Brachioplasty

"The contour of your arms distinguishes and grants a stylized and elegant figure to the body of the woman".

Skin laxity and accumulation of fat on the inside of the arms is a relatively common problem, especially after heavy weight loss.

Brachioplasty is the technique designed to correct this problem, remodeling the skin and fat of the arms, to achieve a more favorable and defined appearance of this body region.

General Overview

An arm lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the appearance of the lower arms.

During an arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, excess skin and fat is removed between the armpit and elbow. The remaining skin is placed in a new position to create a more toned appearance.

Why it is performed?

As you get older, the skin on your arms changes: it becomes flaccid and loosens. Significant weight loss can also cause the lower arms to fall off.

While exercise can strengthen and improve arm muscle tone, it cannot solve the problem of excess skin that has lost elasticity.

You might opt for a brachioplasty if your lower arms are down. A brachioplasty may also improve your body image.

Risks

An arm lift involves different risks, such as the following:

As in any other type of major surgery, an arm lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection, and side effects from anesthesia.

An arm lift isn't for everyone. Your doctor may warn you about an arm lift if you experience any of the following:

How to Prepare Yourself

First you will talk to a surgeon about a brachioplasty. During your first consultation, your plastic surgeon will likely do the following:

What to expect.

An arm lift may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.

Occasionally, the procedure is performed with sedation and local anesthesia to numb only part of the body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended, which makes you unconscious.

Before the procedure

During the procedure

The surgeon will make incisions in the lower arm. The size and shape of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.

After the incisions are made, the plastic surgeon will tighten the underlying tissues and secure them with stitches. You may also use a suction technique to remove fat (liposuction).

The skin will settle over the new contours and the excess skin will be removed. Stitches or surgical tape will be used to close the incisions.

After the procedure

After a brachioplasty, the incisions will be covered with bandages. The arms will be wrapped, loosely, with elastic bandages to minimize swelling. Small tubes may be placed in the arms to drain any excess blood or fluid.

You will probably see a member of the aesthetic surgery team one or two days after the brachioplasty procedure. This person may remove your bandages and drainage tube, if fitted. Some plastic surgeons may have you wear a compression sleeve for a few weeks so that swelling does not increase.

During the first few days after a brachioplasty:

After you have a brachioplasty, call your doctor right away if any of the following occurs:

Results

By removing loose skin, cosmetic surgery on the arms can provide a more toned appearance to the upper arms.

The results of cosmetic surgery on the arms are usually long-lasting. Remember, however, that your skin will naturally lose its firmness as you age, and it may become saggy. Maintaining a stable, healthy weight can help you maintain your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any pathology that contraindicates the performance of a brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty would be contraindicated in patients with a history of chronic-degenerative diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes) with poor control, as well as patients with coagulation problems. It is essential to have as normal a weight as possible in order to obtain good results.

How long does a brachioplasty last?

The duration of a brachioplasty is approximately 1h 45m to 3h, depending on the technique to be performed. Brachioplasty is performed in all cases with hospital admission. The first revision after surgery will be three days after the intervention to assess the immediate result and indicate the guidelines to follow.

Where will the scars be?

Scars in conventional brachioplasty will remain on the inner side of the arm, from the armpit to about three centimetres above the flexion zone of the forearm.

BRACHIOPLASTY

Skin laxity and accumulation of fat on the inside of the arms is a relatively common problem, especially after heavy weight loss.

​

Brachioplasty is the technique designed to correct this problem, remodeling the skin and fat of the arms, to achieve a more favorable and defined appearance of this body region.

General Overview

An arm lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the appearance of the lower arms.

During an arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, excess skin and fat is removed between the armpit and elbow. The remaining skin is placed in a new position to create a more toned appearance.

Why it is performed?

As you get older, the skin on your arms changes: it becomes flaccid and loosens. Significant weight loss can also cause the lower arms to fall off.

​

While exercise can strengthen and improve arm muscle tone, it cannot solve the problem of excess skin that has lost elasticity.

