Arm lift cosmetic surgery, or brachioplasty, is a procedure meant to enhance the contours of the upper arms and tighten sagging skin and muscles.
At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient about the steps involved in the procedure as well as answer their questions and clarify any doubts related to the arm lift surgery.
Brachioplasty is typically completed in around one to two hours, and the procedure steps may differ slightly depending on the type of technique used. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman provides arm lift to patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and surrounding communities.
Anesthesia or Sedation
After the patient is ready to be operated on, the initial step will be to administer the anesthesia or sedation. The surgeon will choose general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, depending on the unique circumstances of each case.
An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist will administer the anesthesia and will oversee the entire procedure to monitor the patient’s reaction.
In case intravenous sedation is used, it will induce a ‘twilight sleep.’ The patient will be technically awake, but not properly conscious of the procedure and will usually not recall anything after the surgery is over.
Incision Placement
When the patient is under the effect of anesthesia, the surgeon will place markings on the arms, elbows, and armpits according to the pre-determined brachioplasty surgical plan. The type of arm lift technique and extent of the procedure to be undertaken will determine the location, length, and direction of the incision lines.
The surgeon’s goal will be to place the incisions in a discreet manner to ensure that any future scarring remains minimally visible. Sometimes the incisions may be entirely hidden within the armpits or may run down the inside of the arms in the most inconspicuous locations possible.
Fat Reduction and Skin Tightening
The surgeon may perform liposuction in combination with an arm lift if the patient has stubborn fatty deposits in the upper arm region. The tumescent technique may be undertaken to suction out the undesirable fat in a less invasive way through the incisions.
The surgeon will trim away the excess skin and suture the incisions to create a smoother, tauter arm contour. Lastly, the surgeon will re-drape the remaining skin smoothly over the new arm contour.
Wound Closure
Upon completing the arm lift cosmetic surgery, the surgeon will carefully close the incisions with an aim to minimize scarring and enable quicker healing. They may place the sutures under the skin, where they will slowly be absorbed by the body.
Then the surgeon will apply a sterile dressing over the incisions and place a compression garment. They may use temporary drain tubes underneath the skin in the incision sites for a few days.
The patient will be brought out of the effects of the anesthesia and moved to an observation area for some hours. A majority of patients can go back home on the day of the surgery itself.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman receives patients from Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and nearby areas for arm lift.
To learn more about cosmetic treatment and procedures or to schedule a consultation by Cleveland Ohio area plastic surgeon, Dr. Bram Kaufman, please contact us at 1-216-778-2245 or click here.