Arm Lift

Heavy arms are often a source of great dissatisfaction to many female patients and because the arms are visible in a variety of outfits, patients often express frustration with unsuccessful efforts to disguise this obvious problem. As a result, these individuals often avoid wearing short-sleeved clothing because they are embarrassed about the appearance of their flabby arms.

While other body parts are easier to disguise arms can be very difficult to conceal particularly in warm weather. In some cases and especially following weight loss the main deformity is skin excess that is referred to as “bat wings” which can get caught in clothing, obstruct daily activities and in some cases be prone to rashes. A brachioplasty procedure can remove any skin excess that may exist resulting in a tightened and reshaped contour of the arms. Liposuction can be used in addition to correct any irregularities to give a smooth contour. In certain cases where the main problem is localized fat in the upper arms with otherwise good skin elasticity, liposuction alone without skin removal may be possible to achieve the desired outcome.

What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, also known by its scientific name brachioplasty, is a cosmetic procedure for women and men who have excess skin in their upper arms. Flabby arms are often a result of aging or significant weight loss. This procedure will sculpt your arms and help improve the proportions of your body!

Arm surgery will get rid of “bat wings” and help restore the contour of your arms. Excess skin can be bothersome and sometimes embarrassing. Some of our patients have avoided physical activities because they are self-conscious of the way their arms jiggle. An arm lift will remove excess skin and enhance the overall contours of your figure.

This procedure may be combined with liposuction for optimal results. At our practice, we implement tumescent liposuction to produce our patient’s best results!

In a tumescent lipo procedure, a “wetting fluid” is first administered to the arms. This fluid helps to lessen blood loss during treatment, resulting in a quicker surgery and shorter, more comfortable recovery time. Once the fluid is administered, Dr. Dalia Tobbia will use a cannula to gently dislodge and remove fat cells. This technique will allow the definition and size of your arms to be enhanced!

Incision Techniques

Arm reduction surgery often uses a single incision to access fat and recontour the arms. The length of the incision will vary in length depending on the amount of tissue and skin to be removed. Generally, the incision will run from the elbow to the armpit on the underside of the arm. For smaller arm lifts, it is sometimes possible to use a shorter incision that can be concealed in the armpit.

The improvement you would like to see and the current state of your arms will decide the best incision strategy. Flabby arms will no longer be a problem once Dr. Dalia Tobbia has artistically sculpted them!

Benefits

Candidates

Men and women who have undergone weight loss or who are unhappy with excess arm skin qualify for brachioplasty. This procedure assists in removing excess saggy skin and fat. If you are interested in the procedure, you will need to be healthy and within your ideal weight.

We love helping our patients and would love to learn more about your concerns. Schedule a consultation with us today so we can start you down the road to slender arms!

Consultation

Before you consider undergoing any surgical procedure, a physical examination and consultation will take place with our surgical expert. Because each patient is unique, both physically and with regards to aesthetic desires an individually tailored treatment plan is formulated based on detailed discussions of the most up to date surgical options available. Photographs are taken and diagrams used to explain the procedure in a step-by-step manner including limitations and possible risks.

The main goal is to provide you with realistic expectations. Surgery is aimed at tightening of sagging skin and/or removal of excess localized fat to the upper arms.

Your personal meeting with Dr. Dalia Tobbia is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and get the opinions of an experienced surgeon. We encourage our patients to write down their questions and bring them to their meeting. A starting point for your questions may be:

These questions are a great place to start and help you think about your own concerns or thoughts about brachioplasty. If an arm lift is deemed safe and healthy for you, Dr. Dalia Tobbia and you will plan out a surgery date.

Preparation

Prior to your appointment, you will need to take certain steps to ensure a healthy surgery and restful recovery. Fill prescriptions and arrange for rides to and from the procedure. Make sure you have plenty of time to rest and relax. This will require you to ask for one to two weeks off from work. You and Dr. Dalia Tobbia will further discuss recovery times in your consultation. In the days that lead up to your procedure, be sure to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

Surgical Method

We employ the most up to date concepts in our surgical techniques. This surgery is indicated in patients who have one or more areas of sagging skin lacking in tone with asymmetrically localized fat. Contouring procedures are performed under general anesthesia. The technique applied is based on individual patient parameters and anatomical location. Accurate preoperative planning is made to suit each individual patient targeting the area that needs to be addressed. The position and length of scars depend on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed. In some cases, it is possible to conceal the scars in the armpit.

However, if the arms have significant skin excess this will not be possible and longer cars are the tradeoff to removing large skin bulk. Liposuction is used as needed in combination with arm lifting techniques to give the desired outcome. Meticulous attention to detail is applied to ensure even contours and the best possible aesthetic result. This surgery will take about 1-3 hours.

Post Operative Care

Usually, two drains (one in each arm) are placed to remove the excess fluid output for a period of 1-3 days. The wounds are covered with non-stick dressings and wearing of compression garment for 4-6 weeks is advised to provide support and help skin elastic recoil. Most sutures used are absorbable and do not require removal. Mobilization after the surgery is possible and even encouraged. However strenuous physical activities and particularly heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks depending on the extent of the procedure.

This procedure can accomplish outstanding results for patients with thick upper arms or those who have lost weight and are left with sagging skin excess yielding sculpted and aesthetically appealing arms.

Results

Complementary Procedures

Many patients who are interested in an arm lift have lost significant weight. If you are one of these people you may benefit from other procedures such as a back lift, buttock lift, thigh lift, and tummy tuck. These procedures may include liposuction to help you reach your ideal aesthetic figure. The surgery details will change from person to person based on what they want to achieve, their individual anatomical features, and Dr. Dalia Tobbia’s recommendation. A “lifting surgery” will remove unnecessary skin and help you get back to your trim, toned body.

If you are interested in any of the above procedures, explore our site to learn more. When you schedule your consultation, express your interest so that Dr. Dalia Tobbia can assess whether or not these procedures will complement your arm lift.

Cost

FAQs

What is the recovery time for an arm lift?

Most people will need about one to two weeks to recover. The type of job you have will relate to your recovery. A sedentary job can be returned to much sooner than a physically demanding job. The important thing to remember throughout recovery is to rest and drink lots of water. Everyone’s recovery time will fluctuate, remember to take it easy and enjoy having time to yourself.

How long does an arm lift take?

An arm lift can take from one to three hours. Procedure times will vary based on the techniques being used and whether another area of the body is being treated as well. Dr. Dalia Tobbia will give you an estimate of your surgery time during your consultation.

How much does an arm lift cost?

The cost of an arm lift varies from patient to patient. To learn more about the costs involved and the price of your own personalized treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dalia Tobbia.

How is an arm lift done?

An arm lift is performed by applying general anesthesia and gently performing incisions along the underarm. Through this incision, unnecessary tissue will be removed and excess skin will be excised. Liposuction may be used to remove unnecessary fat stores and help you achieve your ideal arm shape. The arm will be stitched back together and bandaged after Dr. Dalia Tobbia achieves your desired appearance.

Can you get surgery to remove arm fat?

Yes! Dr. Dalia Tobbia is well experienced in surgical methods to remove excess arm skin and fat. This procedure will help your arms appear natural and slender again!