What is an arm lift?
An arm lift or brachioplasty is designed to remove loose skin and excessive fat from the upper arm caused by a build up of fatty deposits and a lost of elasticity.

In minor cases liposuction is the only procedure required, in others patients may undergo surgery. Your surgeon will advise you on which procedure is the most appropriate for you.

If you choose surgery you must be aware that you will have scars afterwards. This obviously depends on the extent of the operation, but following major surgery they may stretch from the armpit to the elbow along the inside of the arm.

Realistic expectations
You must have realistic expectations about what brachioplasty can achieve for you. It will not change your personality or make people treat you differently. Everyone is individual and surgery will not transform you into someone else. It is critical that you spend time thinking about what you want to achieve and talk about your hopes with your surgeon.

What happens during consultation?
The surgeon will need to know why you want the procedure to gain a complete understanding of what you want to achieve. It is important that you are completely honest.

The surgeon will discuss your medical history, examine the fatty deposits in your upper arm area and assess your skin’s elasticity. The consultation will focus on the extent of the operation required and whether you need surgery or liposuction.

Getting the most out of your consultancy
Often in cases where clients are unhappy with the results of surgery it is because they did not discuss their expectations thoroughly or were afraid to talk about the outcome or risks.

You have to make an informed decision before signing the consent form so ask plenty of questions. You want to feel relaxed, confident and completely understand what will happen during surgery.

You may want to know:

• About the surgeon’s qualifications.
• How many operations of your procedure are carried out each year.
• How you prepare for the surgery.
• What realistic results can be expected and when.
• How long the results will last.
• About side-effects and possible complications.
• How long it will take to recover.
• About the extent of scarring and how it will change in time.
• What happens if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for surgery

• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic and food oils a least a week before surgery as they can cause excessive bleeding.
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before general anaesthetic (if you require this).
• The surgeon and anaesthetist need to know your medical history and if you are on any medication.
• You will be advised of any health checks or X-rays required before your procedure.
• Prior to the procedure you will meet your surgeon who will assess and discuss your queries.
• Try and give up smoking a couple of weeks before your procedure as it interferes with healing processes.
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun before surgery.

What happens during surgery?
This depends on the type of procedure you require, whether surgery or liposuction (see our liposuction link). You may be placed under general or local anaesthesia.

In cases of surgery an incision is made in the upper arm and depending on the extent of the procedure may be either in the armpit or along the inside of the arm. It is important to discuss this with your surgeon.

Once the incision is made the excessive fatty deposits are removed (often by liposuction) and the arm ligaments surgically tightened to provide internal support. The excess skin is then removed and the incision stitched. Dressings are then applied.

After surgery

• Depending on the extent of your surgery you will be in a recovery room for a few hours or a day being cared for by nursing staff.
• Your surgeon will visit and advise when you can leave.
• After the surgery it is likely that you will experience some pain and discomfort
• You will be advised on how to shower and change your dressings. In some cases you may need to wear a support garment.
• You should not drive for two days after anaesthetic.
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic, food oils and smoking. All of these can interfere with the body’s healing processes.

Road to recovery

• Continue taking painkillers if you need them.
• Depending on the surgeon’s advice, elastic dressings or bandages may have to be worn for some time.
• If the surgeon recommends that you take medication such as antibiotics, make sure you complete the course.
• Your treated area is likely to feel sore during the first couple of weeks, so take it easy and get plenty of rest.
• The surgeon will advise you of when you can return to physical activity and work
• Your arm is likely to appear swollen at first and you are likely to feel some discomfort.
• You must contact your surgeon if you suffer from an abnormally high temperature, severe pain that is not treated with Paracetemol or if you experience severe bleeding.
• If you are in doubt about any of the post operative effects speak to your surgeon.
• Mild exercise will accelerate your healing processes and help reduce swelling.
• Your scars may look worse during the first months as they continue to heal.
• The scars will never disappear completely. However, they will not show under most items of clothing.
• To maintain your new look it is vital that you eat sensibly and enjoy regular exercise.

All surgery carries an element of risk
Most people believe that the benefits of arm lift surgery far outweigh the risk. However before you sign the surgery consent form you should be aware of possible complications and side effects.

Complications associated with any type of surgery include problems healing, the danger of infection and the potential formation of clots that may be life-threatening. Excessive bleeding or bleeding under the skin, known as a haematoma, could require a return visit to the surgery. Some patients may also have an allergic reaction to anaesthesia. In a minority of cases there could be a problem with fluid loss or an excessive build up of fluid that needs to be drained.

Deciding on an arm lift
It is important that you take your time to make an informed decision about surgery. Complications are extremely rare as this is a very common operation, however you must consider any potential outcome.

• This surgery is not suitable after a mastecotomy or an operation that may have taken place in the lymph nodes.
• There may be some risk of a lack of symmetry in the arms.
• After a successful operation you may feel sick due to the anaesthetic (if it was required) and bruises formed by the procedure may take several weeks to heal.
• There will definitely be scars left by the incisions, but these will be located in ‘hidden’ areas.

Complications are rare and depend greatly on individual circumstances such as a person’s health and skin type or the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will be able to explain how the risks apply in your circumstances.