Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Tucson, AZ

A frustrating side effect of losing weight or getting older is acquiring loose skin. At Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery, we offer arm lift surgery (also called brachioplasty) as an option for women and men who have hanging skin that cannot be toned or tightened with diet and exercise. Excess skin from the elbow to the upper arm is very common, especially in those who are getting older or have lost significant amounts of weight. An upper arm lift removes this loose, hanging skin, sometimes known as "bat wings." Dr. Arun Rao, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Tucson, AZ, is very knowledgeable about skin tightening, body contouring, and fat removal surgeries. If you would like to learn more about how brachioplasty can improve the look of your arms, please contact us for a consultation at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery.

Loose or excess skin on the arms can be unsightly and make it difficult to wear your favorite clothes and bathing suits. Even people who have lost weight feel uncomfortable showing off their arms due to the excess skin. Dr. Rao can tone your arms and make your weight loss results appear more dramatic through advanced surgery. An arm lift can also improve your self-confidence and make you feel more confident when wearing tank tops, short sleeves, and other kinds of clothing.

An arm lift is a cosmetic surgery that employs innovative techniques to trim and excise unwanted skin. If you are tired of hiding your flabby arms and want them to look fit and healthy again, then you could be a great candidate for an arm lift. To qualify for this treatment, you should be in good overall health to ensure that the skin will heal well. Some of the main symptoms potential arm lift patients experience are hanging, loose skin on the upper arms. It's important for you to maintain a healthy, stable weight prior to and after your surgery.

In most cases, your upper arm surgery will take place in an outpatient setting unless multiple plastic surgeries are to be performed at the same time. An arm lift can be done with other procedures, including a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or mommy makeover if Dr. Rao determines it to be safe. An upper arm lift is usually performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete. The loose skin will be surgically removed from the elbow and continuing to the underarm. The incision will be made to be as hidden as possible, but it will leave a visible scar. If liposuction is wanted to remove stubborn pockets of fat, this will be performed as well. Once the skin is tightened, it will be sutured together. You will need to keep the incisions cleaned, covered, and supported with compression garments.

Your recovery period may last an estimated two weeks with lots of arm elevation and rest. It's important that you give yourself time to heal. Because you use your arms for almost everything, patients should slowly ease back into their daily routines. If needed, a suture removal appointment will be scheduled about ten days after surgery. Compression garments should be worn until you are released by Dr. Rao. For at least six weeks, all exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided with the exception of short walks. If you notice any excessive swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, hematoma (fluid buildup), infection, loss of feeling in the arms or hands, or heavy scarring, please call Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery for assistance.

How much does arm lift surgery cost?
The total cost for an arm lift will depend on many factors. Before he can determine your costs, Dr. Rao will host a consultation with you so he can listen to your concerns and goals. Following this, he will work with you to create your unique surgical plan and estimate your costs. To make it easier to choose a skilled plastic surgeon, like Dr. Rao, and get your best possible results, Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery accepts many payment methods.

Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes known as an upper body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), or breast surgery (breast lift). An arm lift is also commonly included as part of an after weight loss surgery for patients who have lost a tremendous amount of weight and require full body contouring. During your consultation with Dr. Rao, complementary surgeries can be discussed so your personal surgical plan matches all your needs and goals.

Will there be scars?
A surgical arm lift requires incisions to cut away excess skin, which means there will be visible scars. However, Dr. Rao makes every effort to place the incisions to make them as inconspicuous as possible. After your surgery, Dr. Rao will recommend ointments to assist in scar healing along with other tips for scar care management. Dr. Rao also recommends you avoid sun exposure during the first year to protect your scar from becoming discolored. Although scars are inevitable, the trade-off is a toned, slimmer arm.

What results can I expect from an arm lift?
A surgical arm lift is used to correct hanging skin and small amounts of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet to avoid a dramatic change in your weight, which might undo your results. Once your arms are fully healed and Dr. Rao has authorized it, you can begin weight training. This is a great way to add shape to your arms by strengthening and toning the muscles.

Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
While there are a lot of nonsurgical skin tightening options, most will only provide mild improvements. To correct moderate to severe amounts of loose skin, arm lift surgery is your best option. Along with treating excess skin, Dr. Rao also performs liposuction on small amounts of fat and smoothes the remaining skin and tissue for a better result. If you are interested in nonsurgical procedures, Dr. Rao can tell you about all possible treatments during your consultation and help you decide which is best for your goals.

Don't let the flabby, loose skin on your arms resolve you to wearing long-sleeves or other concealing clothing throughout the year. Arm lift surgery can improve the appearance of excess skin from the elbow to the upper arm. This innovative procedure provided both physical and emotional benefits to patients all throughout Tucson, AZ. If you're looking to improve your appearance and achieve your body goals with an effective cosmetic procedure, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery.