An arm lift is a surgical procedure that:

• Reduces excess loose skin that droops downwards.
• Tightens and evens out the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm.
• Reduces localised pockets of fat in the upper arm area.

Fluctuations in weight, age, and heredity can cause your upper arms to develop a sagging appearance. This cannot be corrected through exercise.

An arm lift may be right for you if the underside of your upper arms hangs or appears loose and full due to excess skin and fat.

Who is a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

Candidates for an arm lift generally include:

• Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity.
• Adults of all ages whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweight.
• Healthy patients without medical conditions that impair healing or increase the risk of surgery.
• Non-smokers.
• Patients with a positive outlook and realistic expectations.

What Can I Expect During a Consultation for an Arm Lift?

During the consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals.
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments.
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.
• Previous surgeries.

Your surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors.
• Discuss your options.
• Discuss the likely outcomes of arm lift surgery and any risks or potential complications.

Questions to Ask Your Plastic Surgeon About Arm Lift

Prepare for the consultation by:

• Writing down all your symptoms with a timeline, medications, and health history, so you can systematically talk about your issues.
• Writing a list of your questions.
• Informing about your health and any health problems.
• Asking questions and demanding answers.
• Reading your medical records and bringing a copy or asking for access to them.
• Bringing a friend for support.

Suggested questions to ask:

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What is expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long can I expect the recovery period to be, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my arms to look over time?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my arm lift?
• Do you have before-and-after photos that I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Make sure to ask specific questions to your plastic surgeon about what you can expect during your recovery.

• Where will I be taken after my operation is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after the operation?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after the operation?
• When will they be removed?
• When will the stitches be removed?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When should I come for a follow-up visit?

What are the Risks of an Arm Lift?

Deciding to undergo plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you must decide if the benefits, risks, and potential complications of an arm lift are acceptable.

Risks of an arm lift include:

• Risks of anaesthesia.
• Bleeding.
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and muscles.
• Fat tissue under the skin may die (fat necrosis).
• Fluid accumulation (seroma).
• Infection.
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation.
• Pain, which may persist.
• Poor wound healing.
• Possible need for revisional surgery.
• Sutures may not absorb but spontaneously will come through the skin, causing irritation, drainage, and redness.
• Unsightly scarring.

It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

How Should I Prepare for an Arm Lift?

When preparing for an arm lift, you may be asked to:

• Take tests or undergo a medical evaluation.
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

When you book your operation, you will receive written instructions with detailed information about timing, our payment terms, and how to prepare.

You should arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after the operation and stay with you the first night.

Arm Lift – How is it Done?

An arm lift includes the following steps:

Step 1 – Anaesthesia
Medication is administered for your comfort during the arm lift surgery. Choices include intravenous sedation and general anaesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The Incision

The length and pattern of the incision during arm lift surgery depend on the amount and location of the excess skin to be removed, as well as the best judgement of your plastic surgeon.

Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm, depending on the surgeon’s preference, and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow. Excess fat can be directly excised or treated with liposuction.

Depending on your specific condition, the incisions may be more limited. Then, the underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour of the arm.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

Your incisions will be closed either with absorbable sutures or with stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks after the arm lift.

Step 4 – See the Results

The smoother, tighter contours that result from brachioplasty are apparent almost immediately after your procedure, although there will likely be swelling and bruising.

What Can I Expect After an Arm Lift? During your recovery from arm lift surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimise swelling after the operation.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.

You will receive specific instructions on how to care for:

• The surgical site and any drains
• A pain relief schedule with instructions on how to take pain medication to avoid breakthrough pain
• Specific issues to be aware of
• Time for follow-up visits

What Results Can I Expect After an Arm Lift? The softer, tighter contours that are the result of an arm lift are apparent almost immediately after your procedure. The initial results will be obscured by swelling and bruising, and a scar will remain where the incision was made.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and an additional operation may be necessary.

The results of arm lift surgery will be long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

Following your surgeon’s instructions is crucial for the success of your surgery.

It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the healing period. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to take care of yourself.