This week’s Plastic Surgery Video comes from KRON 4’s Body Beautiful and covers a very specific area of concern seen most frequently after weight loss: the Arm Lift. Also know as Brachioplasty, the Arm Lift tightens the skin of the upper arm which can be over stretched with weight gain.
The Arm Lift Video Presentation below shows many Arm Lift Before and After Pictures. The examples are narrated to describe the specifics in each case. Arm Lifts are a common procedure after Bariatric Surgery or after any large weight loss that leave the arms loose.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Video Presentation
Arm Lifts with Liposuction
When the upper arm is disproportionate due to excess fat and the skin is tight, Liposuction may be all that is needed. Liposuction removes extra fat through small incisions strategically placed in the normal contours of the body. For arm Liposuction, the scars are placed about the elbow or in the axillary regions. For Liposuction of the arms to be effective, the fat must be disproportionate and the skin must have good elasticity. When the skin is loose, removing the underlying fat will enhance the laxity and make the skin fold unpredictably. For loose skin, the Arm Lift is usually the only effective option.
Brachioplasty – Changing the Arms
After massive weight loss, like with the weight loss seen after Bariatric Surgery, much of the upper arm fat disappears. The arm skin, on the other hand, tends to stick around. The excess upper arm skin can be so excessive that the arm remains tight in a sleeve, long after the fat has gone. I have had many patients ask for help with their arm skin laxity. They want to feel comfortable; they want to fit in their clothes, and they want their arms to stop waving when their hands do. Sometimes called Bat Wings, excessive upper arm skin can be a source of frustration and embarrassment long after the weight is lost.
How is the Arm Lift Performed?
The Arm Lift or Brachioplasty is a Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedure that removes excess skin from the arm. It is performed as an outpatient procedure in an accredited surgery center and takes a few hours. The skin excess is carefully marked for removal with the patient awake and upright so that just enough skin remains to comfortably cover the arm. In the operating room, the excess skin is excised, and the tightened, leaving a carefully closed incision along the underside of the arm. The arm is supported with a compression garment after surgery, and Embrace Scar Therapy is often used to support the repair, speed healing and maximally improve the appearance of the scar. Most patients are back to their normal activities in one to two weeks with few limitations.
Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery
Brachioplasty is frequently performed in conjunction with other Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery procedures. While Bariatric Surgery can cause weight and fat loss, it does not always leave the skin tight. In fact, as we gain weight the excess fat, expands the skin and which grows to cover the increased surface area. When the weight is lost, the skin will shrink, but usually not completely. It is recommended to wait one year after Bariatric Surgery to allow the skin to shrink maximally and the body to heal before having any Plastic Surgery Skin Tightening procedures.
The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons (ASBPS)
Dr. Mele is an Active Member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, a group of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons dedicated to reshaping bodies after massive weight loss.
The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgery is dedicated to shaping the body after massive weight loss.
If you have lost a significant amount of weight or have completed Bariatric Surgery and are looking to remove loose skin, members of the ASBPS are America’s body contouring specialists. Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery procedures we perform include:
- Arm Lifts (Brachioplasty)
- Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)
- Breast Lifts (Mastopexy)
- Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty)
- Butt Lifts
- Face Lifts (Rhytidectomy)
- Gynecomastia Reduction (Male Breast Reduction)
- Liposuction (And Fat Transfer/Grafting)
- Lower Body Lifts (Belt Lipectomy)
- Mommy Makeovers
- Thigh Lifts (Thighplasty)
- Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty)
Arm Lift Consultations
Schedule your Arm Lift Consultation today by calling (925) 943-6353. During your visit to our San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery office in the East Bay city of Walnut Creek, CA, we will discuss your options for treatment and what you can expect from the Brachioplasty procedure. As a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and an ASBPS member, I can offer a wide range of skin tightening treatments after weight loss, as well as other Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedures.
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