Upper Arm Lift - Sinno Plastic Surgery

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If you feel that you have too much excess skin on the back of your upper arms, and the skin is sagging due to aging, weight loss or a genetic predisposition, you may want to consider having an upper arm lift performed. At the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we can help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Please feel free to set up a consultation (schedule an appt) with Dr Fady Sinno to talk about your specific needs and answer any questions you might have about the procedure.

What is an upper arm lift?
Who should have one?
How is an upper arm lift done?
What results can you expect with an upper arm lift?
How can you prepare for your upper arm lift?
What can you expect when you are healing?
How long will results last?
What are the possible side effects or risks?
Are there other procedures that can be done along with an upper arm lift?
Are there any alternatives to brachioplasty?
Will insurance pay for the procedure?
Next steps …

WHAT IS AN UPPER ARM LIFT?
An upper arm lift is an operation that tightens the soft tissues of the upper arm by removing the loose skin and excess fat.

WHO SHOULD HAVE ONE?
The best candidate for the procedure is someone in good health who has excessive skin sagging or laxity in the upper arms. This is very common after massive weight loss.

HOW IS AN UPPER ARM LIFT DONE?
At the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery, we usually perform the procedure using general anesthesia. In order to remove the unwanted skin, an incision is required that runs from near the elbow, along the back of the arm, into the armpit.

We are careful to place the incision in the most inconspicuous location—toward the back of the inner arm. In some patients, the incision can be concealed completely in the armpit. The arm lift procedure is frequently combined with liposuction for additional contouring.

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT WITH AN UPPER ARM LIFT?
The tightening of the arms is permanent, as long as no major weight gains occur. The scars make take 2 years to fade but they never disappear completely.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR UPPER ARM LIFT?
The best way to prepare your body for surgery is to make healthy lifestyle choices in the weeks beforehand. Exercise regularly. Get adequate sleep. Eat right. Take vitamin supplements. Reduce stress. If you prepare your body for surgery, your “back-to-normal time” is often reduced.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE HEALING?

Swelling
After surgery, you will experience some swelling and bruising. Your upper arms are either wrapped or placed in an elastic sleeve to reduce swelling. The dressings put on at the time of surgery usually stay in place for several days.

Dr. Sinno will change them at your post-op office visit. Once Dr. Sinno removes the dressings, you may wash or shower. Water and cleanliness will help you, not harm you.

Initial healing usually occurs within 10-14 days. Sutures (stitches) are usually absorbable or removed within 2 weeks. Swelling and bruising gradually disappear over 3-4 weeks. All swelling is gone in 3-6 months.

Scars
Initially, your surgical scars will appear red or dark pink. They will start out looking very narrow, but may widen over time. This is something that cannot be predicted or controlled. Your surgical scars will fade in six to 24 months, depending on your skin tone and color.

Bear in mind that healing is not always even from side to side. This mild asymmetry is usually not cosmetically significant. If the asymmetry is significant, additional surgery to help reduce scarring may be considered.

On rare occasions, surgical interference with the body’s lymph drainage system may require use of a compression “stocking” for the upper arm after surgery. This problem, if it occurs, is minor and does not last long.

Activity
Use your arms carefully and gently until after you get clearance for full activities, usually in 3-4 weeks.

You can probably drive as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Let you body “tell” you when you are ready. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask our staff.

Diet and Nutrition
Good diet and nutrition will help your body heal better, and faster, after a surgical procedure.

Drink plenty of water or clear fluids; up to 64 ounces a day is recommended
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal
Eat small amounts of protein with every meal
Eat every 4-5 hours; do not wait longer to eat
Eat more frequent meals, with fewer calories per meal
Eat breakfast within an hour after you get up
Use vitamin supplements, especially antioxidants, to promote healing and renew energy

HOW LONG WILL THE RESULTS LAST?
The results are permanent as long as you don't gain excessive weight.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OR RISKS?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome of the procedure occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

Minor scarring
Areas of wrinkling or slight depression. As healing progresses, these problems, if present at all, usually disappear.
Damage to sensory nerves causes numbness in the skin. Any surgery can damage these nerves, although it does not occur frequently. Any numbness that occurs after surgery generally disappears within a few months.

The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for you can only be determined during your consultation with the doctor prior to performing the procedure.

ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT CAN BE DONE ALONG WITH AN UPPER ARM LIFT?
Liposuction of the arms is commonly done in combination with the upper arm lift, if needed.

ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES TO BRACHIOPLASTY?
The alternatives to upper arm lift surgical procedure, which you have probably already considered, include liposuction, weight loss and exercise, especially weight lifting for toning the backs of the arms.

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR THE PROCEDURE?
An upper arm lift is considered to be cosmetic surgery. Therefore, it is not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for full payment.

NEXT STEPS . . .
Please feel free to contact us for a consultation with Dr. Sinno to talk about your specific needs. We can answer your questions and create a customized plan that will work best for you and your body.