Bariatric surgeries are on the rise as the rates of obesity increase. These procedures, when successful, usually leave a once severely overweight individual with excess skin and flab that will never return to its original elasticity. Many procedures focus on helping target the areas with extra, saggy skin and returning these areas to a more contoured look. One very noticeable area with sagging in these bariatric surgery patients post procedure (around one year, after they’ve lost a significant amount of weight) is the upper arms. The surgery for tightening this area of the body is referred to as a brachioplasty. It is also commonly referred to as an “arm lift.”
Aside from previously overweight patients, any man or woman with undesirable sagging in the upper arms is a candidate for brachioplasty, unless they’ve undergone a full mastectomy or have chronic infections or swelling of the sweat glands in the armpits. These patients will have constant swelling in the arms and the brachioplasty would be dangerous for their health.
This form of body contouring is often done in conjunction with liposuction and removes excess fat and skin anywhere from the elbow to the shoulder. Extreme cases will run the entire length of the upper arm while less severe cases may cover a much smaller area. Because the skin will be removed completely, a scar from the length of skin removal is inevitable. With the latest techniques and skilled doctors, scarring is usually minimal and the aesthetic and psychological benefits outweigh the potential of developing a large scar.
After surgery, patients can count on resting their arms from unnecessary exercise or activity for at least 2 weeks and elevation may be needed for 1-2 weeks to prevent swelling. Either compression garments or a light dressing will cover the upper arms after surgery until stitches are removed 7-9 days post procedure. The entire recovery can be as quick as 2 weeks and as long as 6, with patients needing to take at least several days of vacation from work where applicable.
Typical pricing for a quality brachioplasty from a qualified surgeon will range from $2,500 to $5,000. Depending on the surgeon, financing may be available since the cost of the procedure is almost never covered by traditional medical insurance. The severity of the procedure will also have a bearing on the final cost.
