Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston and Katy, TX
An arm lift (brachioplasty) is a surgical procedure to recontour and sculpt the upper arms. After losing a considerable amount of weight, your upper arms can be left with loose skin and tissue that hang down below the upper portion of your arms. Age can be another cause of sagging skin on the upper arms. Even active and healthy people may experience skin laxity as they age. Brachioplasty or an arm lift can solve this problem. Arm lifts improve the contours and shape of the arms. R. M. Bonnor M.D., F.A.C.S., of Texas Surgical Arts in Houston, TX, performs arm lifts to contour the arms and correct those undesirable so called “bat-wings.” Proudly wear your favorite shirts or blouses again after an arm lift from Texas Surgical Arts. Book a consultation today. You can reach our office at (281) 579-5638.
Contents
About Arm Lifts
Whether the excess skin results from significant weight loss, pregnancy, or natural aging, flabby arms are a common complaint. Arm lifts provide a safe and effective solution to flabby arms or “bat-wings.” Demand for arm lifts has increased during the past decade partially as a result of the increase in bariatric or weight loss surgeries. Arm lifts are often performed 12 to 14 months months post bariatric surgery.[1]
Excess skin around the arms typically cannot be resolved through diet or exercise. A brachioplasty or arm lift often improves that self-confidence for wearing short-sleeved tops again. An arm lift is combined with liposuction to achieve appropriate contouring resutls.
Types of Arm Lifts
Mini Arm Lift (Mini brachioplasty)
Mini arm lifts are a scaled-back version of a standard arm lift. They are ideal for patients that just have excess skin around the armpit that they would like to remove. A mini arm lift will result in a smaller incision near the armpit that will leave a very minimal scar.
Liposuction Assisted Arm Lifts (lipo-brachioplasty)
If your flabby arms result from undesirable fat deposits in addition to excess skin, then liposuction assisted brachioplasty provides you with a comprehensive solution. Adding liposuction produces results beyond what either procedure can achieve independently. Patients who undergo liposuction assisted arm lifts report very high levels of patient satisfaction with low rates of complications.[2][3]
Your Personal Consultation with Dr. Bonnor
If you’re curious whether or not you can benefit from an arm lift, schedule a consultation with Texas Surgical Arts. You can also call our Houston area office at (281) 579-5638.
After Your Arm Lift
Patients can expect some discomfort after an arm lift. Usually, over-the-counter pain medication such as tylenol is sufficient to alleviate any pain. It’s important to refrain from any strenuous use of your arms. Do not use your arms to lift or prop yourself up. Avoid pulling or pushing yourself up out of bed in the morning. Correction of “bat wings” or arm lifts are a key component of a comprehensive post-bariatric body contouring plan. Studies into the outcomes of arm lifts after weight-loss found that 94% of patients experienced improved self-esteem after the procedure with visible improvements in arm contouring.[4]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Am I a good candidate for an arm lift?
Good candidates for arm lifts are at a stable body weight but experience skin laxity in the upper arms. As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity. You might maintain a healthy diet and participate in regular exercise and still develop troublesome “bat-wings.” Age, pregnancy, and weight loss can all cause sagging skin on the upper arms. Brachioplasty or a surgical arm lift can resolve flabby upper arms to a more toned contour. Smokers are not candidates for arm lifts.
What are the risks involved with arm lifts?
Like all surgical procedures, there are some risks involved. Potential risks include poor scarring, infection, skin sensation changes. The risk of complications can be greatly reduced by visiting a cosmetic surgeon with expertise in arm lifts such as Dr. R.M. Bonnor.
Are results from arm lifts permanent?
Arm lifts offer permanent results with the caveat that the patient maintains stable body weight. Large fluctuations in weight, both losing and gaining weight, can disrupt the new balance achieved with an arm lift and could potentially affect results.
References
- Sisti, A., Cuomo, R., Milonia, L., Tassinari, J., Castagna, A., Brandi, C., Grimaldi, L., D’Aniello, C., & Nisi, G. (2018). Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review. Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis, 88(4), 393–402. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v88i4.5609
- Di Pietro, V., Colicchia, G. M., Cervelli, V., & Gentile, P. (2018). Arm Contouring After Massive Weight Loss: Liposuction-Assisted Brachioplasty Versus Standard Technique. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 11(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_102_17
- de Runz A, Colson T, Minetti C, Brix M, Pujo J, Gisquet H, Simon E. (2015). Liposuction-assisted medial brachioplasty after massive weight loss: an efficient procedure with a high functional benefit. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. Jan;135(1):74e-84e. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000000845
- Symbas JD, Losken A. (2010). An outcome analysis of brachioplasty techniques following massive weight loss. Annals of Plastic Surgery. May;64(5):588-91. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181c6cde8