Loose skin happens with natural aging and significant weight loss. The tissues lose elasticity as you get older, causing sagging, creepy skin that can form a batwing appearance in the upper arms. Exercise and diet changes cannot directly address loose arm skin or upper arm flaps, but brachioplasty with our board-certified plastic surgeon can restore a tighter, younger arm contour. Dr. Erwin Bulan offers arm lift (brachioplasty) to eliminate sagging skin and fat between the armpit and elbow.
HOW AN ARM LIFT WORKS
Brachioplasty reduces upper arm sagging or batwings and tightens underlying supportive structures for better arm definition. The procedure may remove localized fat pockets with excision or liposuction.
Arm lift surgery begins with general anesthesia or IV sedation. Dr. Bulan may use one of three incision techniques depending on the amount of excess skin. Incisions typically run along the inside or the back of the upper arm, extending from the underarm to slightly above the elbow. The incision may extend into the underarm for severely loose skin. A minimal incision approach may be an option for patients with mildly loose skin, limiting the incision to the underarm area where it’s less visible.
Excess fat might be removed with the loose skin tissue or treated with liposuction. Dr. Bulan will tighten and reshape the underlying supportive tissues with internal sutures and smooth the skin over the new, tighter arm contour. The incisions are closed with absorbable sutures or stitches and removed up to a week after the arm lift surgery.
You will notice a more youthful arm shape immediately after surgery, but swelling and bruising will mask your full results for several weeks to a few months.
ARM LIFT VS. UPPER ARM LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction involves tiny incisions, and some patients may want to address upper arm flaps or batwings with arm liposuction. However, liposuction focuses on removing excess fat and doesn’t address loose, sagging skin. Someone with good skin elasticity with stubborn upper arm fat may benefit from liposuction over brachioplasty, but arm lift is typically the better option for sagging skin. Arm lift and liposuction can be combined for optimal results for people with batwings and upper arm flab. These procedures are often combined with other body procedures, such as tummy tuck, for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.
If you struggle with loose skin in your upper arms, contact Bulan Plastic Surgery to learn more about brachioplasty. Schedule an arm lift consultation with Dr. Bulan in Milburn, New Jersey, today by calling (973) 467-9744.
