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any people value a youthful look. When skin begins to sag due to age or weight loss, people may feel self-conscious about their appearance. One common area of the body where this happens is the upper arms.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) reshapes the body with reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, including brachioplasty (arm lift) procedures, near you in northern New Jersey. Expert cosmetic surgery can remove excess skin, reduce sagging, and restore a more natural, youthful look that patients will feel proud of.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) at a Glance

• Brachioplasty, also called an arm lift, is a procedure to reduce sagging skin of the upper arms.
• Brachioplasty is most often recommended for patients who are at a stable weight and who have loose skin of the upper arms due to age or weight loss.
• Brachioplasty restores a smooth, tight, and youthful appearance to the arm and can improve the patient’s self-esteem and body image.
• Patients interested in brachioplasty surgery can contact CNSO to schedule a consultation.

What Is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

A brachioplasty, also called an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the upper arm. Age, fluctuations in weight, and genetic factors can create folds of excess skin and fat that hang loosely from the upper arms. This creates a drooping or sagging appearance that many people find unappealing, and that cannot be corrected through exercise.

During a brachioplasty, the plastic surgeon reduces excess skin and fat pockets in the upper arm. He then tightens the underlying supportive tissue to create a cleaner, more well-defined shape for the arm. Brachioplasty can be performed alone as an isolated procedure or as part of a more comprehensive body contouring process, which addresses multiple areas of the body.

Who Is a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

The ideal candidate for a brachioplasty is in good health, does not smoke, is not significantly overweight, and is stable in regard to overall weight. The surgery addresses loose or excess skin that hangs from the arm. There are many reasons for loose skin to develop, including:

• Natural aging
• Major weight loss
• Bariatric surgery
• Liposuction
• Genetic factors

Correcting loose skin can help patients feel more confident in their bodies. It may also help clothing fit better, improving the patient’s everyday comfort and quality of life.

Brachioplasty is not a weight loss procedure, and it should not be performed on somebody whose weight is not stable. If the patient regains or loses a large amount of weight, then the skin may stretch again and reverse the effects of the procedure. Brachioplasty should also not be performed on somebody who smokes tobacco. Smoking can interfere with the body’s ability to heal, so patients should stop smoking before surgery to prevent complications.

Types of Brachioplasty Surgery

Plastic surgeons use a variety of techniques for brachioplasty depending on the desired results and the degree of skin looseness, or skin laxity, to be corrected. Patients discuss their options with the surgeon before deciding. Types of brachioplasty include:

• Traditional brachioplasty: The incision runs from the armpit to the elbow. It delivers dramatic improvements for patients with moderate to severe skin laxity.
• Extended brachioplasty: The incision extends along the chest wall. The surgeon removes more tissue for a comprehensive reshaping effect but leaves a larger scar.
• Mini brachioplasty: The incision is shorter and hidden within the natural crease of the armpit. It provides a more subtle effect, but with less scarring.

Brachioplasty can be performed alone or with liposuction. Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to exercise. By removing the fat and tightening the skin, this combined procedure delivers the most noticeable results. It is commonly recommended for patients who have large amounts of both fat and skin to be removed.

The Arm Lift Procedure: What to Expect

Before having brachioplasty surgery, patients meet with CNSO’s plastic surgeon, Dr. Hakan Kutlu. They discuss the patient’s goals for surgery, the limitations of the procedure, and how patients should prepare. Preparation instructions typically include:

• Getting lab tests to evaluate overall health
• Stopping smoking, if the patient smokes
• Pausing certain medications, such as blood thinners
• Eating well-balanced and nutritious meals
• Planning transportation to and from the hospital

On the day of surgery, patients should wear comfortable clothing. They will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown. They will be evaluated by an anesthesiologist and nursing staff. A sedative or anesthesia is used to keep the patient relaxed or asleep while the surgeon performs the following steps:

1. He makes an incision along the inside or back of the arm.
2. He removes excess skin using strategic surgical incisions.
3. If necessary, he removes excess fat deposits using liposuction.
4. He tightens the underlying supportive tissue and reshapes it with internal sutures.
5. He pulls the skin together and closes the incision with stitches.

How long the procedure takes depends on the type of brachioplasty and whether any other procedures are being performed. Afterward, patients are taken to a recovery room to wake up from anesthesia. Most patients can go home the same day, though a short hospital stay may be recommended if multiple procedures were performed.

Brachioplasty Recovery and Results

Most patients feel sore after an arm lift. Pain relief medication can be used to reduce discomfort while the surgical sites heal. Dressings may be applied to the incisions, and the arms may be wrapped in elastic bandages or a compression garment to reduce swelling. There may also be a thin drainage tube placed under the skin. Patients are given instructions on how to care for the surgical site, dressings, and drains until the incisions heal completely.

Patients notice immediate improvement in their appearance after brachioplasty. These results will improve over time as the arms heal and the swelling resolves. The scars will also fade over the next year, though they will not completely disappear. There will always be some visible scarring.

Find Arm Lift Surgery Near You in New Jersey

Arm lift (brachioplasty) surgery can restore a smooth, youthful appearance that has been lost due to age and weight loss. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics offers brachioplasty and other cosmetic surgeries at CNSO’s Morristown, NJ, location. Interested individuals can contact CNSO today to schedule their personalized consultation and find out whether an arm lift is right for them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

How long does brachioplasty surgery take?

Brachioplasty surgery typically takes between two and three hours, though it may take longer if additional cosmetic procedures are performed.

Will there be noticeable scars after an arm lift?

Yes. Though scars from an arm lift will fade over time, they never go away completely. Mini brachioplasty procedures make the scars less noticeable by hiding them in the crease of the armpit.

Is brachioplasty permanent?

Brachioplasty is permanent. If the patient’s weight fluctuates significantly after surgery, however, their skin may stretch and loosen again.

What is the difference between brachioplasty and liposuction for arm fat removal?

Liposuction removes deposits of stubborn fat in the arms. Brachioplasty, meanwhile, focuses on removing and tightening loose skin.

How soon can I return to work after brachioplasty surgery?

Patients can usually return to work within a week after surgery, depending on the type of work that they do.