Introduction
If you have loose or sagging skin on your upper arms, arm reduction surgery, also known as brachioplasty or arm lift surgery, could help to give you slimmer, more shapely and youthful looking arms. The procedure reduces the amount of loose skin that leads to ‘bingo wings’ or ‘bat wings’, and may give women back the confidence to wear short sleeved clothes again. It is often performed when substantial weight loss has resulted in loose, sagging skin that can’t be improved through regular physical activity.
Your consultation
During your consultation your surgeon should ask about your general medical history. You should discuss the outcome you are seeking and whether this is possible and how much scarring you would find acceptable.As with any other surgery, the extent of the problem and amount of correction that is necessary would determine how much skin would need to be removed and how extensive the scarring would be. Post-operative scars on the body will always be more visible than scars on the face, although much of the scarring can be hidden in your bodies natural folds.
What to expect from your operation
This surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia. It may be performed as a day case or you may spend a night in hospital after your procedure. As part of your operation, the surgeon may perform liposuction on the inner part of the arm or thigh to reduce volume and mobilise the skin.
After your surgery
You should not experience a significant amount of pain. However, suitable pain relief will be provided for you. Avoid exercise for 1 month after surgery. Gradually resume normal activities after 1 month. If you do sedentary work (office) you should be able to return to work in around 7 – 10 days.
The risks
Bleeding, which is most often manifested as bruising, should not alter at the end result.
Infection can lead to wound breakdown. In most of these cases conservative management using dressings, antibiotic creams, etc., would help the wound to settle down.