Many people who have undergone high-volume weight loss experience loose skin in the upper arm area. The bagginess of the upper arm, especially when severe, can create a “bat-wing”-like appearance and can be the cause of much embarrassment and self-consciousness. People with loose, baggy arms seldom are able to wear sleeveless clothing. The constant rubbing in the arm pit can also cause irritation and skin breakdown, especially during the summer time when the ambient temperature is high.

Arm lift or brachioplasty is a procedure which addresses loose skin in the upper arm. Depending on the severity of the loose skin, brachioplasty can consist of liposuction alone, skin and fat excision (removal) alone, or a combination of both. Liposuction is the least invasive of these procedures. However, the use of liposuction is reserved for only mild cases of loose upper arm skin. Most people who have had high-volume weight loss require some form of skin and fat excision from the upper arm. There is a permanent scar which is located down the long axis of the upper arm, on the inner aspect from the arm pit to the area just above the elbow. There also may be a scar in the arm pit, itself. However, the scar tends to be hidden in the inner aspect of the arm, facing the torso and is not readily noticeable when the patient is walking or standing with arms to the side.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. However, the procedure is done on an outpatient basis. Most patients are able to return to full activity including exercise by 2-3 weeks.

Dr. Lee's postoperative instructions for arm lift

1. Your arms are bandaged with an ACE wrap. Leave them on, along with your dressings for 48 hours. Then, you can take the ACE bandage and all other dressings off and get in the shower. Leave your Steri-strips (surgical tape along the incision line) on for the shower. You can take the drains into the shower as well. After showering, pat dry all of your incisions and wrap your arms in the ACE wrap again. If there is drainage on the ACE wrap, place clean pieces of gauze on the incision line and wrap the ACE bandage over the gauze. Absolutely no baths or swimming for 2-3 weeks. Showering is OK.
   
   
2. Empty and record your drain output daily. The markings are on the side of the drain bulb in increments of 25cc. The drains will be pulled out in the office when the total daily output is less than 30cc.
   
   
3. Call and make a follow-up appointment for 7 days following surgery.
   
   
4. Elevate your arms as much as possible. If you overuse your arms early on, your arms will swell and stay persistently swollen for a longer period of time.
   
   
5. If the ACE wrap is too tight, you can rewrap them, but the wrap has to start from your hands all the way up to your axilla (arm pit). The wrap will be required for a total of three weeks following surgery.
   
   
6. The area of most swelling and redness will be in your inner elbow area. This will improve gradually with time. Again, gentle compression is the key to improvement.
   
   
7. Do not apply a heating pad over your arms. Portions of your arms will be numb and you may get a burn from the heating pad.
   
   
8. Scar therapy for your arm incisions will start at 2 weeks following surgery. Dr. Lee will instruct you regarding scar creams.
   
   
9. Stay out of the sun. Sun exposure will make your scars red, raised, and persistently irritated for a long period of time. Make every effort to avoid the sun for up to 1 year following surgery. You can cover up the incision with sun screen (SPF 15 or above) or long sleeved clothing.
   
   
10. You may return to normal activity and exercise in 3 weeks following surgery. You still may have some swelling in your arms, and this will require holding off on exercise for longer than 3 weeks after surgery.
    
    
11. As arm scars are often stubborn regardless of how well or meticulous the surgery is performed, you may require injection of the scars with a low-dose steroid after 3 months. This injection is completely safe and is done in the office.
    
    
12. You may feel “funny”, tingling sensations in your upper arms a few weeks after surgery. This is normal recovery of some sensory nerves in your upper arms.
    
    
13. Call with any questions or concerns. Dr. Lee is available through the office phone number 24/7. Don’t ever feel badly about calling.

For arm lift surgery in Newport Beach California contact this board certified plastic surgeon.