arm-lift“Bat Wings,” “Arm Flab,” “Hello Helen’s.” These are just a few of the names that are bestowed upon the stubborn excess skin under our upper arms. Many factors can contribute to this lax skin such as age, weight loss, and our general genetic makeup. The good news is that these concerns can be corrected with the help of double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Arslanian. You no longer need to feel self-conscious or feel uncomfortable when wearing certain types of clothing.

An arm lift can help men and women feel confident in their bodies and obtain the look they’ve always wanted. Contact Arslanian Plastic Surgery today to schedule a private consultation!

What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, clinically known as brachioplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that makes the upper part of the arm slender and more toned by removing excess sagging skin. This concern can prevent you from fitting into certain types of clothing or cause you to shy away from social events, such as going to the beach. For this procedure, Dr. Arslanian removes excess lax skin on the upper arms, as well as tightens and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue in order to define the arm’s shape and contour. There are various reasons why a patient experiences these concerns such as weight fluctuations, the natural aging process, or genetics.

Regardless of the reason, an arm lift can help you achieve the aesthetic that you desire. This cosmetic procedure is ideal for men and women who are looking to reduce the amount of excess skin and create a newly defined contour for the arms.

There are several different techniques that Dr. Arslanian may use to help you achieve your bodily goals. The specific method chosen will depend on your particular needs and what you are looking to accomplish through this procedure. However, an arm lift does not include the removal of excess fat. In cases such as this, Dr. Arslanian may recommend combining additional procedures, such as liposuction, with the arm lift to achieve the aesthetic you desire. For more information or to set up a consultation, please contact our office here or call (678) 894-7787.

Benefits of an Arm Lift

Dr. Arslanian has had great success providing beautiful results for his arm lift patients. This procedure has helped many men and women attain the look they desire. Some of the numerous benefits that a brachioplasty provides go as follows:

  • Gain a more toned shape of the upper arm
  • Remove lax skin to improve overall contour
  • Scars are minimal and relatively easy to hide
  • Boost your confidence and self-esteem
  • Enjoy more clothing options

Ideal Candidates

The first step to see if you are a good candidate for an arm lift procedure is setting up a consultation with Dr. Arslanian. To be considered for an arm lift, you should be in good health and maintain reasonable expectations for the procedure and its outcomes. If you are a massive weight loss patient, you should have already met your weight loss goal before undergoing this procedure, as weight fluctuations after the surgery can alter the final results. It is also important that you are a non-smoker and live a healthy lifestyle. If you do smoke, you will be asked to quit approximately three weeks before your surgery date.

No matter the cause, Dr. Arslanian can correct excess skin through an arm lift. As stated above, if you are looking to treat both excess fat and skin, the doctor may suggest combining additional procedures with the arm lift or recommend considering this procedure once you have reduced the amount of fat through diet and exercise.

Consultation

At the time of your consultation, you’ll be able to meet with Dr. Arslanian to discuss your aesthetic goals and set realistic expectations for the look you want to achieve. The doctor will also assess your past medical history, mainly looking at your overall health, medications, and any previous procedures. This will help him to ensure that you have no pre-existing conditions that could negatively impact your ability to heal properly or create risk during surgery.

For the final step for this consultation, Dr. Arslanian will perform a brief physical examination to make the final determination of your candidacy. If deemed a suitable candidate by the doctor, he will work with you to build a custom treatment plan tailored to your exact needs. This treatment plan will give Dr. Arslanian the ability to provide you with an accurate quote for your arm lift procedure. He understands the importance of trust and prides himself on giving his you the honest feedback that is necessary to ensure you are satisfied with the final results.

Arm Lift Techniques

Traditional

This technique is one most frequently associated with a brachioplasty procedure. The incision runs from the armpit to the elbow, along the underside of the arm. This allows for a scar on the inside of the arm which can be nicely hidden.The traditional arm lift technique is best suited to treat a moderate amount of loose skin on the upper part of the arms. During the final part of this procedure, Dr. Arslanian will pull the remaining skin taut, improving the overall shape and contour of the arms.

Mini

A mini arm lift is designed to correct minimal amounts of excess skin on the upper part of the arms. This incision is small and is made within the armpit for easy concealment. During this procedure, a small amount of skin is removed, and the remaining skin is then pulled tight to achieve the new arm contour. Scarring is discrete and nicely hidden within the natural creases of the armpit. This technique treats explicitly excess skin that borders the armpits.

Extended

This arm lift technique is used to treat more severe cases of skin laxity and is mostly chosen if you have undergone significant weight loss. The incision for this procedure runs from the elbow to the armpit and continues along the side of the chest for further correction than any other arm lift procedure. Although the incision for the extended arm lift is more significant than the others, the results are very satisfactory. If you are looking to treat a large amount of excess skin, this may be the ideal technique to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat deposits from a certain area of the body and provides optimal contouring results. This procedure can be performed on its own or in conjunction with another procedure, such as an arm lift, to provide more comprehensive results. Dr. Arslanian starts by making a small incision near the treatment area and inserts a thin cannula into it. Through the use of high power suction, the fat is removed from the body entirely, leaving a more slender and defined arm contour. Liposuction is not for all patients and can be discussed as an option during your consultation.

The Procedure

The arm lift procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning, once the surgery is complete, you will be able to return home to continue your recovery in comfort. Typically, this procedure takes 2-3 hours to perform, depending on the extent of correct that is required. During your pre-op consultation, you will go over what to expect on surgery day and how you can properly prepare for your surgery according to your custom treatment plan.

If you have elected to combine liposuction along with the arm lift, Dr. Arslanian will do so before starting the actual arm lift procedure. He will make the necessary incisions surrounding the treatment area to remove an adequate amount of fat. He will then make the necessary incisions to remove the excess skin from the arms. The technique used for this procedure will be decided the day of the consultation. Once the skin has been removed, the doctor will join the remaining skin and close the incisions using sutures. Once the procedure is complete, your arms will be wrapped in compression sleeves, and you will be escorted to the recovery area where you will be monitored for a couple of hours by our nursing staff before being released to go home.

Recovery

After you’ve been cleared for discharge, you can continue to recover in the comfort of your own home.

It is important to remember that all patients heal differently. With that being said, mild swelling, bruising, and slight discomfort can be expected after your arm lift procedure. This is completely normal and will subside on its own.

The compression sleeves should be worn at all times throughout the recovery process to help with swelling and bruising throughout the treatment area. Dr. Arslanian recommends his post-op patients to walk a brief amount the night after your procedure to help to improve blood circulation throughout the body and to reduce the risk of clotting.

The downtime for the arm lift procedure is typically 5-7 days, which after you will be able to return to your daily routines. More strenuous movements and activities should be avoided for at least 10-14 days unless otherwise specified by Dr. Arslanian. You will also be provided with a prescription for pain medication and instructions to prevent infection and promote proper healing. Our staff can help you schedule any necessary follow-up appointments and are available to answer any post-procedural questions you might have.

Cost

The cost of your arm lift procedure will depend on the extent of correction you require and if any additional procedures will be performed during the surgery. To obtain a custom brachioplasty quote, please contact Arslanian Plastic Surgery today and request a consultation with Dr. Arslanian. There is no better time than now to correct skin laxity and achieve the aesthetic that you desire. We look forward to meeting you.