PROCEDURES
Brachioplasty
What is a Brachioplasty/Arm Lift?
Brachioplasty is also known as an Arm Lift or Arm Tuck. It is a procedure designed to remove loose skin and reduce the circumference of the upper arms to give a smoother and more youthful appearance.
Fast Facts:
Length of procedure: 2 – 3 hours.
Type of anaesthesia: General anaesthetic.
Length of stay: Day case.
What to expect post-op: Your arms may have a burning sensation initially after surgery, and you will need to wear a supportive post-surgical garment for a few weeks post-surgery.
Recovery time: Light activity is permitted on day 2. Return to normal activities may take 1-2 weeks.
Results: Long-term, unless you experience significant variations in weight.
Who might benefit from a Brachioplasty?
The upper arms often have loose, sagging skin after weight loss or with increasing age due to loss of elasticity in the skin. Toning and shaping of the arm muscles can give a good foundation for an attractive arm, but if there is excess sagging skin, there is no option other than removing it surgically. Brachioplasty is a body-contouring surgery that is usually done after weight loss. With Brachioplasty, the trade-off is a scar on the inner arm, in exchange for an improved, smoother contour of the upper arms.
What does a Brachioplasty procedure involve?
During your consultation, Dr do Vale will discuss and answer the questions you may have regarding brachioplasty, all options available to you, the risks involved, and the expected benefits and results so that together you can come to a personalised decision about your arm tuck.
Depending on the severity of excess loose arm skin, Dr do Vale can tailor the procedure to suit the patient’s needs. In most cases, the incision will run from the underarm region to the elbow. The scar is placed in the inner aspect of the upper arm, facing the side of the chest, as this is the least visible area to place a scar on the upper arm. A piece of skin with the dermis and the underlying subcutaneous fat is removed before neatly suturing the wound closed. An arm lift is often combined with liposuction to give an improved contour to the upper arm. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure which involves sculpting the body by removing unwanted fat from certain areas, such as the hips, abdomen, buttocks, thighs and knees, upper arms and the facial area.
A ‘limited brachioplasty’ is possible when the skin excess is limited only to the upper half of the upper arm. In these cases, the scar can be placed in the underarm area, avoiding a scar on the inner aspect of the arm. When there is good skin tone and minimal skin sagging, liposuction alone may reshape the arm by removing excess fat.
Recovery after Brachioplasty:
The brachioplasty procedure typically takes 2- 3 hours, and a drainage tube may be placed in each arm, this will be removed a few days after surgery. The healing process may take 10 -14 days. A light elastic bandage or compression garment may be recommended during your recovery. Avoid strenuous activity for 1 month. Recovery time is essential after having a brachioplasty.
For more information on Brachioplasty/Arm lift or to find out if it’s the right procedure for you, request a consultation below or call 0109003999 to schedule your detailed consultation with Dr do Vale.