Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

If you have excess loose skin and fat in your under arm area (bingo wings), you might be a good candidate for this procedure. This happens as part of the natural aging process, or after significant weight loss. Brachioplasty aims to remove this excess tissue for a smoother, tighter and more youthful upper arm contour. This procedure is frequently complemented with an element of liposuction.

The results should last, but it is important that your weight is stable with no further loss planned. As part of the normal aging process, skin unfortunately loosens and collagen quality deteriorates, so invariably there is some additional laxity with time.

This surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and it takes approximately 2 – 2.5 hours.

As with any surgery, there is an element of ache and mild discomfort. On the whole, patients recover very well after this procedure. Additional local anaesthesia given during the surgery, combined with oral analgesia afterwards, should keep you very comfortable during your recovery.

Although this is not routine, a drain might be needed after a large arm reduction.

Yes, this is vital for comfort and for reducing complications. Depending on where your surgery takes place, this will either be provided for you (Spire Clare Park), or one will be recommended to you for purchase. It is recommended that this is worn day and night for six weeks following surgery.

Recovery varies between two to three weeks. Incisions are generally healed within a week to ten days. As a general rule, you should avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery. You are of course encouraged to move as normal and gently use your arms to minimize the risk of complications. The final result including scar appearance is usually evident once all the swelling has subsided and this can take up to 12 months. Using a single layer of the provided micropore tape on the scars for 6 – 12 weeks will give the best results possible. If this is not tolerated, scar surgical massage is a good alternative, starting after the first 3 weeks when all the wounds have healed. Scars should not be exposed to direct sunlight without the application of a high SPF cream for about a year and products such as Cicaplast contain both silicone and SPF block. There are however other alternatives.

Like with any other surgery, there is an element of mild discomfort and pain relief will be provided for you. There is also a small risk of infection, bleeding (haematoma), swelling, seroma, bruising, formation of a bad scar, asymmetry, over/under correction, recurrence of the old shape needing re operation. The main risk with this procedure is delayed wound healing and wound breakdown. These can be minimised with meticulous surgical technique, conservative removal of skin with comfortable closure and the use of the surgical garment. Swelling and bruising progressively reduce over the course of approximately two weeks, but the swelling might take a little longer to completely resolve and this can vary between patients. There is always the risk of stretching of the scars and development of poor-quality thick scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Lastly like in all surgery, there are no guarantees for a perfect outcome.