Learn More About Arm Lift Surgery
Skin laxity of the upper arms can occur for many reasons, including significant weight loss and the natural process of aging. For many patients, this results in self-consciousness when wearing certain outfits because of “wings” of fat that become visible. Diet and exercise don’t always address this, because laxity can be caused by stubborn fat or excess skin, both of which can require an invasive procedure.
An arm lift procedure, called brachioplasty, can be performed by our experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Shienbaum. This invasive procedure reduces excess, sagging skin and tightens the underlying supportive tissue that define the shape of the upper arm. It also reduces any localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region for a trimmer and more flattering silhouette.
Brandon Plastic Surgery is one hour from Winter Haven, 15 minutes from Riverview and 51 Minutes from Lakeland.
Although many patients opt for a surgical arm lift procedure, we offer additional techniques for minimally-invasive procedures. During your consultation, Dr. Shienbaum can discuss the right one for you.
During this surgical procedure, Dr. Shienbaum removes a large amount of skin and fatty tissue using an incision that extends from the armpit to the elbow. This is the most effective option for patients with significant amounts of excess skin and fat carried on the whole upper arm.
In order to avoid large incisions, this procedure is sometimes used with liposuction. A hidden arm-lift, also called the limited incision brachioplasty, involves a surgical incision that can be made in the natural crease of the armpit. This procedure can be an effective option for patients with a moderate amount excess of fat who are concerned about visible scarring.
For more control and contouring, Vaser liposuction can be used to reshape the arm for some patients. It requires a small incision and short recovery time. Liposuction methods to slim the arm typically work best for patients who retain a certain level of good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin.
This new minimally-invasive, ground-breaking outpatient procedure combines both Vaser Ultrasonic and BodyTite Radiofrequency heat and energy to sculpt tighter arms. ArmTite is a minimally-invasive surgery performed using local anesthesia. The BodyTite system utilizes radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, which eases the removal of fat while tightening loose skin for a better contour and shape to arm.
Your recovery will highly depend on which type procedure is performed, but Dr. Shienbaum will explain during your consultation what to expect during recovery, and when you can return to exercise and work after your procedure. Compression garments and wraps will need to be worn to help minimize swelling and to help the skin adhere to the new contours. Swelling, redness, and bruising may occur. Following your arm lift procedure, you will need to rest and recover for a couple days or weeks, depending on your procedure.
Making the decision to have an arm lift, like most surgeries, is an important personal decision. However, learning more about the procedure, results, and recovery from an experienced plastic surgeon can help you make that decision. If you are interested in this procedure, we encourage you to call Brandon Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shienbaum. Our office is located in the Tampa Bay Area within a convenient distance from Brandon, Riverview, Lakeland, and Tampa. To find Brandon Plastic Surgery, our office is 51 Minutes from Lakeland, one hour from Winter Haven and 48 minutes from Bradenton.
Patients with underarm laxity who have lost a large amount of weight can often benefit from this procedure, since this extra skin usually occurs as a result of the stretching of the tissues and contours of the arm. For this reason, an arm lift is usually part of a larger body contouring procedure, but can also be performed on its own. Good candidates are nonsmokers who are committed to a healthy diet and lifestyle. They should also have realistic expectations about what an arm lift can achieve, and should also be at a stable weight, since additional weight gain or loss can affect the results. A consultation with Dr. Shienbaum can help to determine if this procedure is right for you.