Brachioplasty Techniques: Which One is Right for You?
Brachioplasty (arm lift surgery) is a procedure that surgically cuts away excess tissue to give the upper arms a firmer, tighter appearance. Addressing sagging arm skin can be done in several ways. In this article, Dr Bernard Beldholm explains different arm lift techniques he may perform to reshape the upper arms.
What Causes Saggy Upper Arms?
Sagging skin usually happens for two reasons.
The first is a loss of skin elasticity due to ageing. As the skin loses the ability to produce elastin and collagen over the years, the skin often becomes weaker and more fragile. When there is enough extra skin, the back of the upper arm can develop sagging skin that hangs in a cosmetically displeasing manner.
Another cause of sagging arm skin is weight loss. If you had bulky arms when you were overweight and then you dieted and exercised to get thinner, the arm skin may hang since there is no longer any fat padding to support the skin.
How can brachioplasty help?
Disclaimer: Adult content, Results vary, seek 2nd opinion, Surgery has risks – See full disclaimer
In many cases, these issues can be solved with brachioplasty surgery, also known as arm lift surgery. During the operation, Dr Beldholm performs a skin resection, removing excess skin and subcutaneous fat from the upper arms. The goal of the operation is to give the upper arm area a toned and slimmer appearance.
Who is a candidate for brachioplasty surgery?
In general, candidates for arm lift surgery have excess skin and fat in the upper arms. While every patient is different, here is a review of the type of patients that are usually interested in arm lift surgery.
The Massive Weight Loss Patient
Some of the most common candidates for arm lift surgery are people that have shed weight rapidly. After losing weight, they often have extra skin and fat that resists conventional diet and exercise. If the sagging skin is predominantly located in the upper arm area, then arm lift surgery may be considered.
In addition to brachioplasty, Dr Beldholm also offers abdominoplasty (tummy tucks), mastopexy (breast lifts), gynaecomastia surgery (male breast reductions), thigh lift surgery, VASER liposuction, and other body contouring procedures. He specifically caters to patients that have lost weight or had multiple pregnancies.
The Mature Patient
Ageing is a common cause of hanging arm skin. Skin elasticity diminishes as collagen and elastin production decrease with age, causing excess skin to show up on various areas of the body, including the arms. When a patient has hanging arm skin caused by poor elasticity, an arm lift can help the upper arm area appear firmer, tighter, and more toned.
The Patient with Excess Arm Fat
Many patients store excess fat in the upper arms. This can happen regardless of age. Dietary, hormonal, and genetic factors can all affect where a person stores fat. If a patient has reached a healthy weight and has stubborn fat in the upper arms, then arm shaping procedures such as VASER liposuction or arm lift surgery may be an option.
Do I need a referral to speak to a surgeon?
Starting in July 2023, Australians seeking cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery, and related aesthetic procedures will need a referral from their general practitioner (GP). While your GP may not have extensive knowledge of arm lift procedures, they can let you know if you are physically healthy enough to undergo surgery. It is not just your physical condition that matters. Your GP can also determine whether you are mentally healthy enough to pursue a cosmetic procedure that may alter your appearance.
Brachioplasty Consultation: Determining What Arm Lift is Right for You
There are many different types of arm lifts. Each method varies in terms of scar placement and what it accomplishes. The first step to determining what arm lift technique is right for you is booking a consultation with a surgeon focused on body contouring procedures.
Discussing Your Cosmetic Issues and Goals
At your appointment, Dr Beldholm will ask you to point out your aesthetic & medical issues. Some arm lift candidates are interested in removing excess skin and excess fat to look better cosmetically. Others have functional issues such as rashes, chafing, or difficulty exercising due to excess arm skin getting in the way.
Examination and Taking ‘Before’ Photos
Disclaimer: Adult content, Results vary, seek 2nd opinion, Surgery has risks – See full disclaimer
Your consultation will include an in-person examination. Dr Beldholm may ask you to hold your arms out so he can see how much hanging skin you have. He will also take your ‘before’ photos, which you can view together. Seeing a photo makes it easier to see your arms from all angles easier than looking in a mirror.
While it may be uncomfortable to point out areas of your body that bother you, the examination is a critical part of planning your operation. It helps both you and your surgeon understand what areas you want to address and how much skin needs to be removed to achieve your desired outcome.
Dr Beldholm makes every effort to make his patients feel comfortable during the consultation process. He is a compassionate, thoughtful listener and is genuinely interested in helping his patients find solutions to their medical issues. With over twelve years as a specialist surgeon focusing on body contouring surgery, he has met patients from all walks of life and feels privileged to be a part of their surgical journeys.
Reviewing Your Medical History and Lifestyle
During your consultation, Dr Beldholm will go over your medical history to make sure you don’t have any risk factors that can make it too unsafe to have surgery. He will also ask questions about your cosmetic goals to ensure you have realistic expectations. Dr Beldholm will also need to know whether you smoke.
He will also discuss whether you are willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle. This is very important if you plan to have arm lift surgery. To maintain your results after the operation, you will need to avoid weight fluctuations as this can lead to skin laxity all over again.
