Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

What Happens during Surgery?

Arm lift surgery takes around two hours and is carried out under general anesthetic.  It requires a night or two’s stay in hospital so you can be monitored and any fluids drained from the wound. 

The exact positioning of incisions depends on the extent and amount of skin and underlying fatty tissue to remove.  Mostly, incisions are made underneath the arm and are therefore less visible.  The incision shape can be zig-zag which aids healing, or curved (‘smile-shaped’).  If a large area is worked on, the incision may need to run from elbow to armpit. 

The surgeon works to remove fat, often using liposuction, and cuts away excess skin.  The skin is then stretched and contoured into its new shape and sutured in place.  Your arm is dressed and then covered in firm support bandages to alleviate swelling and pain and help prevent any blood clots.  You will have drainage tubes to remove any fluid build up in the wound.  These are usually removed within a day or two. 

Alternative procedures

It may be that you only need liposuction to remove upper arm fat.

Recovery / Convalescence

In the mid to long term, your arm lift operation will reveal a much firmer, sleeker, and toned appearance to your upper arms.  Most people undergoing arm lifts are heartened by the results and may have the added benefit of renewed self confidence as a result of their surgery.  

If you avoid weight fluctuations and remain in generally good health, then there is every likelihood that your arm lift surgery, although a fairly major operation, will prove worthwhile and give you the desired results for years to come. 

However, you may have to be patient and wait some weeks or even months to see the full results of your surgery as your arm skin adjusts to new contours and immediate swelling and pain subside.

What to expect immediately

You will probably require a one- or possibly two-night stay in hospital and you will experience quite some pain at first as well as swelling and bruising.  Your upper arms will be dressed with gauze and you may have had drains inserted to remove any build up of fluids.  These are generally removed around five days to a week after surgery, while stitches are removed within two weeks.   The gauze may be replaced at this stage with a light support bandage which you will need to wear for around three weeks. 

You will be advised to walk around to help stimulate your circulation and thereby reduce the risk of blood clots.  Your post-operative instructions will advise no lifting or straining until your arms are sufficiently healed. 

You will be advised to convalesce for up to three weeks, so plan in advance and prepare by informing friends, family and work colleagues.  You may well need home care post-op, so ensure you have reliable assistance close at hand as you convalesce.

Long-term care

Scars will be prominent at first, and even worsen for anything up to six months before they fade to acceptable levels at around a year.  Again, this is normal with arm lift surgery.  You should find the scars are less visible than you think. 

You should not resume more strenuous levels of exercise for quite some time; at least not before six weeks after your operation.  Mild and normal activity levels are generally possible within two to three weeks.  The rate at which you recover depends on your general health and the type of surgery you underwent.  Always seek advice from your surgeon to clarify your particular situation. If you experience long-term pain and swelling or have any abnormal symptoms or side effects, you must contact your surgeon.

Safety

Arm lift surgery is very common and rarely associated with serious risks and complications.  But, as with all cosmetic surgery, there are risks from the surgery itself.  Arm lift surgery is a fairly major operation and you will have quite some discomfort after the operation so ensure you are fully informed about post-operative care and are aware of any possible complications.

You may also feel that the outcome is not what you intended.  There are no guarantees in cosmetic surgery, but rest assured that the majority of people find the benefits of arm lift surgery are relatively long term and they feel physically and psychologically better having opted for it.  Most complications are temporary and relate to post-operative infections, or are due to ongoing pain and swelling. 
There are some other risks and complications you need to be aware of and discuss at consultation stage. 

All cosmetic surgery carries the risk of:

• Infection
• Allergic reaction to anesthetics or analgesics
• Lack of wound healing (excessive bleeding – hematoma)
• Blood clot (possibly deep vein thrombosis, or cardiac or pulmonary risk)
• Fluid accumulation
• Ongoing, excessive pain
• The need for further, possibly corrective, surgery
• Uneven healing of the scar tissue or raised scar tissue (keloids)

What are the risks in Arm Lift surgery?

Scarring

Scars will be bright pink for some time, and take up to a year to fade to acceptable levels.  If you notice they heal over the longer term in ridges (keloids), consult your surgeon as you may need minor corrective surgery.  If you find that leakage occurs from the scars, again, consult your surgeon as you may need antibiotics.

Uneven arm contours

It is possible, though rare, that the fat and skin removal has left an uneven look to your upper arms.  The surgeon will have ensured even tightening, repositioning and contouring.  The unevenness may be caused by some fat cells dying (fat necrosis – see below) as a result of the surgical intervention. 

Fat necrosis

This occurs at trauma spots caused during surgery when the blood supply to the remaining fat and skin may get damaged.  While rare, this can lead to the death of fat cells, which causes raised hard lumps.  Occasionally, an internal infection can result in these areas.

Skin necrosis

This occurs when the skin is stretched and the underlying blood supply is damaged.  This is more likely to occur if the patient is a smoker or has diabetes.