Arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty or arm tightening, is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin from the upper arm.

Men or women who have excess skin in the upper arm as a result of weight loss, or due to the natural effects of aging, may be good candidates for arm lift surgery.

Women who have had a mastectomy, or people who have recurring armpit infections or who sweat excessively, may not be good candidates for arm lift surgery.

Before having arm lift surgery, you will need to have a preoperative consultation with your surgeon. This consultation will include a physical examination and photographs for before and after comparisons.

The surgeon will review your treatment options and the possible risks and limitations of your surgery.

You will be given preoperative instructions as to what you can or cannot eat or drink before surgery, which medications you should take or avoid, and a list of things you will need to have on hand for your recovery. During your consultation, the surgeon will answer any questions you might have, so come to your appointment prepared.

Arm lift surgery may be performed under general anesthesia (which means that you will be given drugs through an IV to put you to sleep) or IV sedation (which means you will be given sedatives through an IV to help you relax).

Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed.

Incisions are placed on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm, depending on the surgeon’s preference, and may extend from the underarm to just above the elbow. If fat is to be removed, it is either cut out or removed with liposuction.

Underlying tissue is tightened and reshaped using internal sutures. The skin is then smoothed over the new contour of your arm.

Your incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures, or stitches that will be removed within 1-2 weeks after surgery.

You may be able to go home the day of your surgery, but you will need someone to drive you. During arm lift surgery recovery, your arms may be sore for several days. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication as needed.

You will probably have several layers of sutures. The sutures will be covered with adhesive strips, skin tape, and surgical gauze. Small amounts of oozing and bleeding are common.

Swelling will be mild to moderate, and peak at 2 to 3 days. Swelling can last for up to 3-6 months, but you should notice significant healing in about 10 to14 days.

Most people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks.

Arm lift scars are permanent, but will fade over time.

You may be required to wear a compression or other support garment (see below for post-surgical support garment options), and limit your activities for a few weeks following surgery.

Lift Compression (Support) Garments
In the days and weeks following arm lift surgery, your doctor may instruct you to purchase and wear an arm lift support garment. These are designed to help improve and increase blood circulation, rid your body of potentially harmful fluids, decrease your post surgery recovery time and reduce swelling. They also help the new skin fit the body’s contours allowing you to recover faster. To purchase an arm lift compression garment, click on the links below. Among your garment options are compression vests and post-surgical or compression bras. Each is available with either short or long sleeves.

These garments are typically worn immediately after your surgery. They are generally worn continuously for several weeks, so you may want to purchase more than one.

Contour® is America's 1^st choice in premium quality post-surgical compression garments for women and men. Contour® has 25 years of experience with design, fabric and craftsmanship so Contour® garments fit every subtle contour of the body, offering unprecedented comfort during the recovery process. ContourMD website also offers helpful information on recovery tips and sizing charts.

Although arm lift surgery is a relatively safe procedure, all surgery comes with some risk. Potential arm lift surgery risks may include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Poor wound healing
• Infection
• Reactions to anesthesia
• Scarring
• Asymmetry
• Changes in nerve sensation

Many of these complications can be avoided if you closely follow your surgeon’s instructions.

Arm lift surgery costs vary based on a number of factors including:

• Type of surgery
• Geographic location
• Facility fees
• Surgeon expertise and demand

Costs can range from about $3000 to about $8000

Talk Surgery, Inc. www.talksurgery.com

Information Superbrand, Inc. plasticsurgerypedia.com