Brachioplasty is the medical name for what’s known as “arm reduction” surgery. If you’ve heard of this procedure, you might be wondering what it involves and what kind of results it can achieve. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most important details about brachioplasty, including what it is and what patients should know before getting their surgery.
Doing your research before getting a surgical procedure is always a good idea – you should familiarise yourself with the risks and benefits, surgical options and techniques, and what’s involved in aftercare. To learn what you might expect from brachioplasty surgery, you can book a consultation with a skilled surgeon at Form & Face in Sydney.
What’s involved in brachioplasty surgery?
Brachioplasty surgery is considered a type of skin reduction surgery. This means it involves removing extra skin that has become stretched or loose around the upper arms. Often, this extra skin is a result of weight loss, where the skin has lost elasticity and is no longer able to reduce to fit firmly around the smaller arm shape.
In order to ameliorate this issue, surgeons such as Dr Norris use surgical equipment and techniques to excise (remove) the extra skin. An incision is made, typically on the underside of the arm, running from the upper part down towards the elbow. Then, the required section of skin is removed and the incision wound is closed. For some patients, liposuction can also be employed to help remove excess fat from the area. This involves breaking up the fat tissue and suctioning it from the area using a specialised cannula.
Each patient’s surgery might look slightly different due to differences in patient circumstances and desired outcomes. This means a consultation is always necessary to identify the patient’s concerns and work towards a solution that works for that individual.
Who is a candidate?
A surgery “candidate” is someone who is eligible to get the procedure – this is decided by a specialist plastic surgeon after assessing the person’s needs. Candidates for the procedure usually desire surgery to removethe skin from their upper arms, either for aesthetic reasons or to help improve arm mobility or skin quality. For example, you might like to reduce arm skin in order to address:
- The appearance of loose arm skin
- Skin irritation or rashes under the arms
- Discomfort due to excess skin
- Difficulty moving or lifting your arms
Whether you’re a candidate for brachioplasty surgery is usually based on a number of factors: your health, smoking status, amount of excess skin, goals and expectations, and whether you understand the risks. If you’re a smoker, you should be prepared to quit for at least a period of several weeks both pre and post-surgery. Candidates should also have good general health and realistic expecations, understanding the recovery involved and that all surgeries result in some amount of scarring.
If you have any concerns about what to expect or want to know if you’re a candidate, Dr Norris welcomes questions about brachioplasty (arm lift) surgery in a private consultation.
Brachioplasty aftercare
Understanding arm lift (brachioplasty) surgery involves knowing about the recovery and aftercare process. This is because all surgeries involve incisions, and those incision wounds will need enough time and care to heal properly.
Following instructions for your aftercare helps scar tissue to form naturally and the arm tissue to settle into its new position. On the other hand, if a patient doesn’t follow their aftercare instructions, they’re at a higher risk of healing complications, large scarring, and generally poor results. So, it’s definitely an important part of the process.
So, what does aftercare involve?
Aftercare involves a few different considerations. Firstly, you will need to schedule time away from your usual activities, such as work and exercise routines. Most patients should take at least two weeks off work, but the amount of time may be more if you have a physically strenuous job or a job that requires a lot of arm movement. This time off helps the body to rest and heal.
You may be given other instructions about wound care. Patients will need to attend follow-up appointments to monitor their healing and help address any issues or concerns. Additionally, patients need to:
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Organise for a friend or family member to support you in the initial recovery
- Drink water and eat a balanced diet
- Wear a compression garment for several weeks
Weigh the risks and benefits
As with any big decision, people who are considering getting brachioplasty surgery should make their decision from an informed standpoint. Consider the risks, costs, and recovery, and think about whether the benefits are worth it. Although you should listen carefully to the advice of a plastic surgeon about your options, ultimately, no one can tell you whether the procedure is worth it for you – you will need to consider your own goals and circumstances.
Possible risks include wound healing complications, anaesthesia reactions, infections, poor scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, and unwanted results. Choosing a reliable surgeon with the appropriate qualifications is a good way to reduce your chances of complications; however, some amount of risk will be present regardless.
If risks or scarring are concerns for you, you can speak about this with Dr Norris who aims to give honest and caring advice.
Choose Dr Norris for brachioplasty surgery in Sydney (Bondi Junction) and Bella Vista
A consultation with an experienced and caring plastic surgeon, such as Sydney surgeon Dr Norris, can be very helpful when weighing and choosing your options. Each patient needs individualised care and attention to their needs and cosmetic goals in order to get the most out of their surgery. So, your consultation is your opportunity to express these needs to Dr Norris and ask any questions you might have about brachioplasty surgery.
Once you and your surgeon are on the same page, you will have the chance to get a personalised surgical plan for your arm reduction (brachioplasty). Get in touch to book your appointment and discuss whether brachioplasty can fit your needs at Form & Face.