Arm Lift
As we age, gravity has its way with our bodies. Our upper arms aren’t immune. With the passing years, the soft tissue in the upper arms becomes loose and begins to sag and droop. Also, fat can accumulate in the upper arms, even if the person is at or near their ideal weight. This leads to the dreaded “bat wing” phenomenon, where the skin on the upper arms actually swings back and forth with arm movement. It’s enough to make a woman avoid the sleeveless fashions of summer!
But Dr. Aydin can give you back the contoured upper arms of your younger days with an arm lift. Clinically known as brachioplasty, an arm lift reshapes your arms to a more toned, slimmer profile by removing excess fat and sagging skin.
Could an arm lift be right for me?
If you’re embarrassed by the loose, hanging skin below your upper arms, an arm lift could be a good procedure for you. Whether you’ve gained and lost weight, or whether time just hasn’t been kind to your upper arms, an arm lift can return their contour. But an arm lift is not intended to be any sort of weight loss procedure; potential candidates need to be at or near their ideal weight and in good health. The surgery also creates a lengthy scar, so it isn’t something to take lightly.
The procedure
Due to the length of the area to be contoured, an arm lift creates a lengthy incision. Dr. Aydin usually makes the incision from the underarm to the elbow, along the inside of the upper arm. Excess fat is removed with liposuction, excess skin is trimmed, and underlying muscle tissue is tightened where necessary.
In some cases, where the sagging isn’t extensive, Dr. Aydin can use what is known as a minimal-incision technique. In these cases, he makes a few small incisions near the underarm rather than one long incision on each arm. Obviously, the two of you will discuss which method will work best for you during your consultation.
Recovery and results
Recovery from brachioplasty is not difficult. You will return home with bandages and possibly drainage tubes on your incisions. You’ll need to wear compression garments on both arms to minimize swelling and help your arms adapt to their new contour. Most of the swelling subsides in two weeks and patients can usually return to work at that time. You’ll have to refrain from strenuous activity for six weeks, though, to not aggravate the stitches and reshaped muscle fiber. Your results are immediate, and continue to improve as the swelling subsides. Although there is scarring, most patients are highly satisfied with their arm lift, especially when the warm weather rolls around.
COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATIONS
Request an appointment online or give us a call (201) 345-0100