All about arm lifting

With age, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. Plastic surgeons will discuss Arm Lifting with patients who want to tighten this skin and look as good as they feel. In some cases your plastic surgeon may suggest that liposuction be used alone or in conjunction with an Arm Lifting to remove excess fat in the upper arms.

With the rise of surgical procedures that aid in radical weight loss has come a corresponding demand for Arm Lifting. Of course, individuals who have had weight loss surgery are not the only patients who request or can benefit from Arm Lifting surgery.

Arm Lifting is a lengthy and somewhat complicated procedure compared to cosmetic surgery in other parts of the body. That's because the arm can accumulate more skin and fat by proportion.

More intense Arm Lifting surgery will use an incision placed in the crease of the armpit or down the inside of the arm. These incisions will be used to lift the skin, tighten the arms, remove excess fat and tighten arm ligaments. Following the Arm Lifting procedure, the skin is sutured shut and a pressure garment or elastic bandage is applied to promote healthy healing.

Patients will have limited use of their arms immediately following an Arm Lifting, but doctors discourage heavy lifting or even fully extending the arms for the first week or two after surgery.

After the procedure you will feel groggy. Your arm will be placed in a special compression garment to help the newly-sculpted skin adhere to the tissue underneath.

You will probably have several layers of stitches on the upper arm, possibly with a drain inserted to help the skin to adhere to the underlying tissue. Some of the stitches will be absorbable, and some may have to be removed by your during a follow-up visit. After a brief stay in the recovery room, you will be allowed to go home.

Arm Lifting patients will return a day or two after the procedure, and then usually again within two weeks for the removal of the sutures. During the first days and weeks after an Arm Lifting procedure, patients may be required to follow a special regimen of light exercise and stretching to prevent the loss of range of motion of the arms.

Arm Liftings, especially in combination with liposuction, can produce dramatic results in the contour of the arm. The scars resulting from an Arm Lifting are not considered "mature" until a year, or even two, after the surgery, and typically are not dramatic or even readily noticeable.

Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon for more detailed information about the benefits and risks of the Arm Lifting procedure.