UPPER ARM PLASTY

Upper Arm Plasty (Brachioplasty), sometimes referred to as an ‘arm lift’, is a procedure whereby excess skin and fat is removed from the upper arm area.
It also reshapes the arm providing the area with a more contoured, youthful and toned appearance.
This procedure is common among older people and those who have experienced significant weight loss, resulting in the skin under the arms becoming loose and flabby.
This loose and flabby skin is sometimes colloquially referred to as ‘bingo wings’.

Your suitability for the procedure will be determined by a surgeon’s consultation which will take into account factors such as your medical history and condition.
The consultation with the surgeon will enable you to come to an informed decision as to whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
If you have little or no excess skin and minimal fat excess, then liposuction alone could be an effective option.
You need to be aware that in exchange for the removal of loose skin, you may be left with visible scarring.

Incisions are normally placed on the inside or back of the arm and may run from the armpit down to elbow. Excess skin is then removed and fat is excised or treated with liposuction.
The supportive tissue is then tightened and reshaped with internal sutures.

This type of surgery will leave a scar. A consultation with your surgeon will determine the exact location and length of the incision.

The results are generally long lasting, especially if you are committed to maintaining the results achieved post-surgery by way of a stable diet and regular exercise.

The procedure takes between one to two hours during which you will be under general anaesthesia.

During the procedure you will be under general anaesthesia. However, you may experience some pain and discomfort after the surgery as your body heals. You can expect to be sore, swollen and bruised and you should follow the surgeon’s instructions with regard to post op care. After the surgery you will be given painkillers to help with any pain and discomfort you may be feeling.

The initial recovery time may vary and can take anything from one to two weeks.
Upper body exercise can normally be resumed within four to six weeks.
Recovery periods can vary between patients and are dependent upon factors such as age, state of health, the procedure undertaken and your own bodies healing ability.

Full information of the risks involved, and what you can expect to experience, will be provided to you by your surgeon before the procedure.