An arm lift is a precise procedure that is part of body contouring operations. The area from the armpit down to the elbow in some people over time becomes saggy. It’s often referred to as “bat wings”. This is more commonly seen in individuals who have lost significant weight. However, it can occur after multiple pregnancies or in middle life or beyond.
The diagnosis is excess skin and excess fat from the armpit down to the elbow. When the patient holds her arm out at ninety degrees this demonstrates very clearly the excess tissue that would benefit from excision. The medial arm lifts. Other areas of the arm can be lifted but we will stick with the medial arm area.
The incision for this procedure is lengthy and that extends as expected from the armpit down to the elbow. Occasionally it can be accompanied by liposuction of the deltoid or lateral part of the arm to improve the overall contour and reduce the size of the arm.
Arm Lift Procedure
The operation can be done under local with sedation, but I prefer general anesthesia as I believe it’s safer. We usually perform this procedure in our practice in conjunction with other body contouring operations. For example, a tummy tuck or possibly a facelift. As we have emphasized, we offer a very detailed preoperative evaluation both anatomically, emotionally, and physiologically to maximize the outcome in the safest possible fashion. General anesthesia in the outpatient facility is the rule.
Every patient is different in terms of healing capacity but the general principles that must be followed include hydration nutrition and limited activity. It takes about a month for the length of that incision to equal normal skin. Therefore, for two months we avoid strenuous activity and we urge always wear compression garments.
Scar treatments can start as early as 3 to 4 weeks postop. We offer a variety of treatments including medical grade scar cream options as well as other non-surgical treatments to the surgical site to minimize the scar. Keep in mind that because of the high activity level of the arm, it will take up to a year or more for full healing to occur.
During that time, we follow patients very closely to achieve the best possible outcome.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
