Arm Lift in Scottsdale, AZ

More information about surgery after Brachioplasty / Upper Arm Lift, including more before and after pics, is available by clicking here.

Whether it is due to weight changes and/or pregnancy, or just loss of elasticity (stretchiness) of the skin over the years, women will sometimes get "bat wings", those loose, hanging flaps of skin from the upper arm.

If there is only some extra fat, then the fat can be reduced using liposuction, the removal of localized fat through small incisions. However, when there is extra skin, optimal improvement will likely require removal of some of that skin.

Removal of skin is always accompanied by a scar, and sometimes the scar in the upper arm can look good for a while but then spread. Fortunately, we can generally put the scar in the inner portion of the upper arm, where it is less noticable.

Through the years, we have tried to limit the length of the scar, but as in other areas of plastic surgery, reducing the length of the scar reduces the amount of improvement available.

Dr. James Nachbar, a Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgeon, is very skilled in skin tightening and fat removal surgical techniques, and he provides private consultations for surgical arm lifts.

If you would like to learn more about how an upper arm lift can alter the contour of your arms, please schedule a consultation at Scottsdale Plastic Surgery today.

At Scottsdale Plastic Surgery, patients who choose arm lifts can experience several significant benefits after their surgery:

• Reducing rubbing, chafing, and soreness in the chest and arm areas
• Improving the look of excess skin due to dramatic weight loss or getting older
• Targeting areas that seem to be resistant to physical activity or healthy eating
• Enhanced self-image and satisfaction when picking out clothing

Typically, your upper arm lift surgery will take place in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia, unless several plastic surgeries are scheduled to be performed at the same time, in which case an overnight stay may be involved.

The sagging skin will be surgically excised from the elbow up to the underarm. The incision will be made to be as concealed as possible, but it will leave a visible scar. If liposuction is required to remove stubborn fat, this will be performed as well. Once the skin is tightened, it will be sutured in place. You will need to keep the incisions sanitized, covered, and in compression garments.

An arm lift can be added to other procedures, like a Post-Baby Tune-Up® Mommy Makeover, No-Drain Tummy Tuck, or thigh lift — if Dr. Nachbar decides it is safe. If a breast reduction or breast lift is planned or has been done, the incision for the arm lift can be connected to that from the breast surgery, to also tighten the tissue of the side of the chest.

Your should expect that the hands may become somewhat swollen due to tightening of the upper arm skin.  This can be minimized by elevating the arms and hands on pillows above the level of your chest.

The dressing used may vary, but most often involves gauze wrap without an Ace wrap.