Upper Arm Lift

When it comes to flabby arms, dieting and exercise may not improve them much. That's because certain fatty areas are resistant due to genetic tendencies. Even if you do manage to rid yourself of excess fat in the arms, the problem of loose skin persists.

An upper arm lift can dramatically reshape your arm to bring it back in proportion to the rest of your body. If you have loose, hanging flesh mainly because of fat in your arms, then an upper arm lift could be the right thing for you.

The procedure is also known as brachioplasty, and is intended to tighten the hanging skin in the upper arms. Ideal patients should have healthy, elastic skin.

The surgery is typically done by a surgeon as an outpatient procedure that is done under local or general anesthesia. In order to remove the unwanted skin, an incision is made that runs from near the elbow into the armpit. The incision is placed in the most inconspicuous location (inner arm toward the back), but some scarring will always be visible.

Upper Arm Lift Procedure

The first step as in any plastic surgery procedure is to have realistic expectations. You can hope for an improvement of your current situation, not perfection. Most patients experience a boost in self-esteem and generally feel more confident in their daily activities. If your arms really bother you that much, then it's definitely time to go ahead.

The surgery is an outpatient procedure requiring only local anesthesia but in some cases, general anesthesia may be required. The whole operation takes about an hour per arm. The surgeon makes incisions along the inner area of the upper arm. The shape of the incision is usually elliptical or triangular. The space contained between the incisions is exactly the amount of skin that will be removed. Removal of the skin allows for tighter skin and a more compact arm.

An upper arm lift is usually combined with liposuction. With liposuction, the surgeon will be able to remove more fat easily. Once complete, the surgeon will suture the skin together and possibly add a drainage tube that can be removed in a few days.