Arm Lift Surgery
What is an arm lift?
As we age or lose a significant amount of weight, excess skin develops on the upper arms. Because the skin is not very resilient, many people experience drooping skin, as they grow older. Exercise alone will not be able to get rid of the sagging skin.
Arm Lift Surgery, or brachioplasty, can help.
The surgery poses few risks and offers many benefits, along with a relatively easy recovery. You will gain a more pleasing and youthful appearance, and have renewed confidence in how you look.
During arm lift surgery Dr. Jimerson will remove the excess skin that is dropping downward from the arms. At the same time, the doctor will tighten and smooth all underlying tissues that help to define the shape of the arm.
There will be scars from the surgery, but they will be hidden from view when the arms are placed at your sides. Following the procedure, there will be a relatively quick recovery. Patients often return to work within one week, and resume all normal activities within one month.
During recovery, you will need to limit your physical exertion and activities. Swelling will be present for up to one month, but it will gradually dissipate. The surgery generally takes about two hours.
Are you a candidate for arm lift surgery?
As with most elective cosmetic procedures, there are several basic criteria that determine if you’re a good candidate for the arm lift surgery. They include:
- You have excessive upper arm skin that is drooping downward
- Your weight is stable and you are not significantly overweight for your height
- You enjoy relatively good health without any medical conditions that could jeopardize your healing or present surgical risks
- You’re a non-smoker (smoking can impair the healing process), and you have realistic expectations on what the surgery can do for you
Cost for arm lift surgery
Costs can vary based on individual patient needs and the amount of surgery required.
The costs involved in this procedure include facility/hospital fees, medical tests, anesthesia fees, Dr. Jimerson’s fee and any medication or post-operative garments that may be required. Our staff will provide you with a detailed cost estimate for your procedure.
Arm lift recovery
After your arm lift surgery, you will have dressings and/or bandages placed to cover the incisions. In addition, Dr. Jimerson may place elastic bandages or compression garments on the arms to help reduce swelling.
A small drainage tube may be placed in the incision in order to help drain excess blood or fluids after surgery. Dr. Jimerson will prescribe pain medications to keep you comfortable after the procedure.
Because different procedures are used for body contouring, Dr. Jimerson will give you specific instructions on how to care for the incision, what medicines you need to apply or take orally and what to look for.
You will also be given specific instructions on bending, lifting or straining, and for how long.
Arm lift procedure steps
Step 1 – Anesthesia
You will discuss various anesthesia options with Dr. Jimerson, including sedation and general anesthesia. He will determine the best type of anesthesia based on the procedure, your health history and his preferences.
Step 2 – The incisionAn incision is made on the underside or on the back of the arm, and Dr. Jimerson is then able to remove larger areas of loose skin and tighten underlying structures. The length of the incision will be based on the amount and the location of the excess skin that has to be removed.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
After the excess skin is removed, sutures are placed in the underlying tissues to tighten and reshape the skin. The skin is then placed and smoothed over the new, more appealing contours of your arm.
Risks involved in arm lift surgery
As with any surgical procedure, there are some potential risks or complications. You have to determine if the benefits that you’ll obtain from your procedure outweigh the risks involved.
Dr. Jimerson and his trained staff will do everything possible to minimize risks and postoperative complications. Risks may include:
Anesthesia • Bleeding • Infection • Scarring •Poor wound healing • Damage to underlying nerves, muscles or blood vessels • Numbness or skin sensation changes • Persistent pain • Possible need to revise the surgery • Problems with sutures that may require removal
It’s important to discuss any concerns you have with Dr. Jimerson prior to your surgery. If you have a question – please ask!
You will be able to see the results of buttock augmentation immediately after surgery, but the final results may take up to a year to be visible, as it takes time for the fat that is injected to “take.”
Meeting with Dr. Jimerson
Prior to surgery you will have a consultation with Dr. Jimerson. This is an important appointment, as it will give you an opportunity to ask questions about the procedure and what you can expect from the surgery.
He will discuss you specific goals, take a medical history and review your current medications. Photos are usually taken, both before and after the surgery.
You will also be able to learn what options are available to you, along with the risks and possible complications of the procedure.
Questions to ask Dr. Jimerson
During your appointment, it’s good to ask Dr. Jimerson questions about your surgery.
Here are some questions to consider:
- What surgical technique is recommended?
- How long will the recovery period be for my surgery?
- What risks are associated with my surgery?
- What type of complications can happen?
- When will I be able to see the results of my surgery?
- Do you think that I’m a good candidate for this procedure?
Please sure to ask any other questions you have about Dr. Jimerson, the procedure or anything else that concerns you about your surgery.
Arm lift surgery preparation
What happens prior to the arm lift surgery? You will have lab tests, and the doctor may have you take new medications or adjust the medications that you’re currently taking.
If you smoke, you must stop several weeks prior the surgery, as it can severely impeded the healing process.
Finally, you should arrange to have someone available to drive you home after your surgery, and to be with you for the first night.
Arm lift before and after results
You can expect to see a tighter contour from your arm lift surgery immediately after the procedure. This will improve over time as the swelling reduces. You can expect your results to last a long time, as long as you keep your weight stable and stay fit.
Be sure to follow Dr. Jimerson’s instruction following your procedure to obtain optimal results.
Arm lift terms that will help you understand your surgery:
Arm lift: (Also called brachioplasty) is surgery to treat the sagging skin on the upper arms
Axilla: the underarm area
General anesthesia: by using drugs and/or gasses, you are completely asleep during your procedure
Hematoma: a pool of blood that forms under the skin as a result of the surgery
IV Sedation: (Also called intravenous sedation) uses drugs injected into your vein to induce sedation and a relaxed feeling during your procedure
Liposuction: (Also called lipoplasty) where the doctor suctions out fat using a cannula from beneath the skin
Local anesthesia: a drug injected into a specific site on the body to prevent pain during a procedure
Skin laxity: the tautness of skin on the body, as measured by how loose it is
Sutures: the stitches that are used to close an incision, holding the skin and tissues together after surgery
Why use Dr. Jimerson and the Advanced Plastic Surgery Solutions team?
r. Jimerson and his team have years of extensive training and experience in all areas of cosmetic surgery, liposuction and fat grafting. He has pioneered face and body sculpting techniques that bring patients exceptional, long-lasting results.
The team is committed to meet your unique needs, with a natural, long-lasting look. Because of his expertise, Dr. Jimerson offers patients reduced operative times, which means faster recovery times. In addition, he strives to use techniques that are safer than traditional procedures.
Schedule your appointment
he best way to determine if arm lift surgery is right for you is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jimerson. The doctor will discuss the procedure, evaluate your concerns relating to your body and answer any questions you may have. To schedule your appointment click here
Your arm lift consultation
Prior to surgery you will have a consultation with Dr. Jimerson. This is an important appointment, as it will give you an opportunity to ask questions about the procedure and what you can expect from the surgery.
He will discuss you specific goals, take a medical history and review your current medications. Photos are usually taken, both before and after the surgery.
You will also be able to learn what options are available to you, along with the risks and possible complications of the procedure.