Brachioplasty, referred to as arm lift surgery, is a procedure in which excess fat and skin are trimmed from the backs of the arms. You may know this tissue as “bat wings,” the term that has been used for years to describe the looseness that flaps in when the arms are raised to wave or perform other tasks. Sagging arm tissue may be a remnant of excess weight that sticks around years after significant body reshaping. This happens because skin that is stretched may not bounce back. Age is another factor that contributes to sagging upper arms. Fortunately, whatever the cause, brachioplasty can restore shape to this part of the body.
How an Arm Lift Works
Brachioplasty reshapes the arms by trimming excess skin and tissue from the underside of each arm. This may stretch from the armpit area to the elbow or may extend below the elbow when necessary. The length of arm that needs to be shaped determines the length of the incision. Knowing that incisions result in scarring, Dr. Trussler marks the arms carefully to position incisions where scars will be most discreet.
After incisions are made, internal tissue is tightened using sutures. The excess is trimmed. Skin is then pulled back over the tightened muscle and connective tissue. Excess is trimmed and incisions are stitched closed.
Liposuction may be Involved
The arms are a common area for fat accumulation. To achieve the best results from brachioplasty, Dr. Trussler may also include liposuction in the treatment plan. This technique, which carefully extracts fatty deposits, may be performed first, before tissue and skin tightening.
Outpatient Surgery with General Anesthesia
Brachioplasty procedures are typically performed in an accredited outpatient surgery center. Patients are given general anesthesia that will cause them to sleep throughout their treatment. Under general anesthesia, a patient may have a breathing tube inserted to help them breathe. This is done after they are fully anesthetized so they do not feel a thing. The tube is removed before they wake up.
The arms can be a difficult area of the body to tone when tissue has become lax and thin. Brachioplasty can help. To learn more about this procedure, schedule a consultation in our Austin office at (512) 450-1077.