What is an Arm Lift?
Age, weight loss, and bariatric surgery – these are a few of the reasons a patient might develop excess tissue and sagging skin on their upper arms. To combat this, Janiga MDs offers brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, to address excess skin through conservative cosmetic surgery techniques. This procedure is designed to tighten and remove excess fat and skin from the upper arm. Dr. Timothy Janiga has found this procedure to be effective for both men and women who are self-conscious about excess tissue and sagging upper arm skin.
Candidates for An Upper Arm Lift
The most common concern that people will come to our office with for an upper arm lift is hanging skin, tissue, or fat on the upper arms that many people refer to as “bat wings” or “bingo wings” or other derogatory terms. Far from being a genetic trait, this condition is due to a variety of factors, often including losing weight, getting older and experiencing skin laxity, or even building muscle on other parts of the arms or shoulders.
If these concerns sound familiar to you, or you’ve experienced significant weight loss recently, you are likely a good candidate for an upper arm lift. This surgery can tighten excess remaining skin on the arms while removing excess tissue that pulls this area down with gravity. The best candidates should be generally healthy adults who have reasonable expectations for the results this procedure can provide.
THE Arm Lift PROCEDURE
Dr. Janiga performs arm lift surgery in an outpatient surgery center using general anesthesia. It usually involves an incision along the inner side of the upper arm that allows for the removal of excess skin and fatty tissues. Liposuction can be incorporated into the procedure depending on the patient’s desired outcome. Dr. Janiga can modify the extent of the incision depending on the amount of excess skin present and always chooses the smallest incision necessary to minimize swelling and speed up arm lift recovery.
A mini brachioplasty is available for the removal of minor amounts of excess fat and skin from the arms. This version of arm lift surgery is performed by Dr. Janiga in an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia as well. During the procedure, an incision is placed under the armpit. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the incision is closed.
These procedures take one to two hours with another hour of recovery time before going home.
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RECOVERY & RESULTS of ARM LIFT SURGERY
Swelling and bruising may last a few weeks after your procedure. You can expect to return to work within five to seven days. Full results are expected within three to six months. Dr. Janiga recommends a compression garment on the upper arm for a few weeks after brachioplasty.
Once fully recovered, you can expect a slimmer, tighter, and more contoured upper arm.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Janiga for an arm lift in our Reno plastic surgery offices, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arm Lift
Is an arm lift painful?
Because anesthesia is used during the arm lift procedure, you won’t have to worry about any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, you will feel some tightness, discomfort, and swelling for the first 1-2 weeks.
When will I see the results of my arm lift?
While the new contours of your arm will be noticeable immediately, the full results can take several weeks to appear as the swelling subsides.
Does an arm lift leave scars?
As with any surgical procedure, you will have scars afterward, but your surgeon will place the incisions in an inconspicuous place to ensure they are as hidden as possible. The scars will also become less noticeable and fade as time goes on.
What is a mini arm lift?
If you have a minor amount of excess fat and skin on your arms that you want removed, a mini arm lift can be a great option.
When can I return to work?
You will likely be able to return to work 5-7 days after the arm lift procedure depending on the nature of your work.