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If you desire smooth, youthful-looking upper arms, then an arm lift procedure at DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery may be right for you. Weight loss, aging, and heredity can cause changes to the lines of your arms, resulting in a droopy, sagging, batwing-like appearance. An arm lift, or a brachioplasty, reshapes the under-portion of the upper arm, extending from the underarm to the elbow. This procedure results in smoother, normal contours of the arms.
An upper arm lift, also called brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arm, tightens the skin, and removes extra fat. Excess skin is often the result of weight loss or aging, and is often referred to as a bat wing. An arm lift can be combined with other weight loss surgeries such as breast lift, tummy tuck, or thigh lift.
If you want to increase your confidence and improve your appearance in clothing that shows your arms, then an arm lift may be right for you. Atlanta plastic surgeon, Lisa DiFrancesco, MD was asked to be a breast and body plastic surgery expert on a panel of her peers.
Arm Lift Candidates in Atlanta
The ideal patient for arm lift surgery is at or near their ideal body weight. They also have sagging skin and excess fat in their upper arm, which can become worse with aging or after significant weight loss. Hanging skin can create the appearance of “bat wings” and lead to a loss of confidence. It’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and exercise to be considered for an arm lift procedure. Atlanta arm lift patients who are healthy, at a stable weight, and nonsmoking may proceed with an arm lift. If you meet these criteria, then an arm lift with Lisa DiFrancesco, MD in Atlanta is for you.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Options for Atlanta Patients
Atlanta patients who seek upper arm rejuvenation have several different options available. Lisa DiFrancesco, MD will evaluate you during your consultation and develop an individual treatment plan to achieve your goals. Your arm lift treatment may address excess skin and fat and, based on your anatomy and preferences, one of the following arm lift procedures will be best for you:
Liposuction
Arm liposuction is right for you if you have skin with good elasticity and a moderate amount of fat to be removed. This procedure is performed in-office with local anesthesia. Therefore, you can undergo a faster recovery because there are no side effects from general anesthesia. Arm liposuction may be performed alone or with a brachioplasty procedure.
Lisa DiFrancesco, MD will often use laser or smart liposuction on the arms to help with skin tightening. Arm liposuction has minimal downtime, with most Atlanta patients returning to work the next day. Scars are small and most fade over time. Patients are asked to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks after surgery to aid in the arm lift recovery process. Arm liposuction patients will begin to see results in as little as 2 weeks and will achieve maximal results in 6 months.
Mini Arm Lift
A mini arm lift is best for patients who may have significant fat and, after liposuction, have a small amount of loose skin. It may also be used in thin patients with a small amount of upper arm laxity. The incision is usually limited to the axilla. The mini arm lift addresses skin laxity in the upper arm adjacent to the armpit and removes a crescent of loose skin. Drains are not necessary and sutures dissolve on their own. There is minimal downtime with the mini arm lift, and most patients return to work in a day or two.
Full Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty, or arm lift, removes excess skin from the armpit down to the elbow. It may include liposuction to contour the surrounding tissue. The scar will extend from the elbow to the armpit and may include a T in the armpit. Full brachioplasty is most often necessary in patients with massive weight loss who have a large amount of excess skin and fat. Dr. DiFrancesco will commonly use drains for this procedure that remain for approximately 1 week. Patients are encouraged to walk after the procedure while resuming full activity in 4 to 6 weeks.
Extended Brachioplasty
The extended brachioplasty includes the full brachioplasty and extends the scar on the lateral chest wall. This will contour the area in the axilla down to the bra line. Extra skin in this area is usually seen in patients who have had massive weight loss. Patients will have drains for 7 to 10 days. Most patients resume normal activity after a brachioplasty in 2 to 3 weeks and get back to the gym in 6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can underarm fat be removed?
Do arm lift scars fade?
Do waist trainers tighten loose skin?
Does arm lift leave a scar?
Does arm lipo hurt?
Does insurance pay for arm lift?
Does Medicare pay for Brachioplasty?
How long after Brachioplasty Can I exercise?
Who is a good candidate for a thigh lift and/or arm lift?
Do arm lifts only remove excess skin?
How much down time is there after this procedure?
Are these procedures performed in the hospital?
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Do I need to wear a compression garment after an arm lift?
Schedule A Consultation
To achieve your toned, sculpted arm appearance, contact Dr. DiFrancesco at our Atlanta office today for a consultation!