“For the right person this can be a life changing procedure – letting a patient wear clothes showing her arms like she may have never done before.”
Trying to tighten and tone your arms without professional help is going to be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Even if you stay at a relatively healthy weight, the skin on your arms may eventually begin to sag. If that sounds like your own situation, then you might be the perfect candidate for an arm lift.
Toronto arm lift surgery or brachioplasty involves removing the extra hanging skin from the upper arm area, recontouring the shape to a more attractive appearance. Because aging and weight fluctuations can cause the arm to lose its sleek contour, an arm lift is typically done on patients who are in their latter years or have experienced significant weight loss.
TIGHTEN SKIN AND SMOOTH AWAY BULGES
SHOW OFF YOUR ARMS WITHOUT EMBARRASSMENT
SEE DR. KESARWANI, THE SURGEON WHO'LL PERFORM YOUR SURGERY, DURING YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION
What an Arm Lift Can Do
An arm lift eliminates a number of issues affecting the arms. This is what it can do for you:
- Tightens skin for a smoother contour
- Removes excess fat
- Creates a more proportionate arm shape, particularly after dramatic weight loss or aging
- Reduces the risk of irritation and inflammation caused by skin folds
- Improves muscular tone
Arm Lift Types
There are different types of surgical techniques implemented during the arm lift procedure, as well as different incision placements. Arm lifts are categorized by their incision.
Full Arm Lift / Traditional Arm Lift
This is the most commonly performed type of arm lift. It involves an incision from the armpit to the elbow so that fat and skin can be removed.
Extended Arm Lift
This involves a more extensive arm lift incision that runs from the armpit and just past the elbow. It is recommended for patients who require more extensive correction.
Short Scar Arm Lift
If fat and skin excess are limited to the uppermost arm, then a short scar arm lift is suitable.
If you’d like to learn more about the arm lift procedure, contact us now to book your confidential appointment with Dr. Kesarwani. Dr. Kesarwani will choose the incision that is right for you.
Dr. Kesarwani can also show you before and after arm lift photos from patients he has performed the procedure on previously, during your private brachioplasty surgery consultation.
Tens of thousands of brachioplasties are carried out every year, and that makes it one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in North America. The primary goal of a Toronto arm lift procedure is to tighten all of the soft tissue in the upper arms, from the shoulders to just above the elbows. That either involves removing fat, removing excess sagging skin, or both.
What About Exercising?
Weight training and a proper skincare regimen can keep your arms looking great, but you might not be able to avoid the accumulation of fat and skin excess forever. These cosmetic problems can develop regardless of how many pushups and pull-ups you do. Your genetics play a major role in the shape and layout of your arms. If your family members have loose skin and excess fat on their arms, then you could end up dealing with those issues as well.
Massive weight fluctuations can also be a factor.
Once the skin begins to sag, you will most likely need to consider professional treatment options. Exercising will build muscle in your arms, but it isn’t going to tighten your excess skin.
Ideal Arm Lift Candidate
We usually suggest that patients stay at a consistent weight for at least a year before considering any cosmetic procedures. Gaining or losing weight in a short period of time will impact the results of your Toronto arm lift surgery at our plastic surgery clinic. You also need to have realistic expectations about what an arm lift can accomplish.
A brachioplasty isn’t going to drastically change your appearance, but many patients find that they can enjoy wearing form fitting clothing again. The purpose of this procedure is to gently enhance your natural silhouette by tightening sagging skin and eliminating fat on your upper arms.
Realistic Expectations on Scarring
Please note that while the procedure does typically achieve the aesthetic goals of our patients, it does involve the creation of a scar on the underside of the upper arm skin. Depending on the extent of correction involved, this scar may be visible when wearing short sleeves (especially if you raise your arms.)
If you have good skin tone and are only concerned about stubborn fat in your upper arms rather than redundant skin, liposuction may be more suitable for you.
The Arm Lift Procedure
General anesthesia is typically administered during a traditional arm lift. One or more incisions are created, often in the upper arm and armpit area. The most common incision site is located in the underside of the upper arm skin. Through these incisions, excess fat and sagging skin are removed and underlying supportive tissue is modified.
Liposuction can also be performed, if necessary, to eliminate more excess fat.
All incisions are then closed and dressed.
Arm Lift Recovery and Results
Arm lifts are almost always carried out with a general anesthetic, and you will need to have a loved one ready to take you home after the surgery is complete. Their assistance may be needed for the first day or two after your surgery as well, since your arm mobility may be compromised.
Light walking around the house is a great way to keep moving and help with swelling. Arm mobility may be restricted in the days after this cosmetic procedure, but you’ll be able to do more as your recovery progresses. You may need to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling from any excess fluid that may accumulate. Bruising and swelling typically subside within a few weeks.
Skin sensation may be affected at this time, but it will return to normal once you’ve recovered.
It doesn’t take very long after surgery for many patients to be cleared by our cosmetic plastic surgeon and medical team to start exercising and following a normal routine again. This typically would be in about a month or so, depending on your recovery rate.
