Arm Lift

Other names

• Arm plastic
• Brachioplasty
• Arm dermolipectomy
• Brachial dermolipectomy

Brief description

After great weight reduction, alternating periods of weight gain and loss, or due to ageing, it is common to develop a flabby “bulging” in the posterior arm side. Since the skin here is relatively thin, it does not shrink enough after a weight loss, leading to a local skin excess.

The arm lift aims to remove this skin excess, providing a more natural and less flabby arm contour. It removes the skin and subcutaneous fat (accumulated immediately under the skin). In some cases, it may be combined with a local liposuction in order to remove more fat.

The scars

The scar from an arm lift is located next to the axillary fold (armpit fold). In case of great skin excess, a vertical scar extending throughout the inner side of the arm is also required, which extent may be greater or smaller depending on the amount of skin excess to be removed. A scar stretch is common due to the location and fine skin quality.

Postoperative period

The temporary appearance (swelling, insensitivity, scar transitions, etc.), though temporary, can lead to anxiety by some patients. However, it must be clear that no result should be deemed definitive before 6 to 18 months after surgery.

You should avoid excessive movements, especially raising arms, for 30 days, since the scar is in the armpit and on the arm inner side. The lower the traction on the scar, the less its stretch.

Possible but extremely unusual complications are: hematoma, seroma, infection, necrosis, dehiscence (wound reopening), keloids and abnormal sensitivity.