An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves reshaping the under portion of the upper arm, from the region of the underarm all the way down to the elbow.
Cost of Arm Lift Surgery
Most plastic surgeons now offer financing options to their patients. Costs will vary depending on the skill of the surgeon, region, and type of procedure performed. Total costs will cover medical testing, garments worn after the surgery is complete, any prescription medicine, anesthesiologist’s fee, surgeon’s cost, and the cost of the surgical setting.
It is in the patient’s best interest to choose a reputable, board certified plastic surgeon, even if it means paying a little extra. The total cost of an arm lift is $5,000 to $6,500.
Arm Lift Procedure
The patient can either choose general anesthesia or intravenous sedation for an arm lift. Incisions are made on the inside or outside of the arm, and then extended from the underarm to the elbow.
Liposuction techniques are utilized to remove excess fat from the treated area. Underlying connective tissue is then pulled tight and reshaped, then sewn up with stitches. The outer skin is then sewn up with sutures.
Before and after images can be viewed by logging on to this website: http://www.youthfulimages.com/armlift.htm.
Risks and Complications of an Upper Arm Lift
An upper arm lift, as with any surgical operation, does carry some risks. Some of these may include unsightly scarring, hematoma, infection, allergic reactions to the anesthetics, blood clots, and poor wound healing.
Check with your cosmetic surgeon for all risks involved in this particular procedure. Remember to report to the doctor immediately any shortness of breath, chest pains or heart palpitations, as these could indicate serious reactions.
Arms Lift Recovery
Sutures will be extracted within one to two weeks following an arm lift. Some bruising and swelling will be apparent. Patients will recover at home and medications will be prescribed for pain.
A compression bandage will be worn over the arm for a week. Patients are permitted to return to normal activities and work after one week.
But, it may take months before patients can resume exercises. It may take up to two years for a full recovery.
Advantages of Arm Lift Surgery
Arm lifts can be an extremely rewarding plastic surgery procedure and well worth the wait to be able to finally look great in those sleeveless tops, sundresses and bathing suits once again. The results are a smoother, tighter contour of the arms, revealing a fabulous new individual!