How Can I Tell If I Need an Armlift?

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a form of cosmetic surgery that addresses sagging skin under the upper arm by smoothing and tightening tissue, removing excess fat, and reducing extra skin. An arm lift can help tone and define your upper arms, thus alleviating the effects of heredity, weight loss, and aging for a more rejuvenated appearance.

Are There Different Types of Arm Lifts?

Judging by the amount of skin and excess fat that needs to be removed, you can undergo one of two types of arm lifts.

Mini Arm Lift

Due to its minimally invasive nature, people also refer to this procedure as a minimal incision or partial arm lift. It involves making a small incision in a patient’s armpit, through which the surgeon will remove excess arm fat via liposuction to shape the arm as desired.

A surgeon may also excise excess skin if necessary, then wrap the area carefully and give it time to heal. A mini arm lift is suitable for people who have lost a lot of muscle tissue because of aging or people who have drastically lost a substantial amount of weight.

Upper Arm Lift

This procedure involves sucking out excess fat under the upper arm via a cut running from the elbow to the armpit. A surgeon can excise excess skin and secure it in place for healing. This method is suitable for people who have drastically lost a lot of weight.

What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?

As the skin under the upper arm falls lower, the need for liposuction, an arm lift, or both becomes more apparent. While it is common for some patients to prefer liposuction to an arm lift due to lower chances of scarring, liposuction is not capable of addressing the issue of excess skin. Arm lifts are superior in this regard since they remove both excess fat and skin.

The removal of excess fat helps yield fast, natural-looking, and substantial results. An arm lift can help you achieve your desired results much quicker than other methods such as dieting and exercise.

Since arm lifts involve removing excess skin, your arms can become firmer and feel lighter, giving you a more youthful appearance. A rejuvenated appearance can become a major confidence boost.

What Realistic Expectations Should You Set for an Arm Lift?

Even though arm lifts can make your arms look more proportional to the rest of your body and boost your self-confidence, you should have realistic expectations regarding the achievable results and post-procedural effects. Here are some factors to consider if you are contemplating getting an arm lift.

You will probably have a long scar running from your elbow to your armpit following the procedure. While you can reduce the visibility of this scar using incision taping devices, your post-procedural care is what matters most. The scar might be visible 5-8 weeks after surgery.

If the area that needs lifting is not identified clearly, you may still have to endure saggy skin after the procedure. Such instances require follow-up surgery to tighten the loose skin.

The surgery lasts 2-3 hours, after which you will put on a compression garment to mitigate swelling. You can resume light activity a few days after the procedure. However, only resume strenuous activity at least four weeks later.

Choosing a Provider

Like many surgical procedures, you risk developing complications by choosing an unqualified or inexperienced provider. As a bare minimum, you should only choose a board-certified surgeon.

The plastic surgeons at New Image Plastic Surgery in San Antonio, TX, are highly qualified surgeons with over 30 years combined experience as healthcare leaders in the US Armed Services. Both Dr. Brostrom and Dr. Homas are board-certified plastic surgeons committed to helping their patients achieve the beautiful results they deserve. Contact our office by calling today or fill out our online form to get started.