When a person has excess fat in their arms that restricts normal movement, or when they have wrinkled or sagging skin, an arm lift can be used to correct these issues. An arm lift is particularly beneficial in cases of sagging skin on the inner arms, where liposuction alone may not be sufficient.
A brachioplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure for the arms that aims to tighten the skin in this area which has become sagging due to weight loss or skin aging.
Brachioplasty is indicated in both men and women to treat excess skin or fat (this is then called lipodystrophy) or a combination of both, which is the most frequent case.
An inner arm lift may also be indicated following poor skin retraction after liposuction.
Before the arm lift procedure
Before this body contouring surgery, a pre-operative assessment will be carried out, including a complete blood test and a consultation with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist 48 hours before the procedure. It is recommended to stop taking oral contraceptives one month before the procedure. Furthermore, taking aspirin in the 10 days before the procedure is discouraged. Quitting smoking is also recommended.
Arm lift surgery
Anesthesia
Arm lifts are most often performed under general anesthesia, but the procedure can also be carried out under local anesthesia supplemented by intravenous sedation. The choice between these two techniques will be made following a discussion between the patient, the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist.
If the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, the patient must arrive fasting on the day of the surgery. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient can leave the clinic after a few hours of observation. In some cases, a short hospital stay may be preferable, in which case discharge will be authorized the following day.
Operating time
The principle behind this cosmetic surgery is to reduce fat deposits through liposuction , but also to remove excess skin and redrape the remaining skin to effectively tighten it. The operation lasts between 1 and 2.5 hours, depending on the extent of the improvements required.
First, the surgeon makes the necessary incisions for both the thigh lift and the liposuction. In most cases, liposuction of the arms is required to remove excess fat from the area. Depending on the individual case, the surgeon will make a longitudinal incision along the inner side of the arm.
This incision is indicated in cases of significant skin laxity, and therefore a reason for consultation for both aesthetic (difficulty wearing short sleeves) and functional (restricted mobility) reasons. The surgeon may also use a horizontal incision in the armpit. This incision is indicated in cases of less significant lesions with excess and lax skin located in the upper third of the arm.
The surgeon may also use both types of incisions. Next, the surgeon removes the excess skin. The location of the excess skin was determined preoperatively. Absorbable sutures will be used to redrape and tighten the remaining skin.
After the arm lift procedure
Post-operative care
Following brachioplasty surgery , postoperative pain is generally minimal and relieved by analgesics. Bruising and swelling may occur after the procedure, but these will subside within 10 to 20 days. A decrease or loss of sensation on the inner arms is possible, but this is temporary.
The healing period can be somewhat uncomfortable due to the tension on the edges of the suture; stretching movements should be limited. In some cases, the patient will need to wear a compression garment for 4 to 6 weeks.
Possible complications
During cosmetic arm surgery, rare complications can occur, as with any surgical procedure. However, arm lifts in Tunisia are a fairly common procedure. Immediate complications are thromboembolic in nature and are treated with anticoagulants.
Secondary complications can occur from the eighth postoperative day onward. These include effusion due to lymphatic drainage, which resolves without lasting effects after aspiration. Postoperative recovery may be prolonged due to delayed wound healing. Postoperative altered sensation on the inner aspect of the arms may persist, and normal sensation will return within 3 to 6 months.
Recommendations
A minimum of 7 days of rest is required. Return to work will be possible within 7 to 10 days, depending on the nature of the job. Resumption of sports activities is only permitted after one month post-surgery. Sun exposure of the scar should be avoided for a period of 3 months.
Post-operative follow-up
These are the post-operative visits prescribed by the surgeon. The first visit will take place the day after the procedure if you were hospitalized. The surgeon will remain available even after your discharge until you have fully recovered.
Result
Due to swelling and bruising, the final result will only be noticeable once these have completely disappeared. The final result is visible six months after the procedure. Scars begin to fade from the third month onward; it will take at least 12 months to assess their final appearance.
Following an inner arm lift , an aesthetic improvement is most often observed due to the correction of fat deposits and skin laxity, which significantly improves the arm’s shape. The functional improvement is also very noticeable, especially in the case of a lift with a longitudinal incision.
