Although statistics may indicate that arm lifts are less common than many other plastic surgeries, the only reason they are performed is their specificity and targeting of a specific area. Arm lift surgery aims to reduce the appearance of excess skin and fat on the arms, especially the upper arms. Because the procedure focuses on a specific area, it is also incredibly effective for its intended purposes and has a high rate of safety and satisfaction.
Arm lift surgery is highly customizable and can be suitable for a wide range of patients with a range of concerns. If you’re wondering if there is a way to reduce loose skin and fat on your upper arms, you may benefit from an arm lift at Turkiyaholidays International Center.
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What is the arm lift procedure and who is it suitable for?
The arm lift is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, reduces the overall circumference of the arm and reduces the appearance of upper arm fat. If you bend your arm at the elbow in a normal motion and notice sagging under your upper arm, this is the area that an arm lift and a so-called bat wing lift will treat.
Using fine incisions and sutures that will leave minimal scarring, the surgeon can excise loose skin and fat in the area to create a taut upper arm and remove any drooping.
Arm lift surgery is relatively short and simple, usually takes less than two hours, and rarely leads to any major complications. Because the involved area is not particularly sensitive, this surgery is a safe and straightforward way to treat shoulder luxation.
However, an arm lift is still a surgical procedure. The ideal arm lift candidate should be in good health, a non-smoker, have a body mass index of less than 30 and have no known blood diseases. These signs ensure that you are not at risk of excessive bleeding or blood clotting during and after surgery.
Apart from these criteria, there are two main groups of people who usually benefit the most from arm lift surgeries, and they are those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight, and those whose skin has started to sag due to age.
Arm lift after significant weight loss
Healthy skin is usually very elastic. Through moderate weight fluctuations, pregnancy or injury, the skin can expand and contract with changes in body shape. But at the extreme end of these cases, the skin can stretch to a point where it can no longer contract.
The most common cause of tight skin is when people lose a significant amount of weight, perhaps even tens of kilograms and find themselves with loose skin in areas such as the stomach, thighs or arms. For this group of people, excess skin can be a major concern. This area is usually bumpy and unsightly in appearance and can prevent them from wearing certain clothes or exercising comfortably.
Many people in this situation choose to undergo skin removal surgery so they can take full advantage of their new body size.
An arm lift is one such surgical procedure that may make sense. Losing weight in the upper arm can leave bags of skin that sag even when the arm is at rest, making it difficult to wear sleeveless shirts while also causing a sense of disproportion. the body when wearing protective clothing from the arms.
An arm lift will remove this skin and allow the arms to appear in proportion to the rest of the body.
Arm stretching for the elderly
Age and gravity are the other two culprits when it comes to sagging arms. Young skin is better able to maintain its shape, so the percentages of collagen and elastin are abundant in the young years and ensure that the skin remains plump and elastic.
But over time, these structures begin to break down and the body produces less of them. This results in a loss of skin elasticity, making the skin more likely to lose its shape and firmness. Pockets of fat in the area may also begin to sag and overburden the weakened skin. As gravity decreases slightly day by day, skin and fat eventually begin to sag noticeably.
When this occurs in the upper arm, it can lead to cysts hanging from the biceps area of the arm. For many people, these fatty pouches affect their confidence and daily comfort.
An arm lift is one of the most effective ways to reverse this and restore the skin of the upper arm. Since an arm lift is a relatively minor surgery, it may be suitable even for patients of a more advanced age, although you will need to make an appointment to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to confirm your condition.
Types of arm lift
The difficulty with upper arm skin is that almost the only treatment involves surgery. Women will very seriously go to the gym to try and tone their upper arms with exercises and weight lifting but it doesn’t always make much difference in this area.
Once loose skin appears, the only way to treat it is through surgical removal. Occasionally, an arm lift with the heaviest skin weight can help if the skin color and quality are good.
However, when the skin needs to be removed, a certain amount of scarring will be necessary as opposed to improving the upper arm circumference.
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia either as a day case or as an overnight stay in the hospital. The type of surgery required depends on the extent of the problem.
The type and design of arm lift depends on the nature of the problem. In general, the more sagging skin is removed, the more extensive the scars will be to get an ideal result.
Liposuction of the arms
It is indicated in people with heavy, full arms and not necessarily loose skin, whose skin quality is appropriate, and there is not much excess skin.
Liposuction works by removing excess fat from the arm, thus reducing the circumference of the arm and creating a slimmer figure. Very small scars of only 3-4 mm in length are used to access the humerus fat using a thin liposuction cannula.
Bruising can last 10 to 14 days, and swelling can last up to 6 weeks. The outcome is likely to improve further over 3-6 months. Patients are usually asked to wear an elastic garment for a period of time to help with swelling and aid recovery.
Recovery is fast with very little downtime and full activity can be resumed when bruising has disappeared.
Limited arm lift
A limited arm lift is indicated for those who have a modest amount of loose skin on the upper arm that does not extend towards the elbow. In such cases, the skin is removed in the form of an ellipse in the armpit, leaving a well-hidden scar that can only be seen with an arm lift.
It is often combined with liposuction so that both volume and skin can be removed for best results.
The wound in the armpit usually takes about two weeks to heal and sometimes it is accompanied by light bruising during this period. It is common for the wound to feel tight during the healing process because the armpit is very mobile during activity.
