Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, can address a variety of common concerns associated with one’s body contour. Often resulting from the natural aging process, or a dramatic weight loss, our patients desire a sleeker, more toned aesthetic when they find the skin around their arms has lost its elasticity, or stubborn fat deposits just won’t disappear regardless of diet and exercise.

When to consider an Arm Lift
• If you’ve got flab, stretch marks or excess skin in your arms that does not improve with diet or exercise.
• If the shape of your arms has been affected by pregnancy or massive weight loss.
• If you feel that your arms are unattractive.
• If your self-confidence is marred by your arms contour.

What are the risks?

Arm reduction is relatively difficult surgery. The difficulty primarily lies in the ability to judge the amount of excision and adequately hide the scars. It should therefore be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. All surgery involves a degree of bleeding. In the vast majority of cases, this is minimal and easily controlled during the procedure itself. In a small percentage of patients, there may be a more significant collection of blood that may even require a return to the operating theatre to remove it.

Meticulous steps are taken before, during and after the surgery to ensure that the risk of infection is minimal. However, the risk of infection can never be completely eradicated. In a few cases, the incision can become red and inflamed. This usually settles down with simple antibiotics.

All surgery involves the formation of scars. The incision scars will be raised and pink for the first few months, but will usually settle into fine white lines after several months. In some cases the scars can remain raised and pink. The aim of the surgery is to hide the scars within the inside of the arm. The scars will be visible, however, when the arm is lifted up away from the body.

There will be some change in sensation to the inner arm skin. In most cases it will feel somewhat numb, but may even be overly sensitive. This usually settles down after a few months. In very few, however, the change can be permanent

Since the surgery involves the armpit area, it can be difficult to keep it clean and dry and so there can be delayed healing in some areas. This is usually not a problem and settles down with simple dressings.

The surgery is close to the lymph nodes that drain the arm. The fluid that these lymphatics produces can gather in the arm (seroma) and may need drainage in the outpatient department. It is possible, although extremely rare, that damage to these lymphatics can cause swelling in the arm (lymphoedema). In the unlikely event that this occurs, it usually settles on its own. In a very few cases, it can be permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions