BRACHIOPLASTY

An Arm Lift, also known as a Brachioplasty, involves removing excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper arm to reduce the floppy skin from the underarm to the elbow. This drooping, saggy upper arm, commonly referred to as “bat wings,” is typically not able to be corrected with exercise. While you may be able to tone the underlying muscles of the arm, the stubborn fat pockets and excess skin remain. Many patients who choose this procedure have experienced a major weight loss, have noticed laxity in their skin has increased with aging, or have hereditary factors that have contributed to this issue.

If the sagging skin on your upper arms prevents you from wearing your favorite clothes or from feeling comfortable raising your arms or even waving, you should consider an arm lift to restore a smoother, more youthful looking contour to your upper arms. You may be a good candidate for brachioplasty if you are a relatively healthy adult at a stable weight who is looking to change the appearance and laxity of their upper arms. It is vital that you have realistic expectations and a positive outlook. Achieving a full arm lift is impossible without a scar. Patients typically have an incision that runs from their armpit to their elbow, but most patients feel the scar is well worth the benefits of surgery.

BENEFITS OF SURGERY

• Eliminates saggy, excess skin Removes pockets of unwanted fat
• Restores a tighter, smoother contour to the upper arm
• Increases variety of clothes to add to one’s wardrobe

WHAT TO EXPECT

Once the decision is made to move forward with surgery, our team will schedule a pre-procedure visit and select your surgery date. An arm lift will be performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep for the operation. Surgery typically takes about two hours to complete. You will have a scar tucked under your arm where the excess skin was removed, but patients most often find the benefits outweigh the scar. You will go home the same day as surgery to recover. We recommend you plan for extra help around the house for the days following your procedure as you adjust and recover. Recovery for each patient varies and depends on your lifestyle.

YOUR CONSULTATION FOR ARM LIFT

If you are considering a brachioplasty or wondering if it may be the right procedure for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Szymanski to review your goals and desired results. It is important that you understand and have realistic expectations for the procedure before moving forward. During your appointment, Dr. Szymanski may have you undress to more fully evaluate the area and talk through you concerns.

Deciding if a plastic surgery procedure is the right choice for you is your individual decision. We want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. Before your first consultation with our office, we recommend you write down any questions you have and bring your list with you. It can also be beneficial to bring someone with you who is supportive and a good listener. If you find you have a lot of questions after your consultation, a second appointment to address your questions with Dr. Szymanski is always an option.