Having “flabby” or “jiggly” arms resulting from aging or after significant weight loss can make it difficult to find clothes that fit correctly and can have an impact on a person’s self esteem. Having successfully achieved desired weight loss and then being left with the excess loose skin can be a significant frustration after the accomplishment of the weight loss efforts. No amount of exercise will alleviate this loose skin. Fortunately, the arm lift procedure helps resolve this problem.
What is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?
A nutritious and well balanced diet with regular exercise contributes to a healthy life style. Our physical appearance, however, is also dependent on genetics, environmental factors, the aging process, and life experiences, such as weight fluctuations and pregnancies. Even after weight loss, we can be left with loose skin and poor contours of the arms, often referred to as the “batwing-like” appearance. Skin often does not tighten adequately when fat melts away with weight loss. In such cases when the arm skin is loose, an arm lift procedure may be the solution to tighten and recontour sagging skin.
Who is a Good Candidate?
- Someone with significant loose and sagging skin of the upper arms
- Someone who has experienced excessive weight loss after dieting or due to gastric bypass or lap band surgery
- Individuals developing rashes or irritations from the folds of excess skin
- A healthy individual
- Non-smoker
- Realistic goals and expectations for body contouring
“Dr. Parva,
You have done for me what I have not been able to accomplish; you have enabled me to like myself better and not be in earnest to hide.”
The Arm Lift Procedure:
Presently there is no other procedure that can restore the appearance and contours of the arms than an arm lift. Incisions are dependent on the location and extent of loose skin. Generally an arm lift will require incisions from the arm pit to just above the elbow on the inside of the arm. If there is extensive loose skin below the elbow or in the arm pit, then incisions will extend over these areas. The specific procedure is tailored to your needs based on the location and extent of loose skin. An important factor is removal of as much skin as is necessary to contour the arm, but care must be taken not to remove too much. The quality of the skin affects the final result. Thin skin can stretch more easily after the surgery and may not maintain the tight, contoured results as well.
Recovery and Healing:
- Initial healing takes 10 to 14 days and sutures are usually under the skin and do not require removal.
- Drains are often used to prevent fluid buildup under the skin and these are removed about one week after surgery.
- Position is important. You must avoid stretching the arm up, strenuous activity or lifting for one week.
- Light activities are permitted within 2 weeks as you are able.
- Return to work and normal activities in a few weeks, but still avoiding heavy lifting or vigorous exercise.
- Sun protection is important and scar reduction techniques, such as garments and silicone gel, are helpful in the weeks and months to follow.
Results:
Noticeable results are seen immediately but it will take several months for swelling to settle and for the long term results to be evident.
Firmness and numbness may take months to improve and scars can take more than 1 year to fade. Scars however are permanent but less noticeable because of they are placed on the inside of the arm.
Your new contours are long lasting when you maintain body weight and fitness.
As your body ages, you will naturally lose some firmness.
Schedule Your Arm Lift Consultation
Please contact Parva Plastic Surgery for your complimentary arm lift consultation with Dr. Parva, board certified plastic surgeon today.