What are the different types of brachioplasty surgery?
Learn about the types of Arm Lift Surgery in Newcastle
Brachioplasty (also called arm lift surgery) is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. There are many different arm lift procedures and techniques a surgeon may perform. Each arm lift procedure has a different scar placement and contours the arms in a slightly different way.
Why are there different types of Arm Lifts?
Some patients have more excess arm skin and fat than others. This can depend on the amount of weight lost, genetics, age, and lifestyle factors – all of which can contribute to poor skin elasticity and fatty tissue placement. Brachioplasty is a customisable procedure that caters to each patient’s specific arm-related concerns.
About the Procedure
Disclaimer: Adult content, Results vary, seek 2nd opinion, Surgery has risks – See full disclaimer
Some surgeons favor a particular type of arm lift procedure over another since they may be more comfortable with a certain surgical technique. Regardless of how an arm lift is performed, the end goal is similar. All arm lift procedures aim to tighten and contour the upper arms by eliminating sagging arm skin and reshaping the arms so they take on a more svelte, taut appearance.
Types of Arm Lifts
Here are a few types of arm lifts worth knowing, whether you have severe excess skin after significant weight loss or just a small handful of loose skin.
Minimal Incision Brachioplasty
Also called a limited arm lift, limited brachioplasty, or short-scar arm lift, this method removes a small amount of loose upper arm skin and addresses armpit sag. A small incision placed within the axilla (armpit) means a smaller, well-hidden scar compared to other types of arm lifts.
This technique is not great for drastically reshaping the upper arm contours since it won’t remove a lot of excess tissue. It can make lax arm skin tighter, but not by much. Some surgeons do not offer it since the results are usually too subtle to be worth the cost of the surgery.
Full Brachioplasty
A full arm lift is a classic technique that removes a long vertical segment of skin from the armpit to the elbow. It is usually performed on patients with moderate-to-severe arm laxity after having undergone significant weight loss. The scar can be placed either on the inner surface of the arm or behind the upper arms. Through the incision, the surgeon removes excess skin and fatty tissue. As they pull the inner arm skin flaps together to close the incision, the upper arm becomes tighter and less bulky in appearance.
Extended Brachioplasty
An extended arm lift procedure is usually reserved for patients with loose skin after massive weight loss. In some cases, patients that have undergone gastric bypass surgery may notice the excess skin extends from the upper arms and downward onto the sides of the chest. During an extended arm lift, the surgeon makes a long incision from the elbow to the armpit and on each side of the chest wall. The exact incision length varies based on how much extra skin and fat is present. While the scar is longer than other kinds of arm lifts, it offers the most dramatic skin and fat removal of all the techniques.
Brachioplasty and Liposuction
Removing loose skin with an arm lift will remove some subcutaneous fat. However, some patients who lose weight and those that have excess fat on other areas like the armpits, outer arms, lateral chest wall, or bra line may consider adding liposuction to the procedure.
An arm lift with liposuction can take place in one operation. Your surgeon can decide exactly where to reduce arm fat, whether it be on the outside of the arm, inside arm, or rear part of the arm.
What Arm Lift options are right for you?
The answer to that can’t be answered online. Patients seriously considering an arm lift will need a private consultation with a qualified surgeon. Note that starting in July 2023, new cosmetic surgery laws in Australia require patients to get a GP referral before they can see a cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or body contouring specialist.
A reputable surgeon will only recommend an arm lift if the patient truly needs it and meets certain criteria. An arm lift may be an option for those that are in good overall health and do not smoke.
After meeting with an arm contouring specialist, eligible candidates will receive a customised treatment plan and learn about the type of brachioplasty that is right for them.
Will I Have Scarring?
Disclaimer: Adult content, Results vary, seek 2nd opinion, Surgery has risks – See full disclaimer
Before deciding to have brachioplasty surgery, you should know that arm lift scars may be visible in certain clothing styles, such as short sleeves and singlets.
Arm lift scars can take a while to fade. Scar redness may persist for a year or more. Ideally, the brachioplasty scars heal to fine lines, but every patient is different. Some heal better than others. Even if the scar heals as expected, you will always be able to see it.
If you have a history of poor scars (think hypertrophic or keloid scars), the surgical scar from an arm lift will likely be more obvious. A complication such as an infection or wound healing issues can also impair scar healing.
Taking all this into consideration, an arm lift is usually only worth it if the patient is willing to trade a permanent scar for firmer upper arms.
Different Arm Lifts Result in Different Scars
Different types of arm lifts have differing scar placements. Generally speaking, the more excess fatty tissue and skin you need removed, the longer the scar.
Dr Beldholm makes every effort to place the incisions so the scars are less noticeable. He prefers to place the incision on the inner aspect of the arms closest to the chest wall whenever possible. The scar is usually only visible when the arms are raised or extended away from the body.
Different surgeons may place the incisions a bit differently. The only way to know what kind of scarring to expect is speaking to your surgeon about where they plan to make the incisions.
Your surgeon should clearly explain the arm lift incision to you before you agree to have surgery. It is critically important that you understand exactly where your scars will be placed and how long the arm lift incision will be.
What else should I know about Arm Lifts?
There are many factors to think about when deciding whether to have an arm lift. For more information, speak with your GP and request a referral to Dr Bernard Beldholm, FRACS in Newcastle or Sydney. He can let you know if brachioplasty is right for you and answer all your questions.
