When waving hello or goodbye, the only body part we expect to move is the hand. At some point, many people notice that they feel a little wiggle at the back of their arms when they wave. For those who have lost a significant amount of weight, the backs of the arms may move quite a bit when they wave. Tissue may hang and droop so much that they try to hide their arms. With summer on its way, the last thing we want to do is cover up unnecessarily. If you want to wear short sleeves and tank tops with confidence, consider the value of arm lift surgery.
What Is An Arm Lift?
We refer to arm lift surgery as Brachioplasty. This procedure focuses on removing the excess tissue from the area between the elbow and the armpit. Here, the tissue often accumulates and sags at the backside of the arm. Brachioplasty can remove excess fat and slim the upper arm by trimming the skin and connective tissue that has lost firmness and elasticity. Once the contour of this part of the body is reinstated, it can last indefinitely.
What Happens During Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes 2 to 3 hours to complete. Patients receive general anesthesia for this surgery and are released to a loved one once they have regained a state of alertness. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Shah makes an incision on the underside of the arm. Here, resulting scars cannot be seen when the arms are at the sides. The incision may be short or it may extend from the underarm area to the elbow. This depends on how much the back of the arm droops.
To achieve optimal contours, liposuction may be performed first. This removes any excess fatty tissue that may make the arm look out of proportion. Then, muscle, connective tissue, and skin are pulled tighter. Excess is trimmed and the edges of each layer of tissue are stitched together. A drainage tube may be inserted, and dressings and bandages are applied. If drains are placed, they may be removed in just a few days. Stitches may be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Arm Lift Recovery
Patients can expect soreness and tenderness after their arm lift. Prescription pain medication may need to be taken for a few days. Within a week, though, most patients are comfortable without it. While it is important to walk after having surgery, activities that move the arms away from the body will be restricted for a few weeks after the arm lift. This prevents disruption to the incisions. By 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, most normal activities can be resumed
If you’re eyeing those short-sleeved tops for summer, now is the time to consider an arm lift to feel your best. Schedule your consultation in our office near Las Vegas at 702-684-5502