Patients are warned of minor injuries and delayed healing in this area as well as dense scars that may take time to resolve.
Recovery is usually fairly quick with a return to activity after wound healing, however, full recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks to allow wounds to fully heal.
Patients are advised to take care of scars in order to speed up the healing process over time.
Full arm lift
This is the most extensive technique and is indicated in people who have a large amount of loose skin all over the upper arm that often extends towards the elbow. In such cases, liposuction techniques or limited scarring will not be sufficient to deal with the excess skin.
The surgery involves removing the skin from the armpit towards the elbow while keeping the incision line on the inside of the arm in order to keep it as confidential as possible. Liposuction may also be used at the same time to reduce excess fat.
Patients should be aware of the scarring in this procedure and that it is necessary in order to produce an improved arm profile in those with significant amounts of loose skin.
Bandages and clothing are used in the initial stages to comfort and aid recovery. Wound healing takes about two weeks and patients are advised to reduce their activity during this period until the wound heals. One week off or a little longer vacation is recommended for those with larger physical jobs.
Return to full activity between 4 and 6 weeks depending on recovery. Patients are warned that complications from minor wounds are not uncommon and can be easily managed with simple procedures. There may be areas of numbness in the upper arm that can last for some time.
The scar can also take some time to settle as it is subject to the stress and strain of daily arm movement. It may take 6 to 12 months before the scars become softer, thinner, and blend more closely with the surrounding skin.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your upper arms, your surgeon will gladly advise you on the most appropriate intervention, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. As with all areas of plastic surgery, realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of the procedure are essential to achieving a good outcome.
Arm lift surgery cost
The total arm liposuction cost depends on a number of factors including how extensive the surgery will be and if the procedure has to be performed as part of a combination procedure. It is best to have the cost related to a consultation with one of the specialized surgeons at the Turkiyaholidays Center so that the cost estimation process is informed.
Mostly, the cost of arm lift surgery ranges between 2000 to 4000 dollars in most cases. But also, you should keep in mind that the arm lift is one of the procedures that is not large and that takes place in a large time, and you can return to work as soon as possible.
How to perform an arm lift
It is important to realize that after an arm lift, there will be a scar, although this scar usually fades over time and leaves a separate pale white line. The scar usually extends from the armpit to just above the elbow.
The length of the scar depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. The aesthetic outcome of a scar depends mainly on individual factors, and it is generally recommended to cover the scar with surgical tape for up to 6 months.
It is also recommended to listen to your body’s signals, as the healing process is individual.
At first, the advice would be to avoid exercise and other physical activities than hiking. Always use a high sun protection if you must expose the scar to the sun.
On the day of your procedure, you will arrive at the hospital in a fasted state. Before surgery, you will meet with your surgeon again and he or she will determine the site for your surgery. An arm lift can be performed either under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia, depending on the extent of liposuction and skin removal needed. In some cases, the procedure may also involve tightening the tissues and muscles under the skin with internal sutures.
As mentioned, skin elasticity varies in different areas. For example, the skin on the neck and chin has good contraction properties, but the skin on the inside of your arm is less so. This means that the effectiveness of liposuction can also vary but for some younger women the result of liposuction can be as good as that achieved with a skin excision.
Most patients who seek advice about this problem also have sagging, an excess of skin. To achieve improvement, an incision must be made on the inside of the arm and excess skin removed. This procedure is usually called an inner arm lift or arm abdominoplasty.
After the arm lift surgery and the recovery period
Most of our patients who have arm lift surgery will need to stay overnight in the hospital. They will be taken care of by professionals with extensive experience in this surgical procedure like all the specialists of the Turkiyaholidays International Center. You will usually need to wear an elastic support bandage from your hand to your armpit. Upon discharge, you will be given an appointment for your first postoperative visit for aesthetic evaluation, but patients are welcome to contact us prior to this if they have any concerns.
Many patients experience swelling in the lower arm and hand, although this usually goes away a couple of days after the operation. For the first few days after the operation, you will need to keep your arms as elevated as possible, lying on a bed with your hands on pillows. Most patients can return to sedentary work after about a week and have their stitches removed after about 10 days. The main risk with arm lift surgery is that the scar is more visible than expected. This is why post-operative scar care is extremely important in order to achieve a good result.
The decision to have an arm lift is very personal and you need to decide whether the benefits will achieve your goals and whether the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks and complications. Some of the risks of an arm lift include:
- Inappropriate scarring
- Bleeding
- infection
- fluid buildup
- Anesthesia risks
- Poor wound healing
- skin loss
- blood clots
- Numbness or other changes in sensation of the skin on the forearm
- Skin discoloration or prolonged swelling
- asymmetry
- Separation of the main wound
- Fat tissue deep in the skin may die off and this is called fat necrosis
- Pain, which may continue
- Deep vein thrombosis, heart and pulmonary complications
- Stitches may spontaneously emerge through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that requires removal
These and other risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon. It’s normal to feel some anxiety, whether it’s the excitement of the expected results or the stress before surgery. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon and when you go home. If you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or an unusual heartbeat, seek medical attention right away. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although expected results are good, there is no guarantee. In some cases, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with one surgical procedure and another surgery may be required.