You may work to stay fit and healthy, but as you age, your skin becomes less elastic than it once was. Also, you could have had great results from bariatric surgery and lost a lot of excess weight. Either way, one result that’s not so good is developing unflattering flaps of loose skin hanging from your upper arms, commonly called “bat wings.”
You might be considering getting a brachioplasty, or “arm lift,” done to minimize or cosmetically eliminate this irritating and unsightly condition. This is where a Boston brachioplasty cosmetic surgeon can help.
If you decide on a brachioplasty, then as long as your weight does not continue to fluctuate significantly, you should expect the results of your upper arm lift to last for several years or more. Very few cosmetic procedures last forever, though, as your body is always changing. With proper exercise and diet, etc., you certainly could expect your brachioplasty to enhance your appearance for years to come.
Weight loss is not the only thing that contributes to this condition, and as you continue to age, you may notice more loose skin develop in the future.
Some of the good news, though, is that even if a lot of excess skin is removed and you need skin taken from the very top of the arm into the armpit area, the cosmetic procedure is relatively common and safe. Normally, the procedure lasts two to three hours, and you will most likely wear a compression garment for a time, to help control swelling. You can typically expect to resume some light activity within a few days to a week.
Remember that any surgery, no matter how simple, does have risks, and your overall best path is to discuss a brachioplasty with a Boston brachioplasty cosmetic surgeon thoroughly. By going over the details of the procedure with your cosmetic surgeon, you can best know what to expect and know if brachioplasty is your best option.
What Can I Expect After a Brachioplasty, or “Arm Lift?”
After your Brachioplasty procedure, your incisions will usually be covered in bandages and your arms will be loosely wrapped in elastic bandages to minimize the overall swelling. There are times when small tubes might be placed in your arms to drain any excess blood or fluids. You most likely will return to your cosmetic surgeon within a day or two, so they can make sure your recovery is progressing normally and without incident.
You will likely wear the compression garment for three to six weeks after recovery to help your arms heal and help to produce more ideal results from your procedure.
During the brachioplasty recovery period, it’s common to have some discomfort. You may experience some soreness, swelling, and possibly, some bruising. These symptoms should lessen after the first few days, though. You should, at the least, expect one to two weeks of recovery time for a brachioplasty procedure to heal, before resuming limited or more normal activity.
As your cosmetic surgeon will explain, the success of any procedure is highly dependent on following what they recommend during your recovery period. You have taken the time, and money to get this procedure done and want the best results possible. Your Wellesley Brachioplasty surgeon will guide you every step of the way and help you to obtain the results you desire.
What Are Some of the Possible Risks of a Brachioplasty?
No matter how common or seemingly simple a procedure is, a competent cosmetic surgeon will always tell you the risks involved. No two patients are the same and following post-operative recovery procedures is one way to greatly reduce your chances of complication.
Some of these risks may include:
- Possible Scarring: Incision scars from an arm lift are usually permanent but often found in areas that aren’t easily visible. There are times when incisions can result in raised, red scars. Steroid injections or other treatments can be used to improve the appearance of any scarring.
- Asymmetry: This could occur during the healing process itself due to the changes made in your arms. Your brachioplasty surgeon will try to make your arms look as symmetrical as possible; however, your body is usually not symmetrical normally and perfect symmetry isn’t usually possible.
- Changes in Skin Sensation: During an arm lift, the repositioning of your arm tissue can affect superficial sensory nerves, and you’ll likely have some numbness, as well. This is usually a temporary condition.
- Problems with Stitches: Stitches, used to secure the arm’s new shape, might work their way to the surface of the skin, and they will be removed. This might cause inflammation of the area, and you might need additional surgery to correct it.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Brachioplasty, or “Arm Lift,” Surgery?
This is a question that only you and your Boston plastic surgeon can answer for sure, but there are things you can consider now, such as:
- You have successfully lost weight, and your flabby or redundant underarm skin is due to that weight loss
- You are an aging adult and developed significant upper arm skin laxity
- Your weight is now relatively stable, and you are, currently, not significantly overweight
- You are overall a healthy individual, with no underlying medical conditions that could affect your healing or increase the possible risks
- It is best if you are not a smoker, and if you are, you may consider quitting
- You are thoroughly committed to a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle
The above details are important, but again, only by consulting with an experienced Boston upper arm lift surgeon, will you know if a brachioplasty is right for you. Always be sure that you are confident and feel comfortable with your cosmetic surgeon and his or her team. Check the certifications held by your surgeon and ask him or her all the details of the brachioplasty procedure.
A brachioplasty can enhance your overall appearance and confidence, and your Boston brachioplasty surgeon will work with you to achieve your desired success.