Brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a plastic surgical procedure to remove excess skin and excess fat, for firmer, more tightened arm skin. Excess skin can present in the arms following weight loss or as part of the normal aging process. As we age, elastin and collagen, two vital proteins essential for maintaining the skin structure decrease. The loss of these two proteins leads to decreased elasticity and firmness of skin which ultimately causes it to become loose. Excess smoking, drinking alcohol, or prolonged exposure to UV rays hastens this decline in levels of elastin and collagen.
Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Mark Doyle sees patients from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and beyond for loose arm skin, to surgically achieve firmer arms through arm excess fat reduction.
What Is Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty, or excess arm fat removal surgery, removes excess skin and excess fat from around the arms. With the surgical goal of tightening the underside of the upper arms, from the armpit to the elbow. Brachioplasty, also known as Arm Lift surgery can reduce excessive skin, tighten the arm skin and generally give a more firmer structure to your arms.
What Causes Excess Fat Tissue To The Upper Arms?
Genes have a big role in determining your physical form. One reason you might gain weight in your upper arms—and one reason it can be so challenging to lose excess fat, even with lots of activity and dieting—is to do with your genetic predisposition to accumulate excess body fat in the arms.
Upper arm skin tends to become loose with age, following a sudden weight loss, or after bariatric surgery. The arm excess fat removal may be a suitable surgery for you if you have excess fat and loose skin on your arms or if you want firmer arms.
Suitable Candidate
You may be a suitable candidate for Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) surgery if you are:
- An adult with noticeable skin laxity on the upper arms
- An adult of any age who is not significantly overweight and whose weight is largely stable
- Healthy and free of illnesses that would hinder healing or raise the risk of surgery
- A non-smoker
- Some who has an optimistic outlook and reasonable expectations
Arm Lift Surgery
The arm lifting procedure involves the removal of excess skin from the inside of the arm and the tightening of the underlying tissues beneath. Dr Doyle will surgically make the incision towards the inner side of your arms to ensure that the post-operative scarring can be minimised.
- Anesthesia & Incisions
Brachioplasty requires general anesthesia. The extent and location of the incision depends on the position, quantity of the excess skin and the experienced surgical recommendation of Gold Coast Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle.
- Arm Liposuction
Arm Liposuction (Lipectomy) is a cosmetic surgery treatment. This may help to remove excess arm fat which is resistant to ordinary weight loss and is suctioned out in surgery. Generally resulting in firmer arms with less excess fat. By removing extra fat, it can also reduce the size of the arms.
- Skin Tightening
If required, within the surgery, Dr Mark Doyle will remove surplus fat through incisions. The remaining supportive tissue situated below is generally then strengthened and toughened through the use of absorbable internal sutures. After this, the excess skin is removed. Finally, Dr Doyle will seal the incisions with the help of an absorbable suture.
Arm Lift Photos
Disclaimer: All information on the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. Please be aware that the outcomes shown are specific to those patients and may not necessarily reflect the results others may experience. Individual results can vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet, and exercise. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are graphics used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.
Recovery
Recovery time after arm lifting surgery depends on your health condition, your body’s healing abilities and the extent of the surgery performed. However, the general recovery time following Brachioplasty surgery is around 6 weeks.
Arm Lift Scars
Scarring is an unavoidable part of any surgery but it generally gradually fades over time. Dr Doyle makes the incisions on the inside of your arms, which will keep the scarring following the surgery more inconspicuous. It is crucial to avoid smoking during the recovery period, as it can delay your recovery and make your scars thicker and more noticeable.
What are the Risks?
Like all surgery, arm lift surgery carries risks. For arm lift surgery, it is important to be aware of potential risks and complications.
Here are some risks associated with arm lift surgery:
- Infection at the surgical site
- Bleeding during or after the procedure
- Formation of noticeable scars
- Blood clotting issues
- Slower-than-expected wound healing
- Risks related to anaesthesia
Remember, staying vigilant and following Dr Doyles’s advice both before and after the surgery are key steps in minimising surgical risks.
How to Reduce Swelling after Brachioplasty?
You should keep your arms raised to subdue post-operative swelling for the first few days. Strenuous activities should be avoided during this period. The same for lifting heavy objects for two to four weeks after the procedure. You may drive when your arms are comfortable in the driving position. You will need to wear a compression bandage for up to 6 weeks post-operatively. These bandages assist in minimising the bruising and swelling and can make your recovery easier.
Book a Consultation
Book a consultation today with Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Mark Doyle on the Gold Coast. He will assess you to find out if arm lift surgery is suitable for you.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
