Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Arm lift or brachioplasty is a procedure designed to contour predominantly the upper arm region.  If there is good skin tone and only fat excess, liposuction alone can give good improvement to the arm appearance.  However, if there is significant skin laxity or sagging as frequently occurs with massive weight loss or aging, liposuction alone will not give adequate improvement and a brachioplasty would be indicated.

Procedure

The arm lift procedure involves an incision in the inner upper arm region which allows excision of excessive hanging skin with resultant tightening of this region.  Depending on the degree of fat excess in the arm liposuction may also be added to further contour the arm.  Typically the subsequent scar will extend from the axilla to the medical elbow region and is positioned so as not to be readily visible with the arms by the sides.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients in good health with realistic expectations
• Patients who have undergone massive weight loss, such as with gastric bypass surgery, with resultant skin excess.
• Patients with loss of skin tone and skin sagging secondary to aging.
• Patients willing to accept the resultant scar in the medial arm region.

In/Out Patient

The arm lift procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation, but more commonly is performed under general anesthesia.  The procedure usually is performed on an out patient basis and does not require an overnight stay.

Risks & Complications

Risks and complications of brachioplasty surgery include but are not limited to infection, bleeding (hematoma) skin loss, numbness and unfavorable scarring.  Smoking significantly increases the risk of skin necrosis and delayed wound healing.  Significant complications, although possible, are not common.

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