Nobody likes it when we have loose skin hanging from our arms. It can cause some insecurity and a fear of wearing sleeveless dresses and tops. Although this loose skin can be the cause of several different factors, thankfully, there is a solution. Brachioplasty is a common procedure used to remove loose skin and fat in the arms.

What is Brachioplasty?

Overtime, our arms can lose elasticity creating a sagging or droopy appearance. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and, fortunately, there is a solution. Brachioplasty, otherwise known as an arm lift, is a body contouring procedure involving the removal of loose skin and excess fat in the arm.  Fluctuations in weight and age can play a role in how our bodies look and feel, and Dr. White loves helping people feel their best.

Candidates 

If you have significant upper arm skin laxity and are at a relatively stable weight, then you may be a good candidate for arm lift surgery. It’s ideal that the loose skin contains a minimal amount of fat, which can be an effect of recent weight loss. For optimum results, it’s encouraged that the patient achieve their ideal weight before doing the procedure. This will help Dr. White give results that best matches the rest of the patient’s body. 

Procedure

An arm lift will require an incision to be made on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm depending on the amount of excess skin to be removed. If there is still excess fat, you can have liposuction to treat the area in order to have a firm and improved appearance. Incisions will vary depending on each patient and the amount of skin or fat that is necessary to remove. Incisions will either be closed with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within one to two weeks following your arm lift procedure. Dr. White wants to ensure the patient will be comfortable during the procedure as they will be administered general anesthesia. Most procedures take one to three hours to complete, and can vary from patient to patient. For safety concerns, make sure you plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.

Recovery

After we’ve said goodbye to those droopy arms, it’s time to give your body some time to heal. Your arm may need dressings or bandages to be applied to the incisions. An elastic bandage or compression garment may also be needed to be wrapped around the arm to minimize swelling following surgery. A thin tube may be placed in the arm to drain any excess fluid or blood. Dr. White wants to ensure the patient has a smooth recovery and will give the patient specific instructions as to how to properly take care of the surgical site and how to take any medications. The patient can expect a few weeks of downtime before they are able to get back to their usual routine. It usually takes approximately six weeks for the patient to fully recover. Contact Dr. White anytime if any question or concerns arise after the surgery.