Body Surgery

Brachioplasty
;

The “Arm Lift”

Loose and excess wrinkly skin in the upper arm can result from weightloss and textural changes associated with the ageing process. Liposuction alone can help in younger patients with good skin elasticity and augmented liposuction using radio frequency (Body Tite) may help to tighten skin and remove fat in less severe cases. 

Markings are made to indicate the approximate skin removal. Thorough liposuction is undertaken in the area as this helps to preserve the underlying lymphatics, veins and cutaneous nerves all of which are essential for homeostasis of the limb. The skin excision is then carefully performed and the skin closure is coapted under minimal tension in order to optimise scar quality. 

In cases of extreme weightloss, the skin removal can extend from the upper arm, across the axilla and on to the chest wall. It can also extend beyond the elbow and almost as far as the wrist in extreme cases. 

First Steps?

Your Consultation

Your first step is to book a consultion with one of our experienced plastic surgeons. On your first visit, your surgeon will listen to what procedure you are interested in undertaking and will answer your questions. Your surgeon will explain the alternatives that are available to you in order to achieve the result you desire.

Should you decide to proceed, our Patient Coordinator will then be able to provide you with a price and date for surgery, with options to personalise your stay.

You will be provided will practical information about what you will need to know about before, during and after the operation. Your surgeon will be available to discuss any queries you have prior to surgery.

 

On the Day?

Your Surgery

On arrival, you will be greeted by one of our team and taken up to your ward room. This is where you will be based during your stay with us.

You will meet your surgeon and your anaesthetist on the morning of your operation. Your surgeon will mark up the surgery area and take photographs of this. Surgery begins with liposuction to remove excess fat. An incision is made, depending on the specific procedure and the amount of skin that must be removed. Finally, the remaining skin is pulled together and closed. Depending on the extent of the procedure, your brachioplasty will take between 1.5 to 3 hours and is always performed under general anaesthesia.

And Afterwards?

 

Your Recovery

You will stay on the ward for one night or two nights, depending on the procedure. You will be provided with a supportive corset to wear for the first weeks after the operation. You will need to attend a follow-up consultation approximately a week after surgery for an initial check up and to remove stitches.

Depending on the extent of the surgery, you will need to remain off work for between one to three weeks and to refrain from exercise and heavy lifting for the first three weeks. The final contour will be evident between three to six months post-operatively.