Are you envious of First Lady Michelle Obama’s tight and toned upper arms? You aren’t the only one! She has inspired many to “hit the health club” trying to firm their saggy, drooping upper arms. But for some, exercise alone is not enough. Enter Plastic Surgery to the rescue! An arm lift or brachioplasty may be the alternative of which dreams are made.
As we age, our skin does too. This often leaves us with a loss of elasticity in certain body areas that is not pleasing. One of the most upsetting areas for women is the upper arms. As our skin continues the aging process, the upper arm skin can become flabby, dimply and very loose. A surgery that can correct this is called arm lift or brachioplasty.
An arm lift, with or without liposuction, can create a more sculpted upper arm that complements the rest of your body type. Today’s techniques are safer with much less conspicuous scars.
Are you a candidate for an arm lift? With age, the soft tissue of the upper arm becomes lax, causing ptosis or sagging, more commonly referred to as “bat wings”. This is a problem shared by thin and heavier women alike, dependent on aging and genetics. Even those who engage in regular exercise, such as strength training or Pilates cannot necessarily rid themselves of the sagging skin that develops in this area. This can be so disheartening and cause women to stop exercising and dieting. But those are the reasons to look into arm lift surgery, because often it is what can help you achieve the look you desire.
In preparation for your armlift surgery, your surgeon will give you a list of preoperative instructions to follow in the days before your surgery. These instructions may include quitting smoking, and to stop taking certain medications, vitamins and supplements that are known to increase bleeding risk. You will probably be told to take certain other supplements before your surgery to reduce swelling and bruising, such as Arnica Montana or Bromelain. Maintaining a high protein diet may also enhance the healing process. Make sure you talk with your doctor about what is recommended before your surgery.
The actual arm lift or brachioplasty surgery typically takes from one to three hours depending on the extent of the surgery. Liposuction alone may be sufficient for people with smooth skin and just a small amount of flab. For patients who have more significant amounts of skin and adipose tissue or fat will also benefit from this type of surgery. Often poor skin quality can be caused by excessive exposure to the sun.
If liposuction and skin removal are needed, first an incision is made. Then excess fat is removed with liposuction. Excessive skin is then trimmed, tightened and sutured in place using absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks of the surgery. At this stage, your skin will be smooth over the new contour of your arm.