lotion or gel add additional healing supplements while the actual act of massaging breaks up the underlying and forming scar tissue.
The dramatic improvement in the contour of the arms following arm lift surgery can greatly enhance your self-esteem and body image. A smooth, toned arm that matches your body image and personal goals does, however, come with visible scars. However, patients who choose to undergo arm lift surgery find that the trade off for improved arm contour and self-image is worth it.
The results of arm lift will be long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
The Next Step
To find out if you are a good candidate for arm lift surgery, call us at 760.655.1414 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Gregory Park. We look forward to helping you in achieving your goals.