Arm Lift

Arm Lift New Jersey (Brachioplasty)

Weight loss and the effects of aging can cause the skin and ligaments of your upper arms to droop. Lifting weights often is not enough to eliminate the drooping, especially if there is excess skin. An arm lift (or brachioplasty) can tighten your upper arms and restore them to a more youthful appearance.

In mild cases, removing fat through liposuction may be all you need to tighten and sculpt your upper arms. If you have excessive drooping, however, you might need an arm lift to remove the excess skin and tighten your upper arms. In some cases, a combination of liposuction and brachioplasty removes both excess fat and skin and achieves the best results.

If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight (10 or more pounds) you should postpone surgery until you have achieved a healthy weight for your height; otherwise, additional weight loss can loosen the skin in your upper arms again.

Your Consultation

A consultation for an arm lift includes a thorough discussion of your desires, expectations, and concerns. Your surgeon will review your medical history and carefully examine your arms. He or she will take pictures of your arms and tell you what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.

The Procedure

Arm lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. The surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours.

The arm lift procedure involves an incision on the inside or back of the arm between the elbow and armpit. The length of the incision depends on the amount of tissue that must be removed. Most often, liposuction is used to remove excess fat in the upper arms. Underlying support tissue is then tightened and reshaped with internal stitches before the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm. The external incision is either closed with dissolvable stitches or stitches that will be removed in 1 to 2 weeks.

Recovery and Results

You will receive thorough written instructions to prepare for and recover from your procedure. The instructions will include ways to prevent infection and when to follow up with your surgeon.

Most patients can go home a few hours after the surgery. Dressings will be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in elastic bandages or compression garments to minimize swelling. Your surgeon will tell you how and when to change your dressings. A small, thin tube also may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. If you have stitches that do not dissolve, you will return to Summit Medical Group 7 to 14 days after your surgery to have them removed.

Although arm lift surgery leaves scars on the inside or back of your upper arms, the scars usually fade over time. Most patients report some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort for several days to a week after the procedure. You can take oral over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage any pain you experience.

You should be able to return to work and your daily activities within 2 weeks; however, you must avoid strenuous activities for a few more weeks.

You will be able to see the smoother, tighter contours of your upper arms immediately after surgery. You may not be able to see the final results for several weeks, however, when the swelling and bruising resolves.

The results of arm lift surgery are long  lasting if you maintain a stable weight and level of fitness. While the natural effects of aging and gravity may cause your upper arms to lose some firmness over time, your arms will probably never sag as they did before surgery. Regular exercise and a steady weight will help to keep your arms from sagging again.

Call Summit Medical Group today at 908-277-8759 to make an appointment or for more information about how an arm lift can tighten your upper arms and restore a more youthful appearance.