Arm Lift

People that have excess skin in the region of their upper arms may have a problem with wearing certain style clothing or they may not feel truly confident about how they look. Sleeveless shirts are often banned from one’s wardrobe, and some people avoid short sleeve shirts entirely. Moreover, men that are not confident about their upper arm region may not want to remove their shirts because it makes them feel self-conscious. There is a remedy for such a problem referred to as an arm lift that can help people restore their confidence and body image. Arm lifts are a plastic surgery procedure that help one to improve the appearance of their upper arm region.

The natural process of aging can have a baneful affect on our overall appearance. Unfortunately, gravity is not a friend, and as the years pass, people often find that their skin tone changes. In some cases the changes are mild, in others they are extreme: resulting in excess skin, particularly in the region of the arms. That’s where a brachioplasty, also referred to as an arm lift can repair the damage from the natural aging process. An arm lift is a procedure conducted by a qualified plastic surgeon: the procedure involves the removal of unwanted excess skin.

In some cases the extra flesh that appears beneath the upper arm is the result of dramatic weight loss. When a person is heavy the skin stretches. The unfortunate result of dramatic weight loss is that the skin remains stretched and the patient is then forced to deal with excess skin. Again, an arm lift performed by a professional cosmetic surgeon can remedy the situation.

While an arm lift is a major surgical procedure, it is a procedure that can be done on an out patient basis under general anesthesia. Some procedures require that liposuction be performed on the patient to rid the upper arm region of excess fat deposits, while other procedures are more extensive, requiring the removal of the excess skin. Recovery time from an arm lift procedure will depend on the patient’s needs and is different for every patient.

The end result of an arm lift procedure is a smoother, more contoured, healthier appearance in the region of the upper arm. Some scarring is to be expected, but the surgeon will ensure that scarring is minimal. Finally, the patient will look better and they feel better about themselves.

Any individual that is deemed healthy enough to undergo the arm lift procedure can have the procedure successfully performed: those individuals that have lost a lot of weight or those individuals that have excess skin due to aging can have an arm lift performed. The patient must be deemed healthy before the arm lift procedure because a patient’s health will directly affect the healing process after an arm lift.

The patient must be healthy before the procedure is conducted. In general, the patient will have to seek out a qualified cosmetic surgeon to perform the operation and they will have to set up an initial consultation with the professional. At the initial consultation, the patient’s needs will be assessed, a full medical history will be requested, and if the patient qualifies for the procedure the doctor will schedule the surgery.

Guidelines are given to the patient to follow both before and after the procedure and the patient should follow such instructions explicitly. The guidelines a patient will receive will not only instruct them about the preoperative measures they must take, but they will also instruct the patient about recovery time and what they can expect before and after an arm lift procedure.

Only a qualified cosmetic surgeon can really decide if an arm lift is appropriate for a patient. In some cases only liposuction is required, while in other cases the more extensive procedure will have to be performed. The initial consultation is an excellent time for the patient to familiarize themselves with the cosmetic surgeon as well as to address any questions or concerns they may have about the arm lift procedure. The first visit is the time where the patient is basically advised about the costs, the payments required, the surgery, where the surgery will be performed and how long it will take to recover.

There is a specific amount of planning involved in getting an arm lift. Of course, the planning begins long before the initial consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. In fact, the patient should begin researching everything they can about arm lifts ahead of time. If the patient familiarizes themselves with the procedure, how it is performed, the typical costs, and the frequently asked questions, they can enter into the initial consultation with the cosmetic surgeon with a good sense of what is going on and strong sense of what to expect.

Next, the patient will need to seek out a surgeon they are comfortable with: this is one of the most important steps the patient takes. In general, it is advisable that the patient have more than one initial consultation: seeking out a second opinion is always advisable. It is imperative that the patient feel comfortable talking to and working with the cosmetic surgeon. Finally, the patient will also want to double check on the surgeon’s qualifications: a patient should verify if the surgeon is certified.

The initial consultation with the cosmetic surgeon will be the time to talk about a patient’s individualized treatment plan. A medical history will have to be provided by the patient and a full physical will be performed. The cosmetic surgeon will assess the issue with the patient’s upper arm region to determine what measures are necessary. When the patient is at the initial consultation, good communication with the cosmetic surgeon is essential: not only will the patient have to deal with the doctor before and during the arm lift procedure, they will have to deal with the cosmetic surgeon for a number of follow-up visits as well. If there is any level of discomfort with the cosmetic surgeon, the patient should seek out someone they are more comfortable with.

Approximately 14 to 21 days before a patient has an arm lift procedure performed, they will need to have a preoperative visit with the cosmetic surgeon. The preoperative visit will assess the patient’s health at the time to ensure that they are healthy enough to undergo the arm lift procedure. At that time, the patient may also be requested to sign any release forms and they will also be ordered (if they have not been already) to stop taking any medications that may interfere with the procedure or successful recovery. If any questions remain from the initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, the preoperative visit is the time to ask unanswered questions about the arm lift procedure and its outcome.

If the cosmetic surgeon did not take pictures of the patient’s upper arms at the initial consultation, the preoperative visit may involve having the regions photographed; this is done so that the patient can see the difference before and after the arm lift procedure. Meanwhile, if not instructed about the specifics in the initial consultation, the cosmetic surgeon will provide the patient with guidelines. Further, the patient will find out what time to arrive for the procedure, what they should wear, how long they can expect the procedure to take and what they can or cannot bring to the location the day of the procedure.

During the preoperative examination the cosmetic surgeon will give the patient detailed instructions about what to eat and drink and when to stop eating drinking: the procedure may require that the patient have a relatively empty stomach. The patient will also be advised about any kinds of medications they can expect to receive after the procedure for pain or to reduce complications that could result from infection. Finally, all patients that receive an arm lift are advised to have a driver on the day of the procedure: the patient will receive a general anesthesia and will not be able to drive for the day.