Taking Care of Post Operative Scars
Scars are a common occurrence following any type of invasive surgical procedure, including those performed in cosmetic surgery such as arm lifts. While the experience and skill of the practicing plastic surgeons is key to minimizing, and even eliminating, a resulting scar from a incision lines made during surgery, patients may also help in reducing the development of scars.
What is a scar?
A scar is formed when there is damage to tissue anywhere on the body, whether internally or externally. In the case of post operative scars, the damage is caused by an incision/invasive technique required to perform the procedure.
The body reacts to any damage to tissue by growing excess tissue that is referred to as “connective”. Connective tissue is one of the four primary types of tissue of the human body, and is quite fibrous. It can be soft or hard, like bone.
When connective tissue grows in response to damage, it is known as scar tissue. It is typical for scar tissue to be of poorer quality than the skin surrounding it. Hair and sweat glands are few or even non-existent, and the area is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
In the beginning, scars start off as red or pinkish. The incision line is quite noticeable, particularly when scabs are present.
Over the course of a few weeks, the skin remodels itself to support the closure of the incision, at the surface and within the underlying tissue. At this point, the incision has sealed shut and the skin continues to remodel itself to further strengthen this closure.
With proper care, the normal appearance of scar tissue can become almost invisible, blending in well with the colour and texture of the surrounding undamaged tissue. This type of barely visible scarring is considered ideal for patients who have undergone surgery, as it does not adversely affect the appearance and function of the treated area.
However, there are times when scar tissue does not blend in with the surrounding area. In this case, it may be noticeable by appearing bumpy, discoloured, and generally unappealing. When it is on the body in a place that is generally visible to others, such as the face, this can be troubling for most patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Arm Lift
How much does a arm lift cost?
The cost of an arm lift typically ranges from $8750 – $10,000 in Toronto, Ontario. This cost depends on several factors, including surgical facility fees, surgeon fees and medical staff fees.
What is a mini arm lift surgery?
A mini upper arm lift removes excess skin and fat in a limited area of the upper arm, typically in the area immediately surrounding the armpit and upper arm. The mini arm lift incision is shorter and remains well hidden because of its limited target area. Skin elasticity is improved and excess fat removed.
Is an arm lift painful to get rid of excess skin and fat?
The Toronto arm lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia at our plastic surgery clinic, so no pain or discomfort is felt during the surgery. You may experience some discomfort after surgery, once the anesthesia wears off. This can be controlled with prescription pain medication.
How long does it take to recover from an arm lift?
It depends on how much was done during your arm lift surgery. Plastic surgeons recommend that most patients need to take about 1-2 weeks off from work and avoid any physically strenuous activities for a month or two as you heal. A complete list of post-operative care instructions will be given to you. You may also need to wear a compression garment to improve your results and control swelling and bruising.
Can an arm lift be performed at the same time as another surgery?
Absolutely. Other body contouring procedures can be performed at the same time by plastic surgeons. Such procedures include a breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, thigh lift, or lower body lift. Combining procedures is quite common, particularly for patients who’ve experienced significant weight loss and have a lot of redundant skin all over their body. Having a private consultation with Dr. Kesarwani will allow you to determine whether combining procedures is safe for you.
Do arm lift scars fade?
Yes, Toronto arm lift scars should fade at the surgical site in the weeks and months following your surgery. Allow for up to a year for your scars to fully heal. During this time, make sure to follow the scar care instructions given to you and avoid exposing your scars to the sun. UV exposure can be detrimental, as it can permanently darken scars to make them more visible. We have found that CytoDerma™ is an essential part of post-treatment recovery to help scars fade as much as possible. You can read more about it here.
How do I get rid of bat wings on my upper arms?
Bat wings are the loose skin and fat that hang from your upper arms. Extra skin and fatty tissue can all be removed with an arm lift, also known as brachioplasty. For minor skin removal and excess fat elimination, non surgical options may be available as well.
Can you tone flabby arms with an arm lift?
Exercises and a proper diet can help tone flabby arms to a certain extent and improve your body contour. However, the more weight fluctuations you experience and the older you become, the harder it gets to tone your arms naturally. Significant weight loss can also cause excess skin. This is because tissues weaken with age and weight loss fluctuations, making it more difficult for excess skin to retract. For this reason, brachioplasty arm lift surgery may be your only option in toning flabby arms.
Will I need to wear a compression garment?
It is common for plastic surgeons to recommend patients wear a compression garment on their upper arms after surgery. This is typical for such procedures that involve skin tightening techniques. The garment is designed to control swelling and promote skin retraction. You may need to wear it for a few weeks.
Should I get liposuction or an arm lift?
Liposuction would be sufficient for patients with excess fat and good skin elasticity in their upper arms. The procedure is less complicated and typically involves a shorter recovery period. However, if any elasticity issues exist on the upper arms and armpit area, then an arm lift would be more suitable. This is because liposuction doesn’t tighten loose skin and can even make it worse!
What are the risks of an arm lift?
The standard arm lift risks include the following: anesthesia risks, excessive fluid accumulation (seroma and hematoma), numbness, blood clots, infection and poor wound healing. It is important to follow Dr. Kesarwani’s instructions to help with the healing process and reduce the risk of potential complications.