Arm Lift St. Louis
Many of our patients with loose upper arm skin tell us they are very self-conscious about this particular area. They may go out of their way to try and hide this by wearing loose sleeves, long sleeves, and avoiding summer and swimwear. Some try vigorous arm workouts to try and tighten the skin without success.
If you are experiencing loose upper-arm skin and pockets of excess fat, it may be time to look into getting an arm lift, also referred to as a brachioplasty. Our surgeons can use a variety of techniques to give your arms a trimmer and more toned look. This may involve surgery, liposuction, or a combination of these depending on the amount of fullness and sag.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?
During your initial consultation, one of our surgeons will evaluate your overall health, thoroughly examine the general state of your arms, and review your past medical history to determine if you are fit for the procedure. He will evaluate your outer chest wall, armpit, breast, and upper back issues for additional laxity that you may want to be addressed concurrently for a smooth transition and comprehensive improvement.
The ideal candidate for an arm lift is in good health, doesn’t smoke, and has limited pinch thickness to the sagging skin. Patients with full arms and thicker amounts of remaining tissue may benefit first from aggressive volume reduction (liposuction), with possible staged removal of any remaining sag if needed.
Before & After
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What Happens During the Procedure?
Arm rejuvenation is typically performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. In some cases, liposuction will first be performed through tiny ¼ inch incisions near the elbow and armpit region to thin the tissues. Next, an incision will be made along the lower, inner part, or back of the arm. The loose skin will be pulled tight, marked, and removed. A delicate balance is obtained to remove as much skin as possible, while not putting too much tension on the closure. Several layers of dissolvable sutures will be placed and hidden under the skin and will not need removal. Special tapes and dressings will be applied for additional support during the first few weeks of healing. Drains and compression sleeves or wraps may be used to help speed recovery.
Recovering After Your Arm Lift
An arm lift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. You may experience a minor degree of temporary swelling, tenderness, bruising, or numbness to the area. You may be asked to wear a post-surgical compression garment or arm wraps to reduce swelling and ensure optimal results. Medication will be prescribed to help minimize discomfort in your recovery period.
Patients may need surgical drains for five to seven days following the procedure. These tubes will remove any excess fluids from the surgical areas in order to speed healing and recovery.
Arm-Lift Recovery Directions
You should avoid any strenuous activity over the course of a few weeks following the procedure. Light normal daily activity is okay but our surgeons request you avoid full flexion of the arm at the elbow, as well as reaching high overhead for the first 1-2 weeks. This will minimize tension on the closure and help keep your scar as thin as possible.
Most patients will need to take a two-week break from work in order to properly recover. Some may need to wait longer if their job is physically strenuous or requires lifting.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
To learn more information about the arm lift, contact our office and set up a consultation with one of our surgeons to find out if this procedure is right for you. We will be happy to discuss your options and help you feel comfortable and confident again.