ARM LIFT (BRACHIOPLASTY)

Arm lift surgery, also known as Brachioplasty, is a procedure used to tighten and remove excess skin under the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow. The development of excess skin under that area can occur for a number of reasons including heredity, weight fluctuations, and age.

Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Cara Downey is an expert with body contouring procedures. For over a decade, she has helped hundreds of men and women in Houston and its surrounding areas achieve the body shape they have always desired.

HOW MUCH DOES ARM LIFT COST IN OUR PRACTICE?

Brachioplasty in Houston can cost $5,000 – $10,000. The final cost will be determined by factors such as the location of the surgery, the chosen surgical technique, and other fees including anesthesia use.

Dr. Downey accepts cash, major credit cards, and personal checks. If the procedure is deemed to be medically necessary, costs can be covered by health insurance providers.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR THIS PROCEDURE?

• Traditional
  Dr. Downey removes excess fat, skin, and tissue from the armpit to the elbow.
• Extended
  This technique uses an incision that extends towards the chest or the wrist, depending on which area has loose skin or requires contouring.
• Hidden
  Also known as a limited-incision Brachioplasty, a hidden or “mini” arm lift involves a surgical incision along the underarm crease and is often used for moderate sagging.
• Liposuction
  This procedure can reshape the arm of patients with good skin elasticity, little-to-no excess skin, and a small amount of fat.

HOW IS ARM LIFT PERFORMED?

• Surgery Length
  The typical arm lift procedure takes 2 – 3 hours to complete.
• Anesthesia
  The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Additional numbing fluids are also injected into the treatment areas to further minimize pain.
• Incision
  Before the procedure begins, Dr. Cara Downey will mark the targeted areas. The next step is to remove excess skin in the region, which is normally in the form of a triangle or ellipse. Liposuction is occasionally used to improve results, but some fat is left in place to offer protection to arteries and nerves in the area.
• Sutures
  Dissolvable sutures will be used to tighten the skin and close the incisions. With traditional arm lift surgery, the scar is placed on the inside aspect along the length of the upper arm from axilla to elbow and may continue onto the side of the chest wall. For mini arm lift, the scar is a small vertical line on the crease of the underarm.

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED RECOVERY?

It can take 2 – 3 months to fully recover from an arm lift procedure. In most cases, patients are not required to stay overnight at the hospital after surgery. However, hospitalization may be necessary when patients have other body contouring procedures performed concurrently with the lift.

24 Hours After Surgery

• You will be provided with a compression garment that you must wear from 2 days – 2 months depending on the technique used.
• Mild bruising and swelling may occur but can be controlled with oral or topical painkillers.
• Clean the sutures by lightly dabbing them with antibacterial solutions recommended by Dr. Downey.

1 – 3 Weeks After Surgery

• Keep your arm below your shoulder for at least 1 – 3 weeks to ensure that the wounds heal properly.
• Showers may resume after 2 days, but avoid soaking your wounds for too long as this may interfere with the healing process.
• Maintain the use of clean, sterile bandages around the treated areas for 2 weeks.

3 Months after Surgery

• You may return to work after 2 – 4 weeks, depending on the nature of your job.
• Light physical activities such as walking and chores may resume after 3 weeks.
• Avoid heavy lifting for up to 6 – 8 weeks. You may also resume strenuous activities such as yoga and running after this time.
• If you follow your post-op instructions well, a thin white scar will form after 3 – 4 weeks. This will continue to fade for up to 6 – 8 weeks.