Remove sagging skin from the underarms to reveal defined, slender, and youthful-looking upper arms.
Brachioplasty, or an arm lift, is an aesthetic surgical procedure performed to remove excess fat and skin prolapse (sagging) from the upper arms.
Skin laxity and sagging in the arms are primarily caused by:
The natural aging process, which reduces skin elasticity.
Significant or rapid weight loss.
In brachioplasty, the surgeon removes the hanging excess skin. If there are stubborn fat accumulations in the arm region, liposuction can be performed during the same session to contour the arm further.
Medications: If you are using anticoagulants (blood-thinning drugs), you must stop taking them 7 to 10 days prior to surgery, in consultation with your doctor.
Supplements: Inform your physician about all medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal teas (e.g., slimming teas) you consume, as some may have blood-thinning effects that could increase bleeding risks.
Allergies: Please inform your physician of any known drug or substance allergies.
Smoking: Patients are strongly advised to stop smoking at least three weeks before surgery to ensure proper healing.
Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol for one week prior to the surgery.
Fasting: You must be strictly fasting (no food or water) for at least six hours before the surgery.
Medical Records: Please bring any requested medical imaging (CT scans, Ultrasound, Mammography) with you to the hospital.
Personal Preparation: Do not wear makeup, nail polish, or jewelry/piercings to the surgery. Please leave valuables at home.
Brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Pre-operative screenings are necessary for safety and include:
Blood Work: Analysis of blood levels, liver function tests, renal (kidney) function tests, clotting values (coagulation tests), and testing for infectious diseases.
Imaging & Cardiac Health: Pulmonary X-rays are taken to investigate lung status, and an electrocardiography (ECG) is performed to assess heart rhythm and status.
Consultations: If the patient has a pre-existing medical condition, specific tests are ordered, and consultations with relevant medical specialists are established to ensure there are no factors that would prevent the surgery.
How long does Brachioplasty last? Brachioplasty usually lasts for one to two hours.
Following Brachioplasty, how many days is it necessary to be hospitalized?(Note: This was missing in your original text, so I have added the standard medical estimate below.) Brachioplasty is frequently performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can often return home the same day. In some cases, a single overnight stay may be required for monitoring.
How long does the recovery period last, and when can patients return to social and professional life?
Arm Use: People can generally begin using their arms for light activities five to six days after the surgery.
Professional Life: Returning to professional life may require ten to fifteen days, depending on the physical demands of the job.
What kind of scarring may persist after Brachioplasty? After brachioplasty, scars persist on the underside/lower back part of the arm, starting from the armpit (axilla) and extending toward the elbow.
Is it possible to eliminate the scars of Brachioplasty? The complete disappearance of surgical scars is not possible. Initially, the scars may be red and very apparent, but they tend to fade over time, lightening to a color closer to the surrounding skin and becoming less prominent. Revision procedures may be performed later to help minimize or shrink the appearance of the scars.