Liposuction may be sufficient enough for people with smooth skin and just a small amount of flab. The more invasive total arm lift procedure may benefit people with larger areas of fat underneath the arms, poor skin quality and sun damaged skin.
To perform an upper arm lift, Dr. Hart will make incisions on the inside or back of your arm. Incisions may span from the underarm to just above the elbow. Some people may only require minimal incisions from the area where the inner, upper arm joins the armpit. This is known as a minimal incision arm lift.
You may be a candidate for a minimal incision arm lift if you have a small amount of extra skin located near the armpit. Others, such as people who have lost massive amounts of weight following bariatric surgery, may have more excess skin and will need an incision that runs from the elbow, along the arm pit and onto the side of the chest. Your incision pattern will vary based on the extent of the surgery and your surgeon's preferred method of treatment.
After the incision is
made, excess fat may be
removed with
liposuction. Excessive
skin is then trimmed,
tightened and sutured in
place with absorbable
sutures, or stitches
that will be removed
within one or two weeks
of the surgery. Your
skin is then smoothed
over the new contour of
your arm.
Recovering From Your Arm Lift
While there is some swelling and bruising, your new trim and toned arm will be apparent almost immediately after your arm lift. You may feel some mild discomfort right after the procedure. Your surgeon can prescribe prescription pain medication to help alleviate this pain.
Swelling peaks two to three days after your arm lift, typically dissipating within two weeks. Elevating your arm with pillows can help reduce swelling and increase comfort during recovery.
Dressings are typically applied to the incision. Many of the stitches will dissolve, but those that are not self-absorbing are usually removed within a week. Your surgeon may prescribe a compression garment to allow the skin to adhere to underlying tissues.
You can shower one week
after the procedure, and
most people can go back
to work two to three
weeks after the
procedure. Your surgeon
will likely tell you to
avoid any strenuous
exercise for one month,
and to avoid heavy
lifting for at least six
weeks. Individual
instructions vary.