Are you reluctant to wear short sleeves because you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your upper arms? Sagging skin and excess fat are common problems that can produce the appearance of what is commonly referred to as “bat wings.” Unfortunately, this issue is usually not fixable via diet and exercise. You might elect to undergo upper arm lift surgery, which is also known as brachioplasty. What happens during this procedure? Continue reading below to gain a general understanding of how it works.

Consultation

The brachioplasty process starts with a consultation. Your surgeon will look at your arms and ask you about your goals and lifestyle. If you want this surgery due to sagging skin after significant weight loss, your surgeon will want to make sure that your weight is relatively stable.

Feel free to ask questions during your consultation — you should be well informed about the road ahead.

Anesthesia and Sedation

Very often, an upper arm lift does not require general anesthesia. Your surgeon may use local anesthetic to numb your arms. Some patients are also put under the influence of mild sedation, which may make you feel drowsy and relaxed but will not cause total unconsciousness. You should be quite comfortable during your procedure.

Reshaping Your Arms

Your surgeon will need to make incisions to remove excess skin. The size and location of the incisions depends on the details of each unique case, but your surgeon will do what they can to make sure that any scarring is as subtle as possible. For example, they may try to conceal scars in your armpits.

The surgeon may also use liposuction to remove excess fat that has been unresponsive to diet and exercise. To finish the surgery, any incisions will be closed.

Recovery

Brachioplasty usually takes just a few hours, and it is often an outpatient procedure. You can expect to go home on the same day as your surgery! Full recovery can take several weeks to several months. During that period, you may need to wear compression garments and follow other instructions from your surgical team. You might need to avoid driving for a week or longer, and it would be wise to abstain from strenuous exercise for at least six weeks.

You should start to notice the results of your surgery within a few weeks, but it can take up to a full year for your tissues to settle and for any scarring to mature.

An upper arm lift might give you new confidence in your favorite outfits! Talk to a qualified surgeon if you believe you could benefit from this procedure.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Irvin M. Wiesman is an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who is proud to offer upper arm lift surgery and a wide range of other procedures. If you are looking to enhance your body’s shape, he and our team would be pleased to answer your questions. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact Wiesman Cosmetic Surgery in Chicago at 312-981-1290.