A short scar arm lift is a specific type of brachioplasty. This technique leaves a less visible scar on the arm than a traditional arm lift. During your consultation, Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque or Dr. Patterson will explain all your options and together you will decide if this type of arm lift is right for you.
Typical Timing/Age
40-70
Problem
Moderate excess skin and fat of the arm may be treated with a short scar brachioplasty. Minimal skin excess with primarily fat excess may be effectively treated with liposuction alone. More significant skin excess is best treated with a traditional brachioplasty.
Procedure
Through an incision in the armpit, moderate excess skin and fat are removed from the arm. A brachioplasty is usually combined with arm liposuction to remove more fat and further improve the contour of the arm.
Goal
To remove moderate amounts of skin and fat from the arms to improve contour.
Facility
Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should be at a stable weight.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia or Local Anesthesia in the office.
Recovery
Hospital stay
No hospital stay is required.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. The pain medications and arm compression garments will make it difficult to care for others and unsafe to drive a car during the early recovery period.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower 48 hours after surgery.
Exercise
Light exercise is ok 2 weeks after surgery. Regular exercise after 4 weeks. Arm exercises after 6 weeks.
Sex
Wait 2 weeks because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure or stress your incisions during the early healing period.
Work
1 week or less depending on your type of work.
Swelling
Usually, it peaks around 3 days and gradually goes away.
Bruising
Should subside within 1-2 weeks.
Inherent Risks & Complications
Contour irregularities, Poor scarring, Bleeding, Seroma, Numbness, Infection, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
*Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank: Statistics 2013. (2014). Aesthetic Surgery Journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 34(1 suppl), 1S-22S.doi:10.1177/1090820X14542571
