Arm Lift Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Arm Lift Surgery FAQs
Bat wings, bingo wings … whatever you call it, unsightly flab that hangs down from the arms are one of the most common aesthetic concerns among women and men in the Birmingham, MI area. Fortunately, arm lift surgery performed by renowned Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali can make loose, flabby arm skin a thing of the past.
And according to statistics, the popularity of arm lift surgery is on the rise. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that, over the last 10 years, the number of arm lift surgeries performed in the U.S. has increased by a whopping 4,378%!
With new technologies and surgical techniques constantly improving, the entire arm lift surgery process is now easier than ever – for both surgeons and patients! Thanks to modern advancements, arm lift surgery patients are able to enjoy better results than ever, with significantly less downtime.
In this article Birmingham, MI board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali answers frequently asked questions about arm lift surgery.
Is brachioplasty the same as arm lift surgery?
Yes. The medical term for arm lift surgery is brachioplasty. The word brachioplasty comes from the words brachio (meaning arm) and plasty (meaning to reshape).
What is done in arm lift surgery?
During arm lift surgery, excess tissue from the upper arm (sometimes known as a “bat wing”) is surgically removed. Board certified Birmingham, MI area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali performs brachioplasty using either direct excision (wherein the excess tissue is removed by cutting) or through a combination of direct excision and liposuction.
Many of arm lift surgery patients achieve their desired results through direct excision alone. Depending on the needs of each individual patient, however, liposuction may also be necessary.
How is arm lift surgery different from liposuction?
Arm lift surgery is performed to remove damaged or loose skin from the upper arm, whereas liposuction is performed to remove excess fat. Liposuction and arm lift surgery may be performed together or separately. Depending upon whether the patient has excess fat, excess loose arm skin, or both.
Is arm lift surgery painful?
At AMAE Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, MI, we strive to always provide the most painless experience. During arm lift surgery patients typically receive general anesthetic (are “put under”). And, while we remind our patients that all surgical body contouring procedures come with some degree of discomfort afterwards, the majority of our patients agree that the pain from the arm lift procedure during recovery is extremely tolerable. Arm lift surgery patients are prescribed prescription pain medicine for their recovery, and most patients no longer find their pain medication necessary once a few days have passed.
What type of anesthesia is used for arm lift surgery?
Most cases of arm lift surgery performed at our Birmingham, MI practice see the patient “put under” with general anesthesia. Depending on the needs of the patient, Dr. Ali may also administer an injection of local anesthetic to the surgical area once the patient is fully anesthetized.
Where is the incision made during arm lift surgery?
The size and location of your arm lift surgery incision will be determined by several factors. The amount of tissue being removed, as well as the tissue’s location on the arm will all inform where your arm lift surgery incision is made.
Most arm lift surgery incisions extend from the underarm to the elbow on the upper arm’s underside. In cases where the excess tissue is located exclusively on the upper arm, patients may qualify for a short-scar arm lift surgery, where the incision is made in the armpit area, in the shape of a crescent.
Does arm lift surgery leave scars?
Arm lift surgery – like any surgery – does result in some scarring at the surgical site. However, Dr. Ali’s decades of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon have provided him with expert skill in concealing and minimizing incision scars. By making arm lift surgery incisions on the arm’s inner side, Dr. Ali is able keep arm lift surgery scars to an absolute minimum.
And, for patients who are good candidates for short-scar arm lift surgery, the incision is made in the shape of a crescent in the armpit area, where it is almost invisible.
What should I expect after my arm lift surgery?
Patients should be able to resume normal activity within a couple days after their arm lift surgery. In order to prevent blood clots, patients should begin light walking within a day of their arm lift surgery. If surgical glue has been used to close the incision, patients will not require having sutures removed. However, arm lift surgery patients may be fitted with surgical drains. Following the procedure, in order to minimize swelling, patients will most likely also be given a compression garment to wear.
We remind our Birmingham, MI area arm lift surgery patients that (as with any surgery) some pain, bruising, or swelling is a perfectly normal part of the recovery process, which should subside after about a month.
Arm lift surgery patients who work in an office can generally return to work as soon as one week after their procedure. For clients who work more physically-intensive jobs, best results tend to come from waiting two weeks before returning to work. But regardless of your employment, all arm lift surgery patients must take extreme care to avoid making any choices that could elevate their blood pressure for at least seven days following surgery.
Strenuous activities must also be avoided for about 6 weeks after arm lift surgery. Depending on each patient’s individual recovery, intermittent follow up visits with board certified Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali will be scheduled.
Can I make my recovery from arm lift surgery faster?
Arm lift surgery patients looking for a swifter recovery process have a number of options available to them. First and foremost, board certified Birmingham, MI plastic surgeon Dr. Ali recommends that arm lift surgery clients refrain from smoking for at least 6 weeks prior to their procedure. Additionally, for 10 days before arm lift surgery, patients should abstain from drinking alcohol. And for best results, we strongly suggest that recovering arm lift surgery patients drink a gallon of water per day, for every day of their recovery process.
Arm lift surgery patients should also designate a room of their home specifically for their recovery, and prepare it with everything they will need to be comfortable while they heal. To prevent infection, Dr. Ali will also prescribe antibiotics to all arm lift surgery patients. In order for them to be effective, antibiotics must be taken exactly as prescribed.
How long will results last from my arm lift surgery?
While your body will still undergo the normal changes that come with aging, results from arm lift surgery are more or less permanent. Provided patients neither gain nor lose a significant amount of weight following their procedure, they should be able to enjoy the results of their arm lift surgery permanently.
Is arm lift surgery covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, most insurance providers do not cover arm lift surgery. This is because arm lift surgery is typically considered “purely cosmetic” – meaning it has no medical benefit.
Only if a patient is able to prove that any surgery is a medical necessity, does the possibility exists for it to be fully or partially covered by insurance. However, we do offer convenient and easy financing so patients may get arm lift surgery as soon as possible. Be sure to discuss any financial concerns with our staff, who will gladly inform you of all financing options available to you.
Are there are alternatives to arm lift surgery?
Depending upon the patient’s level of skin looseness or elasticity, they may benefit from one of the non-surgical skin tightening procedures offered at AMAE, such as Profound RF skin tightening.
Additionally, for patients with good skin elasticity who are simply looking to remove excess arm fat, arm lift surgery might not be their only option. Such individuals may be able to reach their appearance goals with treatments like non-invasive CoolSculpting or minimally-invasive liposuction. These treatments are especially effective for tightening and toning arms when when combined with highly-effective, non-surgical Profound skin tightening.
During your consultation with board certified Birmingham, MI area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali, be sure to describe precisely what you hope to accomplish with arm lift surgery. Depending on your needs and desires, Dr. Ali may recommend arm lift surgery, or one of the many other less invasive aesthetic procedures we offer.
Arm Lift Surgery – Birmingham, MI
If you’re in the Birmingham, MI area and would like to get rid of jiggling, sagging skin and excess fat on your arms, you’re in luck. Arm lift surgery may be just what you need to get the trim, toned arms you’ve wanted for years.
Contact AMAE Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, MI to schedule your initial consultation. Video consultations are also available!
