Arm Lift in Miami, FL

As a man or woman ages, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby, which may cause them great concern. Miami, FL board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. LaGrasso consults with these patients about having a surgery called an arm lift if they wish to tighten this upper arm skin to look and feel more youthful, toned, and slender. During this procedure, an incision is made that extends from the elbow to the underarm and sometimes on the side of the chest. In some instances, Dr. LaGrasso may recommend that liposuction be used alone or in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat in the upper arms for best aesthetic results.

The benefits of having an arm lift are not only the reduction of the size of the upper arm, but it will also increase your self-confidence. Losing the excess skin will help you wear clothes that fit properly and may even finally give you the courage to proudly wear short sleeves or a bathing suit in public without the fear of being embarrassed by your hanging, unattractive skin. We would like to have a personal consultation with you about your upper arm skin, and Dr. LaGrasso will provide you with a completely private consultation in his office. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

At Jeffrey LaGrasso M.D., patients who receive arm lifts benefit from a variety of outstanding outcomes following their treatment. Some of the benefits of an arm lift include:

• Removes hanging, loose skin

• Eliminates excess fat

• Tightens, smooths, and tones skin under the arm

• Achieves a more youthful look to the arms

• Enhances range of motion

• Allows you to be more active

• Gives you the ability to wear a variety of clothing

• Increases comfort

• Reduces skin irritation and rubbing

• Long-lasting results

• Promotes self-confidence and an enhanced self-image

Arm lift surgery can be performed on a large variety of patients, including normal-weight patients, who simply need a little tightening. However, the majority of patients are massive weight loss patients that have stabilized their weight loss and do not have out-of-control medical problems. They present with excess skin and fat in their upper arms. Many of these patients complain that their arms feel and look like "bat wings." Occasionally, some older women have a lot of extra skin that is bothersome and would also be reasonable candidates.

The goal of an arm lift is to result in a toned upper arm appearance. The length of the incision varies, depending on how much skin and fat are to be removed. Patients who have a fairly good skin tone may only require a minor incision. However, patients who have excessively loose, hanging skin will require an incision that may run from the armpit to the elbow. At this time, the excess skin is trimmed and the underlying muscles are tightened. In some patients, the armpit will also need to be addressed and surgically tightened.

Patients undergoing brachioplasty are put under general anesthesia. It is an outpatient procedure that takes an average of two hours to complete. If the procedure is a part of an after weight loss surgery, which usually involves more than one body part, an overnight stay may be required. After surgery, the arm is protected with a compression garment and drain tubes may be present to avoid the risk of infection. Swelling and bruising are normal. Patients should keep the arm elevated to promote blood circulation and help with swelling. With proper care, the arm will return to normal function after several weeks.

This depends on the amount of loose skin that is present. Patients who lose a significant amount of weight generally need the skin removed in order to attain a positive result. In fact, many times, arm lift patients do not even need liposuction because there’s no excess fat to be removed. On the other hand, patients who have relatively good skin elasticity may only need liposuction or minor tightening.

Any patient who undergoes an operation where skin is excised and incisions are made should understand that scarring is a part of the procedure, including brachioplasty. We make every effort to ensure that the scar will be as minimal as possible. For post-surgery care, topical ointments to assist in scar healing will be prescribed. It is also recommended that patients avoid sun exposure during the first year to protect the incisions from any additional discoloration. Most patients believe the benefits of a more toned arm outweigh the appearance of scars. 

It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes referred to as an upper body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and breast surgery (breast lift). During the consultation, each surgery will be discussed and recommendations will be made as to whether these procedures can be done at the same time. 

An arm lift is performed to remove hanging skin and fat. The only way to build actual muscle is through strength training. Following surgery, once the arms are fully healed, patients can begin weight training if they wish to do so. This is a great way to add shape to the arms by toning and strengthening them. Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise in order to avoid recurring weight gain, which could compromise the surgical results.

While there are many great noninvasive skin tightening procedures, most can only give you mild improvements. To remove moderate to severe skin laxity, arm lift surgery is your best option. Along with treating excess skin, Dr. LaGrasso can liposuction small amounts of fat and smooth the tissue and remaining skin for a better result. If you're interested in nonsurgical options, Dr. LaGrasso can explain all possible treatments during your consultation and help you choose which fits your needs and goals.

Patients are usually under general anesthesia during the procedure, so they don't feel pain. After the surgery, some discomfort and soreness are expected, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication.

Whatever you call your "bingo wings" or the droopy skin on your arms, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso considers an arm lift as a way to improve your life with plastic surgery. This advanced procedure offers physical and emotional benefits as well as more toned and youthful-looking arms. If you're at or close to a healthy, stable weight but still cannot lose the flab and skin that hang off your upper arms, please contact us to schedule a consultation at Jeffrey LaGrasso MD in Miami, FL. Look and feel fitter and younger with a personalized upper arm lift surgery.