Planning the Arm Lift Operation
If Dr Beldholm believes you are a good candidate for upper arm lift surgery, the next step is planning your operation. There are many different brachioplasty procedures he may consider. The right surgical plan for you depends on your unique goals and presentation.
Types of Arm Lifts
Dr Beldholm may discuss different surgical techniques depending on how much excess skin and fat is present.
Short scar brachioplasty (Incision placed in the armpit)
A short-scar arm lift removes a small segment of loose skin through an armpit incision. The surgical scar is much smaller and more well-hidden than other types of arm lifts. The downside is this surgical technique can only tighten the arm skin to a small extent.
If you have extensive saggy skin, this type of arm lift probably isn’t right for you. It can, however, improve minor skin laxity in the upper arms and armpit. Patients that may consider this technique usually have a small amount of loose skin as a result of ageing or losing a few kilos.
Full brachioplasty (Incision from elbow to armpit)
A traditional arm lift removes a long section of excess skin and tissue with an incision that goes from the elbow all the way to the armpit. Dr Beldholm usually places the incision on the inner arm so the scar won’t be too obvious when your arms are down by your sides. The other options for placing the scar is either anterior (in front) or posterior (towards the back) of the upper arm. These scars may not be as well-hidden, in Dr Beldholm’s opinion. Always discuss scar placement with your surgeon before agreeing to have surgery. It can make all the difference in your satisfaction with the results!
Extended brachioplasty (Incision from elbow to lateral chest wall)
After losing a significant amount of weight, some patients may need a more extensive type of arm lift to correct excess tissue. An extended arm lift procedure has the longest scar length of all the arm lifts. The scar goes from the elbow to the axilla (armpit) and then continues down onto the sides of the chest wall.
This technique allows Dr Beldholm to remove not only the excess upper arm skin, but also excess skin on the sides of the chest. If you have lost weight rapidly after bariatric surgery and have sagging in these areas, this could be the arm lift for you. However, any patient that has extra skin after massive weight loss may be considered for this technique, even if they have not had bariatric surgery.
VASER liposuction (Reduces fatty tissue in the upper arms)
Liposuction and arm lift surgery can be performed at the same time. In fact, Dr Beldholm usually prefers to combine arm liposuction and brachioplasty surgery into one operation as he finds it often provides a more refined cosmetic result. During the operation, he uses VASER liposuction to reduce arm fat. Next, he tightens the remaining skin by cutting away any excess loose tissue.
Arm lift vs liposuction: what is the difference?
An arm lift is a skin removal procedure. It is only for patients with sagging arm skin. Although it removes some fat from the upper arms, you likely do not need an arm lift if you are only concerned by excess fat.
If you have too much arm fat, but your arm skin is tight and firm, then Dr Beldholm may suggest liposuction as a standalone procedure. He also offers non-surgical fat reduction with TruSculpt ID, which uses heat to destroy fat cells without cutting into the skin.
After examining you, Dr Beldholm will make a personalised recommendation. He can explain all your options in detail and help you decide what non-surgical or surgical procedure makes the most sense for you.
Combining arm lifts with other skin removal procedures
If you have managed to lose weight through exercise, dieting, or bariatric surgery, your upper arm skin may not be your only procedure. Dr Beldholm may discuss other elective surgery options such as abdominoplasty, thighplasty, liposuction, or a breast reduction depending on where you have excess loose skin and extra fat.
While some operations may be able to take place on the same day, in most cases, it is safer to space the operations a few months apart. Possible surgical complications of undergoing too many surgeries at once include wound healing issues, excessive bleeding, or an unnecessarily painful recovery.
Read this First Before Deciding on Arm Lift Surgery
Before planning your operation, there are a few things you will need to know. Firstly, it is important to reach a stable weight before and after a body contouring procedure. Significant weight loss in the future may cause the loose skin to come back post surgery. You’ll want to avoid weight fluctuations after having an arm lift since this can affect the longevity of your surgical results.
If you struggle with your weight, that is understandable. Many people do. However, you will need to dedicate yourself to a healthy lifestyle for the long haul. This will help you your arm lift results last longer.
Part of a healthy lifestyle is not smoking. If you are currently a smoker, you will absolutely need to quit at least several weeks or months before your procedure. Nicotine use has been linked to serious side effects and can slow the healing process. You will also need to remain smoke-free for at least three to six months after an arm lift.
You also cannot book the surgery if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The medications and anaesthetic administered during an arm lift may pose a risk to the baby. They can even pass into breast milk. If you plan on getting pregnant in the near future, you will need to hold off on having an arm lift for the time being.
As long as you are healthy (both mentally and physically), there is little else you may need to do to prepare for the operation. Dr Beldholm’s office will provide you with detailed instructions to ensure your surgery goes as smoothly as possible.
If you are seriously thinking about an arm lift and you meet these criteria, the next step is speaking to a surgeon. Dr Beldholm can provide you with all the information you need to make an educated decision. If you are a candidate for arm lift surgery, he will design a customised surgical plan especially for you. Ask your GP for a referral.
Learn More About Your Arm Lift Surgery Options
Whether you are considering an arm lift or other body contouring procedures, Dr Beldholm would be thrilled to help. He gets immense satisfaction from helping his patients reshape their bodies and tighten loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss.
