Who Benefits From Arm Lift Surgery?

August 21, 2018


Arm lift patient

Arm lift patientThough statistics may suggest that arm lifts are less popular than many other plastic surgeries, the only reason they are performed less frequently is because of their specificity. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is intended to reduce the appearance of excess skin and fat on the arms, particularly the upper arms. Since the procedure focuses on such a particular area, it is also incredibly effective for its intended purposes and has a high rate of safety and satisfaction. Arm lift surgeries are highly customizable and can be appropriate for a wide range of patients with the right set of concerns. If you have been wondering if there is a way to reduce loose skin and fat on your upper arms, you might benefit from an arm lift surgery.

What is an Arm Lift?

Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes extra skin and fat from the upper arm, reducing the overall circumference of the upper arm and reducing the appearance of upper arm “flab.” If you bend your arm at the elbow in a flexing movement and you notice sagging beneath your upper arm, this is the area that an arm lift will address- the so called “bat wings.” Using precise incisions and sutures that will leave minimal scarring, your surgeon can excise loose skin and fat in the area to create a tighter upper arm that no longer sags. Arm lifts are relatively short and simple procedures, typically taking under two hours to perform and rarely resulting in any significant complications. Since the area in question is not particularly sensitive, this surgery is a safe and straightforward way to address upper arm laxity.

That being said, a brachioplasty is still a surgical procedure. The ideal arm lift candidate is in good health — a non-smoker with a BMI under 30 and no known blood conditions. These parameters ensure that you won’t be at risk for excessive bleeding or blood clotting during and after your surgery. Aside from these criteria, there are two main groups of people who typically benefit most from arm lift surgeries: those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight, and those whose skin has begun to sag due to age.

Arm Lift After Significant Weight Loss

Healthy skin is usually quite elastic — through moderate weight fluctuations, pregnancy or injury, the skin can typically expand and contract along with changes in body shape. But on the extreme end of these cases, the skin can stretch to a point where it is unable to shrink down. The most common reason for stretched skin is when people lose a considerable amount of weight — perhaps even hundreds of pounds — and find themselves with saggy skin in areas like the stomach, thighs or arms. For this group of people, the excess skin can be a major source of concern. It is usually heavy and unsightly and can prevent them from wearing certain clothes or exercising comfortably.

Many people in this situation choose to undergo plastic surgery to have the skin removed so they can take full advantage of their new body size. An arm lift is one such surgery that might make sense. Upper arm weight loss can leave bags of skin that hang down even when the arm is in a resting position, making it difficult to fit into shirts with sleeves while also causing self-consciousness in arm-baring clothing. A brachioplasty will remove this skin and allow the arms to appear proportional to the rest of the body.

Arm Lift for Aging Arms

Time and gravity are two other culprits when it comes to sagging arms. Younger skin is more able to hold its shape — essential skin structures like collagen and elastin are abundant in younger years and ensure that skin stays volumized and flexible. But over time, these structures begin to break down and the body produces less of them. This leads to a loss of skin elasticity, which makes skin more susceptible to losing its shape and firmness. Pockets of fat in the area may also begin to droop and weigh heavily on weakened skin. As gravity ever so slightly pulls down day-to-day, eventually the skin and fat start to noticeably sag. When this occurs on the upper arm, it can lead to bags that droop down from the bicep area. For many people, these bags affect their confidence and daily comfort.

An arm lift is one of the most effective ways to reverse this and restore tightness to the skin of the upper arm. And, since an arm lift is a relatively simple surgery, it can be appropriate even for patients of a more advanced age — though you will need to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to be sure.

Arm Lift Recovery

The final consideration to be sure that an arm lift is right for you is to think about how the surgery and recovery will impact your lifestyle. Arm lift recovery typically takes about two weeks, and it can be a month or more before you can resume activities that might strain your arms. If you have an active job, take care of pets or small children or otherwise use your arms on a daily basis, you may want to wait until you are able to dedicate plenty of time to healing before you choose to undergo brachioplasty.

The best way to know if you will benefit from an arm lift is by scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. During this in-person meeting, you will be able to discuss every aspect of your health and lifestyle that is relevant to the surgery. Based on this information, your surgeon will recommend a procedure that is appropriate for you, whether that is an arm lift or otherwise. If you are interested in an arm lift in Cedar Rapids or Coralville, Iowa, or the surrounding areas, reach out to Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kahlil Andrews is an expert plastic surgeon who can provide a full range of cosmetic procedures. Our team is here to guide you along your aesthetic journey and help you get back to feeling confident in your body. Contact us today at 319-800-6877 to make your first appointment.

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
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2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
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2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

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2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
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2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
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2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

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Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
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Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

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I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

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With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
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2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
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