What is it an arm lift?
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to reshape and contour the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat. It is typically performed to address sagging or loose skin in the upper arm area, often caused by factors such as aging, weight loss, or genetics.
During the arm lift procedure, an incision is made on the inner side of the upper arm, usually extending from the armpit to the elbow. The length and pattern of the incision may vary depending on the amount of excess skin to be removed. The surgeon then removes the excess skin and fat, and the remaining skin is tightened and repositioned to create a more toned and youthful appearance.
In some cases, liposuction may be combined with an arm lift to further contour the arm and remove excess fat deposits. This can help achieve more desirable arm proportions.
After the surgery, you will likely experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area. Dr. Viradia will provide instructions on how to care for the incisions, manage pain, and wear compression garments to support the healing process.
It's important to note that an arm lift is a surgical procedure and should be performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. If you are considering an arm lift, it's best to consult with Dr. Viradia who can evaluate your specific needs and goals and provide personalized advice.
What are the benefits of an arm lift?
There are several potential benefits of getting an arm lift (brachioplasty). These include:
- Improved Arm Contour: An arm lift can remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, resulting in a more toned and contoured appearance. It can help address sagging or drooping skin that may be caused by factors such as aging or significant weight loss.
- Increased Confidence: Many individuals feel self-conscious about the appearance of their upper arms, especially when wearing sleeveless or short-sleeved clothing. By improving the contour and tightness of the arms, an arm lift can boost self-confidence and make individuals feel more comfortable and confident in their appearance.
- Clothing Options: After an arm lift, individuals may feel more comfortable wearing clothing styles that they previously avoided due to concerns about their arm appearance. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops and dresses can become viable options, allowing for a broader range of clothing choices.
- Enhanced Proportion: An arm lift can help create a more balanced and proportionate upper body silhouette. By removing excess skin and fat from the upper arms, it can create a smoother transition between the arms, shoulders, and chest, resulting in improved overall body proportion.
- Long-lasting Results: The results of an arm lift are generally long-lasting, especially if a stable weight is maintained. While the natural aging process will continue, the excess skin and fat that were removed during the procedure will not return.
What is the recovery time like for an arm lift?
The recovery process after an arm lift (brachioplasty) can vary from person to person, but generally, it takes several weeks to months to fully recover. Here is a general timeline of the recovery process:
- Immediately After Surgery: You will likely experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area. Your surgeon may place drains to help remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. You will be instructed to wear compression garments to support the healing process and minimize swelling.
- First Week: During the first week, you will need to take it easy and avoid any strenuous activities. It's important to keep your arms elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. You may experience some pain and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication.
- 2-3 Weeks: After the first week, you may start to feel more comfortable and gradually resume light activities. However, you should still avoid any activities that strain the arms or cause excessive stretching of the incision sites. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions on when you can start incorporating more activities into your routine.
- 4-6 Weeks: By this time, most of the swelling and bruising should have subsided. You may start to see noticeable improvements in the contour and appearance of your arms. However, it's important to continue wearing compression garments as instructed and follow any activity restrictions provided by your surgeon.
- Several Months: It can take several months for the incision scars to fade and flatten. During this time, it's important to protect the incision sites from sun exposure and follow Dr. Viradia's scar care instructions. It's also important to attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing.
Why Choose Viradia Plastic Surgery?
An ASPS Plastic Surgeon Innovator of the year award recipient, Dr. Viradia
offers extensive knowledge and experience to provide his patients with symmetry, balance and precision during your procedures. He also utilizes removal of fat and skin using techniques that involve removal of both with liposuction cannulas as well as excising the fat and skin directly for the upper arms and even into the axilla as needed.
In addition Dr. Viradia is well versed in bariatric surgery and the aftercare involved. Since he is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, he has ample experience in performing those very same bariatric procedures for weight loss from his prior training. Using those experiences he knows how to connect with his weight loss patients and those wanting body contouring procedures as a highly skilled plastic surgeon to take them through all the steps needed to get their desired outcome.
He also uses the posterior incisional approach which helps in hiding your incision better with a tolerable scar that will be far less noticeable compared to other techniques.
Dr. Viradia's unique strength lies in offering patients a wide variety of surgical procedures, including breast lifts and augmentations, facelifts, butt lifts, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, browlifts, neck lifts, fat grafting to the face and hands, and more while leveraging the latest and most innovative medical advancements to provide you with the best possible results and experience. The results have been exceptional for his patients.
Dr. Viradia is committed to providing you with services and procedures tailored to your individual needs. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation.