Old age, excessive weight fluctuations, and genetics could result in your upper arms having a sagging or drooping appearance, sometimes called “bat wings”. If you have found that exercises are ineffective in correcting the issue, you may benefit from considering an arm lift surgery. Read on to learn some essential information before deciding to undergo this procedure.

What Is An Arm Lift?

Also known as brachioplasty, an arm lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to help improve upper arm definition and tone. It removes excess skin, reduces fat pockets, tightens supportive tissues, and smooths the remaining skin.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Almost anybody with sagging or drooping upper arms can benefit from this surgery, so long as you have good general health. However, you should be at your desired weight, as additional fluctuations could result in the same issue in the future.

Therefore, patients are advised to maintain a stable weight for around six months before the procedure. While many people undergo this procedure for cosmetic reasons, you can also benefit if lax upper arm skin causes discomfort, rash, inflammation, difficulties maintaining hygiene, and low self-esteem.

The Arm Lift Procedure

Your surgeon will begin this procedure by administering local or general anesthesia and making markings to guide the procedure. They then make an incision on the back or inside of your arm to make the scars less visible. The incision size depends on your procedure’s extensiveness. Excess fat and skin will be removed through excision and liposuction.  Supportive tissues will also be tightened using sutures. Finally, tubes will be inserted under the skin to drain excess fluids, and sterile gauze will be used to bandage the arm. You will also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection and a compression garment to reduce swelling.

The procedure can take around three to four hours, depending on its intensity and whether there were additional procedures. You should have someone drive you home and care for you the first days after your procedure.

What to Expect Post-Surgery And Results

Following your procedure, your surgeon will provide you with instructions and medications to promote a safe and smooth recovery. These include keeping the compression garment on for two to six weeks, using elevation pillows, changing the bandages, and avoiding strenuous activities. You might experience swelling and bruising, which will disappear after a few weeks. Contact your surgeon immediately if you notice severe pain, dehydration, fever, numbness, excessive bleeding, and fluid buildup.

While you will notice a change in the size and shape of your arm immediately after the surgery, you will see the final results three to six months after all the swelling goes down.

Book Your Consultation Today

At J.Sweat Plastic Surgery, we strive to help clients feel more confident in their skin. In addition to delivering high-quality and safe results, we educate clients on the benefits and risks of their surgeries to help them make informed decisions. Contact us to experience personalized treatments and attention to detail from our highly-trained team.