Arm lift
An arm lift can be performed by an experienced surgeon without leaving particularly noticeable scars.
An arm lift is a demanding procedure
An arm lift is a procedure primarily performed after massive weight loss. However, many people naturally have strong upper arms that they find bothersome.
It is also common for patients to be bothered by the appearance of wrinkles on the inner side of the upper arms, which can occur even when the arm circumference is normal.
There are two methods of arm lift surgery to choose from:
The method using a crescent-shaped incision reduces the circumference of the upper arms only slightly but effectively tightens the skin on the inner side, thereby eliminating wrinkles.
The method with an incision along the inner side of the upper arm is very effective, significantly reducing the circumference of the upper arms and also eliminating wrinkles.
For the majority of my patients, the excess skin is considerable, so the long incision technique is required much more frequently than the crescent-shaped incision. Ideally, the scar is placed exactly along the transition between the inner and back side of the upper arm. In this way, it is barely visible from either the front or the back.
With the crescent-shaped technique, an important aspect is to avoid skin tension in the armpit area, as this can lead to renewed sagging of the skin and distortion of the incision toward the elbow. To prevent this, the tightened skin must be anchored to a stable structure in the axilla using a dermal flap.
If a reduction in arm circumference is desired and the skin is still firm, liposuction alone can indeed achieve a good result.
Arm lift – overview
Results
Before / After
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Can a reduction of upper arm circumference also be achieved through liposuction?
If there is no excess skin and the skin is still firm, good results can indeed be achieved with liposuction alone.
What methods of arm lifting exist?
There are essentially two options, depending on the extent of excess skin to be corrected. With mild to moderate skin excess, the procedure can be limited to the armpit area. If there is more excess skin, the procedure must be extended along the upper arm.
Where are the scars located after an arm lift?
Depending on the surgical method used, the scar either runs from the armpit along the inner side of the upper arm down to the elbow area or is limited to the armpit region.
How visible are the scars?
If the incision is limited to the armpit region, the scar is visible only when the arms are raised — and even then, only if the armpits are shaved. With the longer incision, the cut is placed along the transition between the inner and back side of the upper arm, making the scar hardly visible from either the front or the back.
Is the procedure performed under local anesthesia?
If the surgery is limited to the armpit region, it can be performed under local anesthesia. For the longer incision, the operation is performed under general anesthesia.
Is the procedure covered by health insurance?
Unfortunately not. Unlike a tummy tuck, an arm lift is a purely aesthetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance.
How long is the hospital stay?
If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the hospital can usually be left the same day. If it is performed under general anesthesia, an overnight stay is generally required.
What complications can occur?
The most common medical complications are postoperative bleeding, infection, and injury to a sensory skin nerve. With careful surgical technique, bleeding and infection are largely avoidable. However, nerve injury may sometimes be unavoidable, especially if there is significant skin excess and the nerve running through the surgical area cannot be spared.
Result-related complications include asymmetric scars, tearing of anchoring sutures, “dog-ear” formation, and keloid scarring. Except for keloid scars, most aesthetic complications can be corrected relatively easily through revision surgery.
How soon can one resume normal activities after an arm lift?
Quite early. In uncomplicated cases, normal activity is possible after just a few days. Overhead sports, however, should be avoided for four weeks to prevent unnecessary tension on the scars.
What are the long-term results after an arm lift?
If weight remains stable, the long-term results are generally excellent.
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