Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty)

Arm Lift Surgery, also known as Brachioplasty, is a procedure that reshapes the upper arms by reducing excess skin and in some cases fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the upper arms. If the underside of your upper arms has developed sagging, droopy skin, or appears loose and full due to excess skin and fat, an arm lift may be right for you. In general, an arm lift reduces excess skin and underlying fat that occurs between underarm area in the elbow, reshaping the arm to result in smoother skin and more normal contours. An arm lift results in a more toned and proportionate appearance and enhancing your self-confidence.

Fluctuations in weight, aging and heredity can cause changes in appearance that you might not like. Such change can occur in the upper arm results in a batwing-like appearance. Fitness may strengthen and improve underlying muscles of the upper arm but it can't address excess skin that lost elasticity or weakened tissues and localized fat deposits.

Arm lift procedure is performed to:

·         Reduce excess sagging skin that droops downward when arms are extended away from the body

·         Tighten and smooth the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm

Any localized fat in the upper arm area may be reduced through brachioplasty,  commonly in conjunction with liposuction techniques.

Surgery

An arm lift typically takes one to three hours depending on the extent of the surgery. It may involve local anesthesia with intravenous sedation – leaving you awake, but not totally aware – or general anesthesia.

Liposuction may be sufficient enough for people with smooth skin and just a small amount of flab. The more invasive total arm lift procedure may benefit people with larger areas of fat underneath the arms, poor skin quality and sun damaged skin.

To perform an upper arm lift, your plastic surgeon Dr. Emre Gönen will make incisions on the inside or back of your arm. Incisions may span from the underarm to just above the elbow. Some people may require minimal incisions from the area where the inner, upper arm joins the armpit. This is known as a "minimal incision arm lift".

After the incision is made, excess fat may be removed with liposuction. Excessive skin is then trimmed, tightened and sutured in place with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within one or two weeks of the surgery.

After Surgery

The recovery is moderately easy. The arms will be tender and usually there is mild swelling or edema in the lower arm and hand. This swelling usually resolves quickly with arm elevation. Pain medications control this tenderness and most patients stop taking pain medication during the day after two days. A compression garment is worn 4-6 weeks after the surgery. This helps re-establish the contours, decrease edema or swelling and decrease healing time while adding comfort.

·         On the first day, the patient will experience moderate discomfort.

·         Tenderness rapidly resolves on days 2-5  and the patient is able to move around very well.

·         Patients usually return to work on days 5-7.

·         At 2-3 weeks, patients start increasing activities and can return to slow progress of exercising.

·         At 6-8 weeks, patients can return to full exercise.

Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Emre Gönen,MD

Office# (+90) 212. 561 3233  Cell# (+90) 534 888 9916

Sedat Simavi Sokak No:32 Bakırköy ~ ISTANBUL ~ TR