Arm Lift
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a body sculpting surgery that removes excess skin from the arms. Oftentimes, patients who have undergone significant weight loss can be left with residual skin hanging from the arms, colloquially known as “bat wings”. This excess skin can make it difficult for patients to fit into clothes properly, leading to dissatisfaction and even discomfort. To help resolve this issue, plastic surgeons can make the arms appear more toned and youthful by reducing the appearance of sagging skin.
At Austin Plastic Surgeon, we have a team of talented surgeons ready to help you rejuvenate the appearance of your arms. If you are interested in this kind of procedure, you can attend an initial consultation where you can learn more about whether it is right for you. Please give us a call or fill out our online contact form for more information.
Visit our blog for more information about the other treatments we offer at Austin Plastic Surgeon.
Contents
About Arm Lifts
An arm lift can help patients move on from bothersome excess arm tissue. Whether they experience self-consciousness or discomfort from arms that are burdened with excess skin alone, or whether they experience stubborn fast deposits, too, an arm lift can help them achieve smoother, tighter skin that makes the arms look more proportional to the overall figure.
Patients who have stubborn excess fat in their arms may find that it is challenging to reduce the appearance of these deposits, even when adhering to a consistent exercise regimen and healthy dieting habits. Similarly, loose, hanging skin is also difficult to address using these methods. To achieve enhanced, contoured arms, professionals at Austin Plastic Surgeon can use a combination of liposuction and skin excision techniques. In some cases, an arm lift can even extend to address the axilla, which is the region where the upper arm meets the shoulder; sagging skin can affect the appearance of this area as well. (1)
The best approach to an arm lift depends on many factors, such as the elasticity of the patient’s skin and the amount of excess tissues that are present. (2) Our team at Austin Plastic Surgeon is dedicated to providing patients with an individualized process that culminates in a unique treatment plan and effective results.
Benefits
For patients with excessive, sagging arm skin, an arm lift can have many benefits. An arm lift can:
- Define the arms
- Enhance areas of the upper back
- Reduce stubborn fat pockets
- Reduce hanging skin
- Make patients feel more confident
- Make clothes fit better
- Give the arms a more toned, youthful appearance
Candidates
If you have an excessive amount of arm skin that hangs in a way that you find unattractive, you may be a great candidate for an arm lift. Arm lift candidates may experience this sagging skin as a result of the natural processes of aging, or if they have undergone substantial weight loss. Candidates may have also experienced weight loss after a pregnancy, or have stubborn fat deposits that will not go away after dieting and exercise. Candidates may not only find this excess skin and fat aesthetically unappealing, but they may also have difficulty finding clothing that fits the arms in a flattering way.
At Austin Plastic Surgeon, we let all arm lift candidates know that they should be at or near their ideal weight, and have had a stable weight for at least 6 months. There are some diseases and conditions that may impact a patient’s candidacy for an arm lift, including having a history of radiotherapy, lymphatic swelling, and narrow arteries. (1) If you are unsure about whether or not you are a candidate for an arm lift, our knowledgeable staff can help you determine a treatment plan after an extensive evaluation at a personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
The first step toward improving the appearance of your arms is a personal consultation at Austin Plastic Surgeon. We offer consultations at any of our three locations in Austin, San Antonio, and West Lake Hills. We will provide you with important information regarding preparation guidelines, procedural steps, and how to optimize your recovery. Feeling more confident in your body and clothes is possible with an arm lift. If you would like to enhance your look by removing excess skin, call the office nearest to you to set up a personal consultation today.
Preparation
Our staff at Austin Plastic Surgeon will make sure that you are comfortable and well-informed before your arm lift. There are some things we will recommend that you do before your surgery. These steps may include:
- Lab Testing: To ensure that you are healthy and ready to go into an arm lift procedure, your plastic surgeon may request that you get lab tests. It is important to complete these tests well before your procedure date, as your plastic surgeon will be reviewing them in order to prepare your procedural plan.
- Adjust Your Medications: Depending on what medications you take, our team may advise you to alter your regimen so that they do not interfere with your procedure. We will also advise that you cease all consumption of medications that have blood-thinning qualities. This includes some vitamins and supplements as well.
- Stop Smoking: If you smoke or consume nicotine products, we will let you know that you will need to halt these activities for several weeks before your procedure. Smoking can affect the body’s ability to heal after surgery.
- Arrange Transportation: After your surgery, it is imperative that you give your body ample time to rest and recover. You will not be able to drive home from your surgery, so you will need someone you trust to provide you with transportation.
- Request Time Off: You will need to take at least 2 weeks off of work, and possibly longer if your job requires any heavy lifting or physical activity. To avoid any unnecessary stress, you should do this ahead of time. (1)
Procedure
The exact procedure for an arm lift is customizable for each patient. However, all patients will require general anesthesia. Our surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon will begin by making markings and outlining the excess skin that needs to be removed. After our Austin Plastic Surgeon team administers the anesthesia for your comfort, your plastic surgeon will re-check the guiding marks that will indicate where the excess tissue and skin will be removed. (2)
Incisions can be made along the back of the arm or on the inside of the arm. The length of the incision varies depending on the amount of skin and fat tissue that needs to be removed. There are different techniques your plastic surgeon can use to carry out an arm lift; the technique that is most effective for you may not be the most effective for someone else. If a patient presents with excessive stubborn fat deposits in the arms, the plastic surgeon may begin the procedure with liposuction.
During liposuction, we can remove precise amounts of fat with specialized suction tubes called cannulas. Liposuction can help contour the arms before the plastic surgeon moves on to the excess tissue removal stage.
Once your plastic surgeon has removed the targeted amount of tissue, they will close the incisions in multiple layers to help optimize the healing process. (1) They will then repeat this procedure on the other arm.
Recovery
Bandaging and supportive garments will help with the swelling. Elevating the arms while resting can minimize swelling as well. Your Austin Plastic Surgeon professional will advise against strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks after your procedure. This includes driving or any other activities that heavily rely on the use of the arms. (1) You will have to return to our office for follow-up appointments so that our team can evaluate your healing progress and results. It may be several months before your arms reach their final results, but this length of time varies across different patient experiences. After the initial healing process is complete, our staff can recommend products you can use to help minimize visible scarring.
Results
An arm lift can leave patients feeling empowered and complete as for many of our patients this is a completion point of their weight loss journey. When patients have undergone significant weight loss, they may be able to more fully enjoy their results without sagging skin causing difficulties like ill-fitting clothing or chafing.
Subsequent weight loss or weight gain can alter the results of an arm lift. Patients who experience recurring loose skin in their arms may want to seek a revision procedure to maintain their results. (2) Patients can also help maintain their results by exercising regularly, especially participating in exercises that target the arm muscles. Furthermore, continuing to eat a healthy diet can help regulate a patient’s weight, even after they have already lost a significant amount of weight before their procedure.
Cost of an Arm Lift in Austin
Like other body contouring procedures, the cost of an arm lift will vary depending on the degree of sagging or stubborn fat deposits that characterize the arms. For your convenience, we have listed many of our plastic surgery pricing estimates for different procedures on our website. However, to determine the exact cost of your arm lift, you will need to come to our office for a personal consultation. To schedule this appointment, please call the location that is most convenient for you:
You may also inquire about pricing through Austin Plastic Surgeon’s contact form.
References
- Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/
- Egrari S. Brachioplasty: A Personal Approach. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2016;36(2):193-203. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv146
