Is an Arm Lift Right for You?

An arm lift, known as a Brachioplasty, until recently was the procedure of choice to correct loose skin in the upper arm. Loose skin is typically the result of aging and weight gain or weight fluctuations earlier in life as well as genetics and sun exposure. Until now, patients had legitimate concerns about the scarring associated with conventional arm-lifts. Now with the new Smartlipo arm-lift, excess fat can be melted away and skin tightened all under local anesthesia through an inconspicuous tiny incision. Patients return to work after a few days and can resume most activities after 2 weeks. For patients who have a more pronounced degree of excess skin, a mini “nip-and–tuck” , a mini-Brachioplasty ,where the scar is limited to the arm-pit can be combined with the Smartlipo arm-lift. Only in patients who have extreme excess of skin is a conventional brachioplasty necessary where the scar runs from the armpit midway down on the inside of the arm. When a brachioplasty is indicated, your physician can help you decide on whether a general anesthetic or sedation is appropriate for your situation. After surgery, you can expect approximately 2 weeks of swelling and mild discomfort while the body goes through the healing process. Usually moderate exercise can be performed around 14-21 days following the procedure.