How Brachioplasty Addresses Loose Arm Skin
After working hard to achieve a significant weight loss goal, you’re facing another challenge: loose skin. Specifically, you may be dealing with loose skin on your arms, which can be both a cosmetic and physical issue.
Loose skin after weight loss is a common occurrence for many people. When you gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the larger body size. When you lose this weight, especially if it’s a significant amount, your skin doesn’t always snap back into place. Instead, it may hang loosely from your body. This is particularly noticeable on the arms. This loose skin isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It can also lead to physical discomfort, including chafing and skin infections.
Dr Carmen Munteanu is a highly skilled Specialist Plastic Surgeon located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. As one of Melbourne’s most sought-after female Plastic Surgeons, she is recognised for her experience in aesthetic surgery, body contouring, arm lift surgery, and CoolSculpting procedures.
Take our Plastic Surgery Quiz to find out if you’d be a good candidate and if you are ready for cosmetic surgery.
Surgical Methods for Body Contouring – Arm Lift
Brachioplasty, or the arm lift, is a surgical method of body contouring specifically designed to address loose arm skin. But how does it compare to non-surgical methods like CoolSculpting, and why might you choose one over the other?
The truth is, while both methods can help change your body’s appearance after weight loss, they serve different purposes and deliver different results. CoolSculpting can help remove small areas of stubborn fat, but it can’t tighten loose skin. In contrast, Brachioplasty is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, resulting in a more toned and contoured appearance.
It’s also worth noting that surgical methods like brachioplasty often deliver more visible and immediate results. Once the swelling and bruising subside, the results of your arm lift will be visible. With CoolSculpting, it can take several months for the full results to be seen.
What is Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure specifically designed to address loose arm skin. Also known as an arm lift, brachioplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper arm. This results in a more toned and contoured appearance.
Brachioplasty works by making an incision along the underside of your upper arm. Dr Carmen then removes excess skin and fat before reshaping the remaining tissue and skin for a tighter, smoother look. The incision is then closed with sutures. The result? A more toned appearance of your arms.
It’s important to note that while brachioplasty can significantly change the appearance of your arms, it’s not a solution for significant weight loss. Rather, it’s a procedure that can help refine and enhance your body contour after you’ve already achieved a significant weight loss goal.
See more of Dr Carmen’s Arm lift Before and After Photos
What to Expect During and After Brachioplasty?
If you decide to proceed with brachioplasty, you might be wondering what to expect during and after the procedure. While your experience might vary depending on your individual circumstances and your surgeon’s techniques, here’s a general overview of the brachioplasty process.
During the procedure, which usually takes about two hours, Dr Carmen will make an incision along the underside of your arm. The size and location of the incision will depend on the amount of skin to be removed. Dr Carmen will then remove the excess skin and fat, reshape the remaining tissue, and close the incision with sutures.
After the procedure, you’ll likely experience some swelling and discomfort. You’ll be given specific instructions on how to care for your incisions and manage any pain. You’ll also be advised to avoid strenuous activity for several weeks to allow your body to heal.
Are You a Good Candidate for Brachioplasty?
So, are you a good candidate for brachioplasty? This is a question best answered in consultation with a plastic surgeon, but there are a few general factors that can make you a better candidate for this procedure.
Generally, good candidates for brachioplasty are individuals who have a significant amount of loose skin on their upper arms, usually as a result of significant weight loss. You should be at or near your ideal body weight and have maintained this weight for at least six months.
Good candidates are also in good overall health, as this reduces the risk of complications during surgery. You should also have realistic expectations for what brachioplasty can achieve. While it can significantly enhance the appearance of your arms, it’s not a weight loss solution and won’t change your overall body shape.
Download the Arm Lift Surgery – Brachioplasty Guide
Other Surgical Procedures
Arm Liposuction – Liposuction of your Arms
Liposuction is a commonly used cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat deposits. It’s a technique that can reshape specific areas of your body, such as your arms, by eliminating extra fat and enhancing your body contours. When it comes to dealing with loose skin after weight loss, liposuction might be a viable solution if your primary issue is stubborn arm fat rather than excess skin.
The right candidate for arm liposuction is someone with localised pockets of fat in the arms that are resistant to diet and exercise. It’s crucial to note that liposuction is not a weight loss solution but a body contouring method. Therefore, candidates should be close to their ideal body weight, have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone.
Benefits of Body Contouring Surgery after Weight Loss
Body contouring surgery after weight loss, such as brachioplasty, offers many benefits. Perhaps the most obvious is the improvement in your physical appearance. By removing excess skin and fat, body contouring surgery can help you achieve a more toned and proportionate appearance.
In addition to the cosmetic benefits, body contouring surgery can also have physical benefits. Excess skin can cause discomfort and physical issues such as chafing and skin infections. By removing this skin, body contouring surgery can alleviate these issues.
Tips for Maintaining Results after Surgery
After undergoing brachioplasty, it’s important to take steps to maintain your results. This includes maintaining a stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can affect the appearance of your arms. Regular exercise can also help maintain your results by keeping your arms toned and fit.
In addition to these physical measures, it’s also important to take care of your mental health. Body contouring surgery can be a significant change, and it’s normal to experience a range of emotions. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional.
FAQs about Solutions for Loose Arm Skin after Weight Loss
What is the recovery time for an arm lift surgery?
- An arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty, requires a recovery period of 2-4 weeks. During this time, patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Regular activities can usually be resumed after 2 weeks, while strenuous activities should be avoided for 6 weeks or until Dr Carmen gives you the go-ahead.
How long do the results of arm liposuction last?
- The results of arm liposuction can be long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. The fat cells that are removed during liposuction do not grow back. However, if you gain a significant amount of weight after the procedure, your body can still deposit fat in the treated areas.
Is CoolSculpting a good option for saggy skin?
- While CoolSculpting is an option for eliminating stubborn fat pockets, it is not designed to address significant skin laxity or sagging skin. CoolSculpting freezes and kills fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated by your body. However, it does not significantly tighten the skin. For saggy or loose skin, procedures like an arm lift might be more appropriate.
Will there be visible scars after an arm lift?
- Yes, scarring is a common side effect of arm lift surgery. The incisions are generally made on the inside or back of the arm and may extend from the underarm to just above the elbow. Over time, these scars will fade, but they won’t disappear completely.
Further Reading about Body Procedures with Dr Carmen
- Read Dr Carmen’s Arm Lift Surgery in Melbourne Victoria by Dr Carmen
- Read Dr Carmen’s Blog about Medical Benefits of Body Lift after Large Weight Loss
- Read Dr Carmen’s Blog about Recovery After Arm Lift Surgery – How to Get the Best Results
Medical References about Skin Elasticity after Weight Loss
- What is a brachioplasty procedure? – Medical News Today
- Skin Protein Profile after Major Weight Loss and Its Role in Body Contouring Surgery – NCBI
- Aspects Of Excess Skin in Obesity, After Weight Loss – Science Direct
- Excess Skin Removal: What It Is, Surgery, Procedures – Cleveland Clinic
