Arm Lift

An Arm Lift at Rotemberg Plastic Surgery can improve the contour of your arms and make you feel sexy and confident in any kind of top.

What is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

An Arm Lift, otherwise known as Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that excises loose, sagging skin from the underarm. The goal of an Arm Lift is to proportionally contour the arm to match the rest of the body. The skin that is removed typically does not respond to diet or exercise. Both thin and heavy people can be candidates for an Arm Lift. Aging can cause sagging skin, but younger patients may also seek a Brachioplasty procedure due to genetics or recent weight loss.

Candidates for an Arm Lift

A Brachioplasty procedure is reserved for men and women who experience sagging, drooping skin on the underarms or armpit region but are unable to tone them through exercising. Muscles can be toned, but loose skin can only conform and shape to a newly defined arm so much. When the limit of retraction is reached, people are left with drooping skin that only an Arm Lift can fix.

Most people who encounter this have experienced a significant reduction in weight. Others see a change in their skin elasticity due to aging. People seeking to undergo an Arm Lift should be at a stable body weight relative to their body structure and height. All candidates must be in good health before considering an Arm Lift.

If you fit the above criteria or would like to see if you do, schedule a consultation to speak with Miami’s top female plastic surgeon Dr. Silvia Rotemberg and she will be able to determine your candidacy gladly.

Arm Lift Techniques

The type of Arm Lift you undergo will depend on your specific case and desired results. The technique will be decided as a team effort by both you and Dr. Silvia Rotemberg during your consultation.

Standard Brachioplasty

A Standard Brachioplasty is performed with an incision that runs from the elbow to the top of the armpit. It is made on the back side of the arm so as to minimize visibility. Once the appropriate amount of sagging excess skin and fat are removed, the skin is redraped, tightened, and closed with sutures. The resulting scar is not visible from front view and will fade overtime. If you would prefer the scar to not be visible from behind, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg can make the incision on the inner arm. It is best to speak with her about incision placement to see which option is optimal for your aesthetic desires.

Extended Brachioplasty

Also referred to as L-shaped Brachioplasty, the Extended Brachioplasty uses an L-shaped incision that runs from the elbow, down the arm, and ends at the base of the armpit. Underarm skin is excised and tightened as well as skin on the sides of the chest. This technique is ideal for those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight since there is only so much natural skin tightening can accomplish.

Mini Brachioplasty

A Mini Brachioplasty is reserved for those who only need minimal assistance in sagging underarm skin. This incision is made in the armpit or right above the armpit. With this limited repair, the incision is much smaller than a Standard or Extended Brachioplasty and is hidden in the underarm region. A Mini Brachioplasty will not be suitable for those who need a large amount of excess skin removed.

What To Expect During the Consultation

You will explain to her the concerns you have about your arms and how you would like them to look. As a top female plastic surgeon, Dr. Silvia Rotemberg highly advocates an open and honest line of communication between her and all of her patients. You know your body better than anyone else, so share any details you believe are worth sharing to further enhance your results.

She will perform a thorough examination, and after assessing the quality of your skin, your natural arm shape, body type, and aesthetic goals, she can assess which technique will benefit you most. This is also to make sure you are in good health to undergo a surgical procedure. She will show you before and after pictures of her previous patients with similar body types who underwent the same procedure. Results vary from patient to patient, but this will give you a ballpark idea of what you can expect. Pricing can be discussed at this time as well.

Preparation

Procedure

Depending on the technique performed, a Brachioplasty procedure typically takes between 1-2 hours. It is done on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthesia. On some occasions results can be greatly heightened if paired with Liposuction. Each technique is different, but the basic steps are all the same.

The procedure will begin with the appropriate dose of anesthesia, and then the incision placement is marked on the arms. The type of anesthesia used will depend on health, personal preference, and doctor recommendation. Once anesthetized, the incision is made in the armpit for those that require minimal assistance in toning. This will create a hardly noticeable scar as it is camouflaged in the underarm. For a standard Brachioplasty the incision will run from the elbow to the armpit, the appropriate amount of fat and skin are removed, and the skin is redraped. Those who exhibit a large amount of excess skin will have fat, tissue, and skin proportionately removed from the elbow to the side of the chest.

There will always be a scar in the armpit no matter the technique, but the inner arm scar will vary in length. More complex procedures will mean longer scars, but they do fade overtime. No matter the pattern, top female plastic surgeon Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will place the incision on the arm so as to minimize visibility. The incisions will be closed with sutures.

Recovery

Both of your arms will be wrapped in a compression garment or bandaging; this reduces the amount of swelling. You may need to wear drainage tubes to catch any excess fluids, and if so Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will give you specific instructions on how to take care of them. Slight numbness or tingling for the first week or two is normal and subsides with time. Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will prescribe you pain medication and anti-nausea medication if necessary; you should take these as instructed.

The week after your procedure do not shower; sponge baths are okay until notified otherwise. Drains and bandaging are typically removed in a week at your follow-up appointment. At the follow-up appointment Dr. Silvia Rotemberg will also assess the rate of your healing and adjust instructions appropriately. Normal activities can be resumed 3-7 days after your appointment. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about 6 weeks.

Results

Results will vary for each individual case, but the large majority of patients who undergo a Brachioplasty are ecstatic about their results. Many patients experience a profound increase in confidence as they are able to wear short sleeved shirts and tank tops and not feel self-conscious or give it a second thought. The arms become slimmer, toned, and more defined.

Improved results can be seen immediately after your procedure, although there will be some swelling. Final results can be seen in less than 3 months. An Arm Lift creates beautifully defined, aesthetically proportionate arms for those who have struggled with excess skin. Results will last as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to ensure upheld toning. An Arm Lift cannot prevent against natural sagging of the skin due to aging.

Cost