Arm Lift

Plastic Surgeon
Your consultation will always take place with the plastic surgeon who will be treating you.
During this consultation, you can explain what bothers you most about the sagging of your arms and what you would like to change. The plastic surgeon will review your medical history and examine your upper arms. Based on this, the surgical technique most suitable for you will be proposed and discussed with you.

For example, if you have lost a significant amount of weight following gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding, you may be advised to opt for an extensive arm lift. The difference is that the ends of the scar are positioned in such a way that the transition to the forearm and armpit area is as inconspicuous as possible. Due to the general skin laxity following significant weight loss, the skin may never become completely taut and smooth; however, the plastic surgeon will show you in the mirror what you can expect from this procedure. This will allow you to make a well-informed decision.

Combination Treatment
In some cases, a complementary procedure such as liposuction may be recommended. This will also be explained to you, along with what you can expect in terms of the final result.

Consultant
Following your consultation, you will have a meeting with your consultant. The purpose of this meeting is to inform you about the general procedures that need to be arranged. Would you like to read more about your first consultation? Find more information here.

BMI
This procedure is always performed under general anesthesia. It is therefore important that it proceeds safely. For this reason, you must be at a healthy weight. Would you like to know if you are at a healthy weight?

Calculate your BMI here.

Before the surgery, your plastic surgeon will review the surgical procedure with you once more, before marking your arms according to the surgical plan.

To perform the procedure, an incision will be made along your arm. The location and length of the incision depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. It often runs from your armpit to your elbow. This longer incision allows for optimal removal of your excess skin.

In the case of an extensive arm lift, an additional horizontal scar in the armpit crease may be necessary.

A modern surgical technique is used for this procedure, in which the incision is made on the inner side of the upper arm, usually from the armpit to the elbow. Once the excess skin and associated fat have been removed, the skin is closed.

Depending on the amount of skin that can be removed, the entire procedure takes between two and three and a half hours.

The procedure produces excellent results that will be visible fairly soon after surgery. However, the final results can best be assessed three months after surgery, once all swelling has subsided. Your arms will look slimmer and firmer.

The more skin and fatty tissue that is removed, the longer it will take for the final result to become apparent. In the case of an extensive arm lift, the appearance of your upper arm may continue to change for up to six months.

The best results are achieved if you have a healthy and stable weight and are able to maintain it. It is important to note that your skin will lose elasticity as you age, but the results will remain visible.

Scars
This procedure will leave a fairly long scar in a visible area. You should be aware that it will be visible when wearing short sleeves. Initially, these scars will be red and swollen, but this will subside on its own after a few weeks.

For the first few months after treatment, you must not expose the scars to the sun. You also shouldn’t use a tanning bed on them. However, you may cover them or apply sunscreen with a high SPF. It’s helpful to know that a scar takes one to one and a half years to fully heal.

The likelihood of risks and complications associated with an arm lift is rare. However, you can help further reduce certain risks by carefully following the instructions you received prior to the surgery.

Some possible complications include:

• Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that requires drainage)
• Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
• Postoperative bleeding
• Infection
• Changes in sensation
• Permanent scarring
• Damage to underlying structures
• Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.

Smoking
It is important to know that if you smoke or use tobacco or nicotine products at the time of surgery, you are at a higher risk of complications. These include skin necrosis and impaired wound healing. It can also have a negative effect on anesthesia, potentially resulting in an increased risk of bleeding. It is therefore important to stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery and to continue abstaining throughout the entire recovery process. People exposed to secondhand smoke may also be at an increased risk of similar complications. People who are not exposed to tobacco smoke or nicotine-containing products have a significantly lower risk of such complications.