Arm Lift Surgery
Arm Lift Surgery
After weight loss and following strict diet plans, it is common to experience loose skin, especially under the arms. These sagging areas may prevent you from wearing what you like and constantly make you try to hide them. Learn about arm lift surgery and other techniques to eliminate sagging in this area.
Causes of sagging under the arms:
• Significant weight loss after following strict diet plans.
• Aging leads to a decrease in collagen production, so it affects skin elasticity.
• Lack of regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Arm lift surgery and its goals:
Arm lift surgery involves removing excess skin that forms under the arms due to significant and sudden weight loss or aging. This surgery is performed for cosmetic purposes, as sagging arms do not negatively affect your health but may impact your self-confidence and appearance. This procedure is to tighten and sculpt the arms, highlight the muscles, and get rid of any excess fat or loose skin.
Candidates for arm lift surgery:
• Adults should preferably have some skin elasticity under their arms to achieve the best possible results.
• Adults of all ages should have a relatively stable weight.
• Good overall health without any chronic diseases that may hinder the surgery.
• Non-smokers or those who can stop smoking before and during the recovery period.
Consulting Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy before arm lift surgery:
When consulting with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, there is some information you can provide to help him better assess your case:
• Inform the doctor of your reasons for considering this surgery and your expectations after undergoing it.
• Your medical condition and family medical history to determine if there are any potential side effects or risks during the surgery or recovery period.
• The medications you are taking so the doctor can make any necessary adjustments to suit you during recovery.
• If you have undergone any previous surgeries, it is important to inform the doctor, as it helps determine whether they may conflict with this procedure.
• You can discuss your expectation of the results or create a visual representation of the desired outcome. Typically, the doctor takes some photos of you before and after the surgery so that you can see the difference.
Preoperative guidelines for arm lift surgery:
• The doctor may ask you to undergo tests and examinations before the surgery to ensure the absence of contraindications to undergo the procedure.
• The doctor may modify or discontinue some of your medications before the surgery.
• Stop smoking before the surgery and during recovery.
• Avoid taking blood thinning medications, such as aspirin, to minimize the risk of bleeding.
Steps of arm lift surgery:
• Arm lift surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the case.
• The doctor determines the location and length of the incision according to the amount of excess sagging skin that needs to be removed and its position.
• Typically, the doctor makes an incision under or behind the arms. In some cases, it may extend along the arms to the elbows. Others may require a smaller incision, where liposuction alone can treat the condition.
• Afterward, the doctor suctions excess fat and tightens the sagging skin or excises excess skin to ensure that the arms appear firm without any wrinkles or sagging.
• The incision is closed using some cosmetic sutures after achieving the desired shape.
Recovery period after arm lift surgery:
• During recovery, some dressings and bandages are applied around the arms. These bandages help reduce the swelling and minimize it.
• The doctor may place a small medical tube (drainage tube) to suction excess fluids alongside the surgical stitches.
• Avoiding strenuous physical exertion during the recovery period helps reduce swelling and minimize the risk of bleeding.
• The surgical stitches are removed after approximately one to two weeks.
Side effects of arm lift surgery:
Some common side effects of arm lift surgery subside after a short period, while other rare side effects may occur. These side effects include:
• Swelling: It is a common side effect after undergoing arm lift surgery, and it can be minimized and managed by following the doctor's instructions and avoiding any strenuous physical exertion or raising the arms above shoulder level for a period ranging from three to four weeks. Wearing compression garments also effectively helps reduce swelling.
• Numbness: It is also a common side effect, but the numbness in the arms usually subsides over time and as the recovery period ends.
• Bleeding: Bleeding is an uncommon side effect but can occur. Therefore, it is important to consult the doctor immediately to prescribe the appropriate medication to stop the bleeding.
• Infection: The likelihood of infection is rare, and it is usually superficial and easily treatable with topical medications. However, it is important to consult the doctor to prescribe the appropriate treatment to avoid any potential risks.
• Presence of bruising and formation of scars: Bruising usually fades after a short period, but scars may take longer to disappear, and there is no guarantee that these scars will completely vanish. The healing process of scars varies depending on each case and the nature of the body.
• Feeling pain: You may experience some pain after the anesthesia wears off, and the doctor may prescribe some painkillers to alleviate it.
Results of arm lift surgery:
The results of arm lift surgery typically last without the need for further cosmetic procedures. However, it is important to maintain a stable weight and follow a healthy diet to prevent the return of fat and sagging. Some fat may reaccumulate if there is weight gain, but it won't reach the same level as before the surgery. The appearance of the final results varies depending on the amount of fat and sagging that was eliminated and the speed of scar healing, which differs from case to case.
Arm lift with VASER:
An arm lift with VASER may be suitable for some cases of mild sagging. The thinner and more elastic the skin, the better the results. The procedure involves making a very precise surgical incision no larger than half a centimeter, through which the doctor inserts a VASER probe to suction excess fat and tighten the sagging skin. This cosmetic procedure can be performed using only local anesthesia. The session usually lasts 3 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of fat to be suctioned. VASER can remove up to 15 liters of fat in a single session, unlike other fat suction techniques that can only remove up to 8 liters. In addition, VASER can tighten and stimulate the skin to produce and release collagen, which helps the skin regain its elasticity naturally. You may need to wear some compression garments for several weeks after an arm lift with VASER. Final results usually appear after several months.
Cost of an arm lift:
The cost of arm lift surgery varies depending on the amount of fat to be removed, the technique used for arm lift (surgical intervention or VASER), and the hospital costs associated with the procedure. On average, a surgical arm lift costs around $1,700, while an arm lift with VASER costs $1,400.
An arm lift is considered a plastic procedure that aims to improve your external appearance and help you eliminate fat and sagging that cause continuous embarrassment. Whether you go for surgical intervention or VASER, the choice depends on your condition and consultation with the doctor to determine the optimal technique that will help you achieve the desired results. For more information about arm lift surgery and to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a plastic and body sculpting surgeon, contact us.
This content has been reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Mekkawy, a consultant in cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and natural hair transplantation.
