Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Overview
Brachioplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that can improve the appearance of your upper arms. Essentially, an arm lift removes excess skin off the upper arms for a slimmer, sleeker contour. It involves tightening sagging skin and supportive tissue. Surgeons can also remove pockets of fat.
Studies show that dramatic weight loss can cause irreparable damage to collagen and elastin in the skin. In addition to weight loss, there are also genetic factors that can cause your skin to sag, changes in skin elasticity that occur with age and some diseases such as lymphedema that can alter the appearance of the arm. Once the skin is loose, it’s loose. With the removal of excess skin and fat together to create the best contour, brachioplasty makes your arms appear more sculpted in a way that exercise and diet alone can’t.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Surgery
A brachioplasty or ‘arm lift’ combines liposuction with incisions in the inner arm and armpit to tighten the surrounding skin producing slimmer, more appealing arms. The procedure targets the inner aspect of the upper arms – an area that is resistant to most forms of exercise, including weight training.
The operation involves a combination of skin and fat excision, along with liposuction. The targeted area is marked out and liposuction performed to reduce the fat in this region. The excess skin is then carefully excised to ensure that the scar is positioned in as inconspicuous a site as possible. Finally, supportive tissue may need to be tightened and the remaining skin is smoothed over before final suturing occurs.
Types of Brachioplasty Surgery
Minimal Incision Brachioplasty
A less invasive approach to Brachioplasty with the ability to address some excess skin is available. This technique creates an incision in the armpit region resulting in a minimally visible scar, and most patients experience minimal discomfort after this procedure.
Liposuction can be used in conjunction with this technique to remove excess fat. Yet, adequate skin elasticity and minimal excess skin are considered when a surgeon determines whether this is the appropriate approach
Traditional Brachioplasty
Traditional brachioplasty can remove saggy skin as well as fat in the upper arm region, thus tightening the skin and producing a desirable contour. The incision runs along the bottom of the upper arm, from the elbow to the armpit, which tends to result in a significant Brachioplasty scar. This is the most common approach cosmetic surgeons use to address excessively loose skin in the upper arm region.
Extended Brachioplasty
Extended brachioplasty addresses more than just excess loose skin and fat in the upper arms as seen in the traditional brachioplasty. This technique also addresses sagging on the side of the chest which is typically seen after massive weight loss. Ultimately, improvements in the appearance of the upper arms and sides of the chest can be achieved. However, the incision extends from the elbow, under the arm, and along the chest wall leading to an extensive scar. This would be the preferred approach for patients with excessively loose skin in the upper arms and sagging skin on the sides of the chest caused by extreme weight loss.
Fish-Incision Brachioplasty
Fish-incision Brachioplasty, like traditional Brachioplasty, addresses both extra skin and fat of the upper arms that results after vast weight loss. The two techniques differ in the shape of the incision, and ultimately, the resulting scar. Instead of a straight scar which results from the traditional technique, the resulting scar from the fish-incision brachioplasty is an S-shaped scar concealed along the bicep, making it hidden from front and back views. Fish-incision brachioplasty is performed if patients prefer to have a scar in the inner arm rather than the bottom portion of the upper arm.
Brachiplasty (Arm Lift) Recovery
Brachioplasty has become increasingly popular as a means to rejuvenate the upper arm, especially after massive weight loss. Though hindrance towards this procedure mainly lies within the extensive scar that can result, many would deem a lengthy scar an appropriate trade-off for more contoured arms. The recovery from a brachioplasty will take from one to two weeks. Patients generally feel well enough to return to work in seven to fourteen days, sometimes sooner. At this time, light activities can be resumed, although heavy lifting and vigorous exercise should be postponed for three to four weeks.
The surgery is performed under general anesthetic and takes Dr. Kim 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete. There is minimal pain and this can be well controlled with oral analgesia.
The double ellipse technique results in a straight scar that runs along the underside of the upper arm, making it inconspicuous during most daily activities. The extent of scarring is variable between patients. There are many factors that can contribute to the appearance of the resulting scar including:
- Location of scar
- Skin tone
- History of keloids or raised scars
- Post-operative sun exposure
The scarring that can result after surgery is inevitable, but thanks to the progressive nature of modern medicine, there are ways to minimize the visibility of scars. Using a compression garment as recommended by Dr. Kim in conjunction with taping along the scar can help with healing and preventing the widening of the scar.
It is essential that the patient uses sunscreen of 30 SPF or greater along the scar and avoids direct sun exposure to the scar for at least six months after surgery.
The Do Not’s After Arm Lift
- DO NOT apply hydrogen peroxide to incision sites. Keep post-op dressings in place until follow-up.
- DO NOT soak in baths, Jacuzzis, or hot tubs until all incisions have fully healed.
- DO NOT take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or other blood thinners until your surgeon advises you it is safe.
- DO NOT apply heating pads or ice packs to the treated areas unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) FAQs
Can underarm fat be removed through Liposuction during the Arm Lift?
Yes, underarm fat can be removed through both surgical and noninvasive methods. Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that provides fat reduction and general contouring. This is a surgical procedure, meaning there are associated recovery and activity restrictions for patients who undergo liposuction.
CoolSculpting is a noninvasive fat reduction technology that works to freeze fat cells to be eliminated from the body over time. Because it is non-invasive, there is no associated scarring, anesthesia, or recovery/downtime. The upper arms are a common area for patients to treat with either CoolSculpting or liposuction.
Do arm lift scars fade?
Over time, the pigmentation of scars tends to fade. Some patients may be more prone to hyperpigmented scars. It all depends on a patient's complexion and ethnicity. Other methods to optimize scarring include adequate sun protection and Biocorneum. As the only FDA-approved scar treatment, Biocorneum is a silicone-based scar gel that also includes SPF 30. We encourage our patients to always utilize medical-grade SPF and Biocorneum as soon as their incisions are fully healed.
What type of anesthesia is used during an arm lift?
An arm lift is typically performed under general anesthesia, ensuring that the patient is asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure. In some cases, local anesthesia with sedation may be used. The choice of anesthesia will be discussed during the preoperative consultation, considering the patient's health and preferences.
Body Procedures
Dr. Michael K. Kim
Dr. Michael K. Kim is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years in practice and 10 years of additonal extensive specialized surgical training. He has the experience, training, and accreditation you should seek when choosing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
