What Is an Arm Lift Procedure

An arm lift is becoming an increasingly popular type of cosmetic surgery that people are choosing to have done. As we age our tissues lose tone and firmness and often our skin and fat starts to sag and droop. People often start to feel self-conscious about this and want to improve their appearance and get back some of the youthful looks they once had.

An arm lift is known in the medical profession as a brachioplasty and it is a surgery that can help improve the appearance of a person’s arms. Skin is often loose and flabby in the section of the upper arm that runs between the elbow and armpit region.

It is not only aging that causes this problem but also if you lose a lot of weight. People who have had bariatric surgery and have lost a considerable amount of weight often have a lot of excess loose skin which looks very unattractive.

Surgeons are able to cut away the excess skin and fat (when needed) from the arm region and in the process they are able to sculpt a better looking arm. The procedure takes a couple of hours and often a compression garment needs to be worn afterwards.

For most patients, liposuction is not enough for fixing the problem of drooping arm tissues because the tissue is not only fat, but also extra skin which has to be cut away and tightened up. Remaining tissues are pulled tight and the arm stitched up afterwards. You can consult with cosmetic surgeons at clinics such as the Vera Clinic to find out more about this and other cosmetic procedures that can be done.

What are the risks associated with arm-lift surgeries?

It is important for people to remember that this is a surgical procedure which means that there are some risks associated with having a brachioplasty done. The possibility of visible scars does exist although surgeons with more experience may be able to minimize any scars from the surgery.

The risks of complications is also increased if you are very overweight or in poor health. If you also change weight frequently or smoke, then you are also not a good candidate for the arm lift surgery. In some cases only local anesthetic may be used but in other cases the doctors may need to put you under general anesthesia.

The use of general anesthesia is also a risk factor and you should ensure your doctor knows your full medical history, any allergies you may have, and any prescription and over-the-counter medications that you are taking. By informing your doctor you will reduce your risk of complications from having the surgery done.

Although there is always a risk of complications with any surgical procedure there are ways to lessen the chance of having complications arise during and after the surgery. You should be open and honest with your doctor and also be sure you choose to have the work done at an accredited facility with certified and experienced physicians.