Brachioplasty

When men and women are asked about the areas of their bodies they feel most self-conscious about, one of the most common answers is their upper arms. Whether you’ve lost weight or are getting older, you may notice the skin of the upper arm begins to sag. This is often referred to as “bat wings” due to the excess skin draping down. It can make it difficult to wear your favorite shirts because of the way that your arms look. For others, this skin can even get in the way of feeling comfortable, especially during the summertime when it’s hotter. A brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, can help to tighten and tone this area of the body.

What is a Brachioplasty?

A brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that tightens the skin underneath the arms. This eliminates the look of loose, hanging skin, which are sometimes called bat wings. The procedure is done quickly in-office, normally taking just two hours from start to finish. Unfortunately, exercises and weight training may not be enough to get rid of this loose skin, causing the need for medical intervention. The skin is often loose and hanging, which exercise is unable to remedy on its own. Brachioplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures because of how many people have problems with their upper arms.

Reasons You May Need a Brachioplasty

The skin of your arms may hang because of a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons for hanging skin in this area is due to age. As you age, the skin isn’t as thick and resilient as it was when you were younger. This, paired with the effects of gravity, results in arms that are sagging and embarrassing. Weight loss can also have an impact on the way that your arms look. It’s not uncommon for people who have recently had gastric bypass surgery for obesity to want or need a Brachioplasty for their arms. Likewise, someone who has lost weight on their own may want the procedure to improve their appearance and self-confidence. One of the most common side effects of losing weight is loose skin, which can appear on all areas of the body.

Having a Brachioplasty can help improve your self-esteem and get you feeling better about your appearance. If you’ve spent years covering up your arms with sweaters, jackets, and coats, it’s time to wear what you want with the confidence that you deserve. Tight, toned and taut arms can be as quick as two hours away with the Brachioplasty arm lift procedure. It’s simple, quick and most people are good candidates for the surgery itself. A consultation is crucial before having the procedure done, as this helps the surgeon to go over your medical history to determine if you’re a viable candidate to have Brachioplasty performed in-office.

Brachioplasty Combined with Liposuction

Brachioplasty is often combined with liposuction to remove excess, stubborn fat from the arm area. In many cases, patients won’t just have sagging skin in this area, but they may be battling with arm fat that is causing their arms to look disproportionate. Liposuction works to remove the excess fat from the arm area while the Brachioplasty is useful in tightening the loose skin. Obviously, a consultation will help in determining if liposuction is needed or available to you. For a complete toned, taut look, many patients choose both procedures to ensure their arms look their best post-surgery. However, it’s not uncommon to simply need just an arm lift to reduce the appearance of loose, hanging skin.

What to Expect with the Procedure

The procedure itself is relatively simple and can be done in a matter of just a couple of hours. First, you will have sedation administered to put you into a sleep-like state for the surgery. The surgeon then works to create a small incision to the inside or back of the arm. This incision may need to be larger for some patients depending on the extent of the loose skin, but this will all be discussed with you during your consultation appointment. If liposuction is desired, it will be done prior to the Brachioplasty procedure. Once the incision has been made, the underlying skin and tissue will be tightened and pulled to create a more youthful appearance. The skin is further smoothed and sutured in place to promote even healing. Your arm is then bandaged fully and you’ll be taken to a recovery room. You will typically wake fully from the sedation in under an hour, but it is still important that you have a loved one with you to bring you home as you will not be able to drive yourself under general sedation. For men and women living in New York, a Brachioplasty not only improves their appearance and allows them to feel more comfortable, but they’ll find that it allows them to look more youthful. Instead of being embarrassed by your arms, the arm lift procedure is there to erase your inhibitions and give you back your confidence. Considering the ease of the surgery and how quickly it can be done, it’s no wonder it is one of the most common cosmetic procedures currently available. The procedure can be done on both men and women who are unhappy with the look of their upper arms and who are ready to make a change.