Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
As time passes, many people carry excess skin and fat on their bodies. Some individuals who are extremely fit and athletic may nonetheless present with excess sagging skin on their upper arms. It’s an area that is severely affected by gravity, resulting in a tendency to form loose saggy skin, with rolls mainly under the upper arm.
If there is little or no loose skin but there is an excess of fatty tissue, liposuction alone could be employed to reduce the excess fat and improve the contour of the upper arm, with no skin removal. If there is already excess hanging skin, liposuction is likely to make the excess hanging skin more pronounced and a brachioplasty would be required. Also known as an arm lift, brachioplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that effectively removes excess skin and fat from the arms as an open operation.
At his New South Wales plastic surgery practice in Sydney Dr. Darrell Perkins performs brachioplasty (arm lift) procedures to address excess fat and skin in the upper arms.
More information
About arm lift surgery
During a brachioplasty, an incision is placed on the underside of the upper arm, usually running from the armpit to the elbow, and the excess hanging skin and fat is excised.
When performing this arm lift procedure, Dr Perkins uses techniques that do not interfere with the lymphatic vessels, veins, and nerves in the tissue.
Brachioplasty is performed under a general anaesthetic in hospital. The procedure can take from 1.5 – 2 hours, and patients usually stay for 1 night following the surgery.
For carefully selected patients, it is possible for the surgery to be performed as a day procedure.
Recovery
- Just like any other operation, recovery after brachioplasty surgery is very individual.
- Upon completion of the surgery patients are placed in a compression dressing. The dressing supports the area and helps to reduce swelling and is worn for 2 weeks following the surgery.
- Once recovered and ready for discharge, post-operative instructions covering wound care, medications and follow up appointments will be given.
- It is essential that a responsible adult collect the patient and stay with them for the first 24 hours following the surgery if a day procedure.
- Bruising and swelling are normal following the surgery and will subside over the first few weeks. A degree of discomfort can be expected for the few first days after the surgery.
- Patients are encouraged to undertake light walking following the surgery to improve blood circulation, but strenuous arm activities must be avoided for at least 2 weeks. Dr Perkins will advise when a return to the gym is possible.
- Patients are usually able to drive a car 7 days or so after their surgery, and generally return to work after 1 – 2 weeks depending on their type of employment.
Risk
Even with the highest standards of practice, all surgical procedures carry a level of risk and the potential for complications. In addition, every individual will have a different risk profile depending on their general health, age and the complexity of the procedure.
During the consultation Dr Perkins will explain the possible complications and risks of the specific procedure to provide the necessary information to enable patients to weigh up the benefits, risks and limitations of the surgery. The following are some of the risks associated with this procedure.
- Specific risks of this surgery include keloid or hypertrophic scarring, result too tight or too loose, nerve pain.
- General risks involved in any surgery include post-operative infection, excessive bleeding, pain/discomfort, haematoma (blood collection), seroma (fluid collection), adverse reaction to anaesthetic, unsatisfactory scarring. Read more about general risks and complications of surgery.
Cost
Brachioplasty following major weight loss may qualify for an MBS (Medicare Benefit Schedule) item number if specific criteria are met, making the procedure non-cosmetic.
As such, patients who qualify for an MBS item number and who are in a private health fund with appropriate cover will have a proportion of the costs rebated by Medicare and the health fund.
All other brachioplasty surgery is classified as cosmetic and therefore no Medicare or private health fund rebates apply for the medical or hospital/day surgery fees.
An estimate of costs will be provided following the consultation with Dr Perkins at his rooms in Kogarah or Miranda.
