Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Brazil Rio de Janeiro

Body procedures (General Information)

Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Technical name: Brachioplasty
Body Parts: Arms
Anesthesia: Depends on your case and doctor
Surgery time: Between 2 and 3 hours
Clinic stay: 24h
Scar: Inside of upper arm
Pre-operative: Lab exams and medical evaluation
Post-operative: an elastic bandage or a compression garment will be applied
Recuperation period: Usually between 2 and 4 weeks
Results duration: Long-lasting

Upper Arm Lift, also known as Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the upper arm. It works from the armpit to the elbow, reducing the excess of sagging skin, the localized pockets of fat and also tightening and smoothing of upper arm tissue.

Who is a candidate for Upper Arm Lift?

If you have excess subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to diet and exercise.

If you wish to change the contours of your body. Commonly involved areas are the anterior part of the neck (under the chin), upper arms and armpits, male chest/breasts, trunk, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, inner knees, calves and ankles.

Patients desiring permanent improvement in contour abnormalities caused by excess fat.

The use of UAL allows safer removal of larger amounts of fat than with standard liposuction. This increase in safety is due to the reduced amount of blood removed with UAL. This means that UAL can be very useful to moderately overweight individuals even though UAL is not a weight loss method per se.

Expected results from Upper Arm Lift

Reduction of excessive skin and fat between the underarm and the elbow
Smoother skin and contours, by reshaping the upper arm
More toned arms

Anesthesia for Upper Arm Lift:

For an Upper Arm Lift, it can be chosen between intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. In case of general Anesthesia, you will sleep through the entire operation. If the option is intravenous sedation, sedatives will be injected to help you relax. The best anesthesia method depends on your individual case and what your doctor is recommending. You will decide with him what is better for you.

Upper Arm Lift Surgery

Incision type and size depend on the amount and location of the excessive skin and also on the surgeon’s decision.
The most common incisions are Inner Arm Incision, made on the inside of the arm, and Back of Arm Incision, made on the back of the arm. Both of them extend from the armpit to the elbow. In some situations, there might be only a Minimal Incision of the armpit necessary.
In some cases, it is also necessary to remove fat during the Upper Arm Lift. It can be done with liposuction or removed through excision.
After incisions are made, the underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped. Internal sutures are used and, after all, skin is smoothed over the arm.

Your new Appearance after Upper Arm Lift

Brachioplasty results are usually apparent almost immediately. Sometimes it is necessary to wait until swelling and bruising improve.
After the Arm Lift procedure, improvement in appearance and self-confidence is noticeable. Your lifted upper arms will look shaped and toned.

Recovery after Upper Arm Lift

To close the incisions, the surgeon will use absorbable sutures or stitches. External stitches will be removed between 1 to 2 weeks after the Upper Arm Lift procedure.
Dressings or bandages may also be applied and, in order to reduce swelling, an elastic bandage or a compression garment may be used.
In some cases, it is also necessary to place a small tube under the skin in order to drain the excess of blood or fluid.

What else you should know about Upper Arm Lift

Just like any surgery procedure, there are some risks. It is important to ask your plastic surgeon everything you would like to know and share with him all your feelings and fears.

Remember that, for long lasting results, it is important to maintain your weight and keep a healthy lifestyle.
It is also extremely important to follow your physician’s instructions, ensuring best results. The incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the healing process.

In some cases, another surgery might be necessary, in order to achieve better results.