On the day that the arm lift procedure is schedule it is very important that the patient arrives on time for the procedure. The plastic surgeon may have more than one arm lift procedure or other procedures scheduled for that day. Also, the patient may be required to take medication that takes time to get into the system before the arm lift procedure can be performed. The patient will be checked again to ensure maximum health and they will have an examination by a qualified anesthesiologist. The type of anesthesia given depends on the doctor—some individuals get general anesthesia while others are mildly sedated. Once the patient is checked, anesthesia is given and the arm lift procedure begins.

The full arm lift procedure requires that an incision is placed on the inside of the upper arm region. The incision is made from the inside of the armpit to just above the elbow area. The incision is then separated from the inner tissues; the muscle tissue is then restructured, tightened so that the upper arm will have a firmer contour. Once the muscle has been successfully tightened, if liposuction is required it will be performed. Once the liposuction is complete, the cosmetic surgeon will then remove the excess skin that is present.

The partial arm lift procedure differs a bit from the full arm lift procedure, as the incision that the cosmetic surgeon makes is slightly smaller. The incision in a partial arm lift will not necessarily extend to the elbow. A partial arm lift is performed on patients that do not have extensive excess skin.

Depending upon the patient and the cosmetic surgeon, the entire arm lift procedure can take anywhere from one to three hours. For the most part, arm lift procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. The patient will spend a few hours in recovery and then the will be released and sent home with a driver. Again, the anesthesia will prevent the patient from being able to drive for the day.

A patient that undergoes an arm lift procedure can expect swelling in the upper arm region and tenderness where the incision is made. It will take a period of time before a patient is fully capable of returning to normal everyday activities. The patient is required to wear a compress garment on the affected area to keep swelling to a minimum. The compress garment will have to be worn for approximately 14 days. The patient will also be expected to see the doctor after the arm lift procedure for a follow up visit which will entail the cosmetic surgeon’s assessment on the sutured areas.

Scarring that results from the arm lift surgery can take 60 to 90 days to show signs of fading. While the scars will never completely fade, they will immensely improve in appearance in about a year to a year and a half’s time. In order to ensure that the scars heal properly, the patient will need to avoid excess sun exposure for that period of time.

The patient can expect some discomfort after an arm lift procedure. The cosmetic surgeon will prescribe pain medication to relieve the discomfort. The discomfort will diminish as the area begins to heal and comfort levels should return to normal in about two weeks. This does not mean that swelling will not be present, but as time passes, the initial discomfort subsides. Essentially, the amount of discomfort will parallel the amount of excess skin removed. Finally, the patient may require the assistance of another for few days after the procedure—the arms may be to tender to move around with relative freedom.

Recovery time from an arm lift procedure varies from one patient to another. Patients that are at maximum health often heal faster than those that have prior health issues. It is advised that the patient quit smoking before an arm lift procedure as smoking can hinder one’s ability to heal properly.

Due to the fact that an arm lift procedure is considered major surgery, there are risks associated with the procedure. Risks are minimized if the patient follows the cosmetic surgeon’s instructions explicitly. Risks are further minimized if the patient follows through with follow up check ups with the physician. One of the concerns a patient may be faced with is infection of the upper arm region. The cosmetic surgeon can prescribe an antibiotic if an infection develops.

Improper healing can result if the patient engages in strenuous activity or if the patient doesn’t follow the doctor’s orders. It is important for the patient to take some time to relax and take it easy. It is important that the patient give due consideration to the fact that they have undergone a major surgical procedure and that it takes time to recover.

Patients should thoroughly discuss the risks associated with an arm lift procedure before they undergo surgery. The cosmetic surgeon can advise the patient what to look for in terms of risks. If the patient suspects that they have an infection, if they have excessive pain or if they note unusual drainage from the area, they should contact the physician immediately.

Selecting a cosmetic surgeon is probably the most important step a patient can take. The ASPS is a good place to look for a qualified physician to conduct an arm lift procedure. The ASPS is the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—all of it’s members are guaranteed certified to perform the type of surgery the patient is interested in.

Cosmetic surgeons often offer websites that detail their procedures, what each procedure entails and the policies of their office. Reviewing one or more websites is highly recommended. After finding a cosmetic surgeon the patient is interested in, they can then set up an initial consultation. Further, such websites are often informative about how long procedures take, where they are conducted and they give clear indication as to what the patient can expect both before and after an arm lift procedure.

If the patient is not comfortable with the surgeon at the initial consultation then it is time to seek out another professional. The patient should be able to feel free to ask questions and to speak freely about their concerns. Questions should be addressed at the initial consultation—if not, the patient would benefit from working with someone willing to openly communicate with them about the arm lift procedure.

The cost of an arm lift procedure varies from one patient to another and from one cosmetic surgeon to another. The extent of the work necessary factors into the cost of the arm lift procedure. The cost of an arm lift procedure can fall between 3,000 to 8,500 dollars. Given the wide range of costs associated with an arm lift procedure, it is important for the patient to be clear on the cost at the initial consultation.

Insurance does not cover the cost of an arm lift procedure because an arm lift procedure is considered a cosmetic venture, not a procedure that is necessary to maintain general health. Thus, the patient will be required to pay all of the charges associated with an arm lift procedure. Moreover, the bill will have to be paid in full before the procedure is done.

Some cosmetic surgeons allow for financing and work with certain financing agencies. A patient can apply and if credit qualified, can get a loan to pay for the arm lift procedure. The patient can then make monthly payments until the balance of the loan is paid. Of course, financing involves interest on the principle of the loan—the patient will have to financially plan accordingly. Otherwise, the patient will have to come up with the money before they can have the arm lift performed.