Many people have unshapely and saggy upper arms, especially as they get older or lose a significant amount of weight. An arm lift from Emmett Plastic Surgery can give your upper arms a toned and fit appearance. Dr. Jennifer Emmett, board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, has helped many people from Denver, Lone Tree, and Douglas County tighten their upper arms, safely reduce upper arm size, and feel comfortable with their arms.
What is an Arm Lift?
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and excess fat deposits in the upper arm. With age, skin can become loose and flabby. Dr. Emmett performs arm lifts on men and women who want to reshape their upper arms and tighten this skin.
If your upper arms don’t look firm and toned, you may want to discuss an arm lift with Dr. Emmett. She may recommend liposuction as a solution. Liposuction is a simple procedure that removes excess fat in the upper arms to sculpt a new look. After most arm lift procedures, patients feel a boost in their self-esteem and confidence.
An arm lift can help patients achieve the following goals:
- Eliminate excess saggy skin that hangs down when arms are extended away from the body.
- Reduce localized fat pockets in the upper arm.
- Tighten and even out the underlying supportive tissue that shapes and defines the arm.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?
Generally speaking, the following individuals are good candidates for an arm lift:
- Adults of any age who have a relatively stable weight and who are not morbidly obese.
- Individuals who have a positive demeanor and who understand that an arm lift is part of a solution to looking and feeling great.
- Healthy men and women who do not have medical conditions that would make healing difficult and who do not have conditions that could increase risk.
- Non-smokers.
- People who can commit to living a healthy lifestyle, since ongoing weight maintenance involves eating a good diet and exercising.
Keep in mind that an arm lift is not a solution for correcting weakened muscles in the upper arm. Many people that undergo arm lift procedures have tried toning and sculpting their upper arms, and they find that their problems do not lie in the muscles.
What Can I Expect From an Arm Lift?
Dr. Emmett performs arm lifts as outpatient procedures. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which lowers risks and produces faster recovery times. An arm lift typically takes a little more than two hours for the administering of anesthesia, the arm lift procedure, and the initial recovery time.
Your arm lift procedure can be performed at the same time as other cosmetic procedures that Dr. Emmett offers, such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, or Mommy Makeover. Of course, other cosmetic procedures will add to your total time spent at Dr. Emmett’s Denver-area cosmetic surgery office.
Your Arm Lift Procedure
Your arm lift procedure will begin with Dr. Emmett placing an incision on the inside of your upper arm. The incision may extend from the underarm to the elbow, or it may be shorter in length. The length of the incision is based upon on Dr. Emmett’s preferred technique for your individual circumstance.
During your arm lift procedure, Dr. Emmett will use internal sutures to tighten and reshape the underlying supportive tissues. She will smooth the overlying skin over the new contour of your arm, and then use absorbable stitches or sutures to close the incision. These stitches or sutures will be removed in one to two weeks after your arm lift.
What to Expect After an Arm Lift?
After your arm lift procedure is completed, Dr. Emmett will cover your incisions with dressings. Your arms may need to be wrapped in an elastic bandage to minimize swelling and to support the soft tissues during the healing process.
You might need to have small, thin drainage tubes placed under the skin to remove excess blood or fluid. Before you are released from our office, you will be given specific instructions for healing that may include the following:
- The types of topical or oral medication that can be used to enhance healing and reduce infection.
- How to care for your surgical site and drains.
- Signs to look for around the surgical site that may indicate a problem.
- When to follow up with Dr. Emmett.
Healing and After Care
Your arms will likely be swollen and bruised after your arm lift. You may experience some discomfort following your cosmetic procedure as well. You can reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort with medication. You will want to keep your arms elevated for several days following your arm lift procedure.
Dr. Emmett will let you know when you can lift with your arms. It will probably be several weeks before you will regain complete range of motion in your arms. You should wait a few days to return to work or perform light activities. You should try to walk as soon as possible after your arm lift to minimize the potential for blood clots and other complications.
How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?
An arm lift at Dr. Emmett’s Denver-area cosmetic surgery office will vary in cost depending on the patient and the amount of work that needs to be done on the arm. Since an arm lift is considered an elective procedure by insurance providers, they won’t cover the costs. Dr. Emmett tries to make arm lifts and other cosmetic procedures affordable, so she offers financing options via CareCredit®, Simmons Bank, and Prosper® Healthcare Lending. Dr. Emmett’s cosmetic surgery office also accepts checks, cash, and credit cards.
Schedule a Consultation
If you live in Denver, Lone Tree, or the greater Douglas County area and are interested in an arm lift, call (303) 955-7545 to schedule a consultation. The Emmett Plastic Surgery staff wants you to feel comfortable and confident in your body.
