An arm lift, also known as a “brachioplasty,” is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to remove excess fat and skin from the upper arms for a more toned, youthful appearance. Dr. Hutchinson, a Fellowship trained, board certified plastic surgeon caring for patients from NYC and beyond is a leading authority when it comes to utilizing state of the art surgical techniques that produce elegant, natural-looking outcomes.
Arm Lift Procedure Details
An arm lift is performed under local anesthesia with sedation (“twilight” anesthesia) and usually takes 1-2 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. During an arm lift, Dr. Hutchinson will create an incision so that she can access the fat underneath the dermis and remove excess skin. The incision is either limited to the underarm area or hidden along the inside of the upper arm, extending from the underarm towards the elbow. Excess fat from the upper arm may be removed using liposuction circumferentially. Excess skin is then trimmed and the remaining skin is tightened and sutured into place. Once the fat is removed, and the skin is smoothed, the incision is closed with resorbable sutures that will gradually disappear on their own.
For patients with only a small amount of loose skin, a short scar or minimally invasive arm lift procedure may be indicated. This type of arm lift surgery requires a short incision near the underarm area and permits limited removal of fat and tissue. For patients who have more significant amounts of unwanted arm skin or fat, better results may be obtained with more extensive surgery. Dr. Hutchinson will determine which surgical option is right for you after a physical examination and discussion of your individual goals for cosmetic surgery.
Some patients may benefit from additional body contouring procedures which are often performed concurrently, including liposuction, abdominoplasty, or breast enhancement.
