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Also known as a brachioplasty,
an arm lift removes excess and tightens loose skin
in the upper arms.
What do you want to change?
Women whose upper arms droop with excess skin
and fat and who want a firm, natural upper arm again
will find great satisfaction in having this procedure
despite the lengthy scars it sometimes results in.
They find the results are particularly long lasting.
Women who have had a mastectomy
are not suitable candidates for an arm lift if the
lymph glands are damaged as further surgery can
lead to complications. Patients with other physical
conditions of the armpit or glands may not be good
candidates for this surgery.
Procedure
Dr. Chartchai will likely remove the skin in
an elliptical or triangular shape, with incisions
on the inner surface of the arm, most often in a
zigzag line. Often some fat is suctioned at the
same time. The surgical opening may run from the
armpit to as low as the elbow.
While the excess skin and fat
is removed, the remaining skin is stretched and
sutured into place. Occasionally a drain is used
to lead excess fluids from the site of incision.
Recovery time
After the procedure your arms will be placed
in a special compression garment to help the newly-sculpted
skin adhere to the tissue underneath. You will probably
have several layers of stitches on the upper arm.
Some of the stitches will be absorbable, and some
will have to be removed by Dr. Chartchai a few days
after your surgery during a follow-up visit.
For the first week following
surgery, you must avoid strenuous activity, including
bending and lifting. Swelling is mild to moderate,
and peaks in 2-3 days.
You'll probably be able to return
to work in a week, and resume exercise within 2
weeks. Strenuous workouts and contact sports can
be engaged in after about 4 weeks.
Possible complications
The most common risks associated with this type
of surgery include, but are not limited to, excessive
bleeding, infection, visible scarring, possible
asymmetry or irregularities, and possible changes
in nerve sensation.
An arm lift procedure does not
affect muscle tone.
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