Brachioplasty is an arm lift that is done to minimize sagging skin, tighten the skin and reshape the under part of the upper arm. This is more commonly done in individuals that are older or who have recently lost a good deal of weight and are now dealing with excessive and drooping skin of the arms. With brachioplasty, the incision starts at your underarm and ends at your elbow, skin is tightened, resulting in a more toned appearance. Here are some things to know about the brachioplasty procedure.
About the Surgery
The arm lift procedure lasts about 2-3 hours in total. You will receive general anesthesia. After the operation is done, you can expect to remain in the hospital overnight. Discomfort after coming off 
of anesthesia is usually mild, and you will experience some side effects like soreness of your arm, bruising, and swelling. A compression garment is required to be worn for several weeks.
Recovery
The first thing to remember about recovery is that you are going to have some swelling, which will go down best following of your doctor’s post-surgery recommendations. Another thing to be aware of is that you will have a scar. To perform the procedure, an incision is done underneath the arm where the skin was removed and tightened. While it is a visible scar, most patients are not bothered by it since their original problem is corrected. You should still be realistic about the results before agreeing to this procedure. During the recovery period, you will be asked to wear a compression garment around your arm for about two weeks, and should take any prophylactic antibiotics or pain medications prescribed to you. Within a few weeks, you will feel normal and be back to your daily activities.
Risks and Side Effects
Take some time to learn about the potential risks or side effects. With any surgery, infection, bruising, bleeding and swelling are all risks. If you are overweight, have diabetes or smoke cigarettes, you have a higher risk of certain complications. Some other possible risks include numbness in the area, nerve compression, and visible scarring. If you notice any signs of complications, such as infection, you should consult your doctor right away.
If you want to discuss any cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures including brachioplasty, then please call us at Pure Aesthetics on 9252 9262, or contact us for an appointment to see our Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Steve Merten.
