Arm Lift Before & After
Upper Arm Lift St. Peters & St. Louis, MO
Tone & Tighten Your Arms
There are multiple factors that can contribute to sagging tissue and the loss of definition in the upper arms. Genetics can play a role, as can losing a significant amount of weight, as well as the way in which the skin loses some of its elasticity as we grow older.
But the good news is that the plastic surgeons at Renaissance Plastic Surgery have helped many patients who are unhappy with the excess fat and loose, hanging skin on their upper arms. Technically known as Brachioplasty, an arm lift can shape and tone the arm by tightening the skin.
What Results Can I Expect from My Arm Lift?
An arm lift reshapes the upper arms to a more toned, slimmer profile. The goal of this surgery is to tighten support muscles and remove stretched, hanging skin on the upper arms. This effectively removes the extra skin and with it the effect colloquially known as “bat wings” where the skin flaps back and forth with arm movement.
Arm lifts are very satisfying procedures as they allow our Renaissance Plastic Surgery patients to again wear sleeveless fashions, bathing suits, and all kinds of other clothes without wondering if others are noticing their loose upper arms.
While your results are immediate, there will be some residual swelling that can come and go. Plus, your incision scar will take some time to calm down. In time it will become faint and nearly invisible. Plus, our surgeons place the incision on the underside of the arm that is generally held close to the body. In about 3 months, you should be able to enjoy the full results of your arm lift.
What Can I Do on My Own to Help with My Healing and Recovery?
Wearing your compression garments and avoiding any heavy lifting are the two most important aspects of your recovery that you need to be diligent about. Your compression garments help to control any swelling, and they help your skin tighten down. But they also help to keep your arms from moving, as movement can impede healing. You do need to be very cautious about lifting. Five pounds is the maximum for the first week, and only 10 pounds the second. If possible, it’s best to not lift anything over 15 pounds for an additional two weeks. After about a month, you should be good to go.
Arm Lift FAQ
How long will the results from my arm lift last?
Do I have to sleep in a specific way after an arm lift?
Will I have a noticeable scar from this procedure?
How can I minimize the appearance of my incision scar after my arm lift?
When can I return to working out after an arm lift?
Are There Risks to a Brachioplasty?
What are the Alternatives to Arm Lift Surgery?
How long will the results from my arm lift last?
The changes made by your Renaissance surgeon are permanent changes. The excess loose skin that is removed is gone for good. Fat pockets removed with liposuction are gone as well. Support muscles are tightened, and they will remain that way. Sure, you will have some sagging as you continue to age, but your arms will never again develop the degree of loose skin that made you seek this surgery in the first place. These are satisfying results that will endure.
Do I have to sleep in a specific way after an arm lift?
For the first week, our surgeons recommend that you sleep on your back in a propped-up position. A recliner is good, or you can arrange pillows so that you can’t roll over. You can place your arms on a pillow on each side. After that, you can sleep on your side or stomach when you feel comfortable.
Will I have a noticeable scar from this procedure?
Short of a tummy tuck, arm lifts have one of the longer incisions in cosmetic surgery. This is simply due to the length of the upper arm. Your Renaissance Plastic Surgery surgeon places the incision as innocuously as possible on the underside of the arm. Still, there will be a scar. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the scar fades, however, especially if you protect it from sun exposure for the first few months.
How can I minimize the appearance of my incision scar after my arm lift?
The most important way to help your incision scars lighten as quickly as possible is to keep all sun exposure off of them. That’s because the sun’s UV radiation will cause hyperpigmentation on the scar tissue. Cover your arms with broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. Better yet, keep the scars covered with clothing. You can use an over-the-counter silicone gel with various skin-healing ingredients and antioxidants. Regular application of topical silicone gel can improve the texture, color, and height of the scar. To allow the incision to heal as well as possible, you need to be very cognizant about not lifting much weight with your arms for about one month.
When can I return to working out after an arm lift?
For the first month, you need to avoid any exercises that directly stress the area and engage your upper arm muscles. This involves all weight lifting with the arms. After one month you can start cardiovascular activity, such as riding a stationary bike or brisk walking. You still need to wait on lifting or sports that engage your arms (such as tennis), however, for another two weeks. At six weeks you should be able to return to your normal exercise routines. Your Renaissance surgeon will discuss timelines for exercise and other normal activities during your follow-up.
Are There Risks to a Brachioplasty?
This is a surgical procedure, so it involves the same risks as with any surgery: excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, potential infection, and the like. Otherwise, this is a low-risk procedure. The upper arms involve large muscles and limited nerve exposure, so tightening the area up is a relatively straightforward procedure. Our Renaissance Plastic Surgery patients are very satisfied with their results from these procedures.
What are the Alternatives to Arm Lift Surgery?
If you have small amounts of fat to remove and you have good skin elasticity, our plastic surgeons at Renaissance may be able to perform your arm lift with liposuction alone, providing a much less invasive surgery, quicker recovery time, and little scarring.
Schedule A Consultation
Contact Us