​

You might opt for a brachioplasty if your lower arms are down. A brachioplasty may also improve your body image.

Risks

An arm lift involves different risks, such as the following:

​

Formation of fibrous tissue. Scars from an arm lift incision are permanent, but are usually placed in areas that are not easily seen. Rarely, incisions can cause red, raised scars. Corticosteroid injections or other treatments may be used to improve the appearance of the scars.

​

Asymmetry of the shape of the arms. This may occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, while the surgeon will try to make the arms look as symmetrical as possible, there is no perfect symmetry.

​

Changes in skin sensation During an arm lift, repositioning of arm tissues can affect the superficial sensory nerves. You may feel temporary numbness.

​​

Problems with sutures. Sutures used to secure the new shape of the arm may make their way to the surface of the skin and must be removed. This can cause inflammation of the affected skin. As a result, you may need additional surgery.

​​

​

As in any other type of major surgery, an arm lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection, and side effects from anesthesia.

An arm lift isn't for everyone. Your doctor may warn you about an arm lift if you experience any of the following:

​

Significant overweight

Frequent weight changes

Medical condition that interferes with wound healing

Smoking

How to Prepare Yourself

First you will talk to a surgeon about a brachioplasty. During your first consultation, your plastic surgeon will likely do the following:

​

Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses. Discuss any medications you are taking or have recently taken, including over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements, as well as any surgeries you have had.

​​

Get a physical exam. To determine treatment options, your doctor will examine your lower upper arms. Your doctor will also take pictures of your arms for your medical record.

Analyze your expectations. Explain why you want to have a brachioplasty and what you want to achieve in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks, including the scars that will remain.

​​

What to expect.

An arm lift may be performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.

Occasionally, the procedure is performed with sedation and local anesthesia to numb only part of the body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended, which makes you unconscious.

​

Before the procedure

​

Avoid certain medications. You will probably have to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.

Get help for the recovery period. Ask someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you while you recover.

During the procedure

​

The surgeon will make incisions in the lower arm. The size and shape of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.

After the incisions are made, the plastic surgeon will tighten the underlying tissues and secure them with stitches. You may also use a suction technique to remove fat (liposuction).

The skin will settle over the new contours and the excess skin will be removed. Stitches or surgical tape will be used to close the incisions.

​

After the procedure

​

After a brachioplasty, the incisions will be covered with bandages. The arms will be wrapped, loosely, with elastic bandages to minimize swelling. Small tubes may be placed in the arms to drain any excess blood or fluid.

You will probably see a member of the aesthetic surgery team one or two days after the brachioplasty procedure. This person may remove your bandages and drainage tube, if fitted. Some plastic surgeons may have you wear a compression sleeve for a few weeks so that swelling does not increase.

During the first few days after a brachioplasty:

​

Avoid raising your arms above shoulder level for three to four weeks.

Avoid using your arms for physical activities and sports that could stretch the incisions four to eight weeks after surgery.

​​

Take the necessary analgesics and use topical or oral antibiotics, as indicated, to prevent wound infections.

Talk to your doctor about when the stitches will be removed, or if they will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others should be removed in the doctor's office in the weeks following the procedure.

​​

After you have a brachioplasty, call your doctor right away if any of the following occurs:

You're short of breath.

You have chest pain.

You have an irregular heartbeat.

Your skin is red and you have a fever.

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​

Results

​

By removing loose skin, cosmetic surgery on the arms can provide a more toned appearance to the upper arms.

The results of cosmetic surgery on the arms are usually long-lasting. Remember, however, that your skin will naturally lose its firmness as you age, and it may become saggy. Maintaining a stable, healthy weight can help you maintain your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any pathology that contraindicates the performance of a brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty would be contraindicated in patients with a history of chronic-degenerative diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes) with poor control, as well as patients with coagulation problems. It is essential to have as normal a weight as possible in order to obtain good results.