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Arm Lift

Dr. John LeRoy Answers Your Questions About Arm Lift Surgery

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woman-checks-under-armWhen considering how to enhance the appearance with cosmetic surgery, the arms are an area that should not be taken for granted. Specifically, the upper arm area that can often be susceptible to deposits of unwanted fat and loose skin as we age and our bodies change. This is actually very common, and some people refer to this as the development of “bat wings” in their upper arms. Arm lift surgery can help, by removing unwanted skin, fat, and tissue from the upper arms to provide a more lean and trim arm contour. Today, I wanted to answer a few common questions about arm lift surgery to inform my readers on this cosmetic procedure.

Question #1: How Painful Is Arm Lift Surgery?

Worry about potential pain from the procedure should not be a determining factor for anyone considering arm lift surgery in my opinion. My staff and I do everything we can to make each arm lift procedure I perform as comfortable as possible for our patients. Whether the patient has chosen to undergo traditional arm lift surgery or my minimally invasive Band Aid Arm Lift (performed in my office using gentle numbing techniques), pain from the procedure is typically minimal and the recovery period is less daunting than many people realize.

Question #2: How Can I Tell If I Need an Arm Lift or Arm Liposuction?

This is simple. Making this determination depends on your specific aesthetic goals and the cause of your issue. If loose, stretched skin in the upper arms is your issue, an arm lift is the way to go. If you’re more concerned about fat that has accumulated in the area, and either don’t have loose skin or are not bothered by it, then liposuction may be preferable. These procedures can be combined together to provide the extensive body contouring results that some patients desire.

Question #3: If I’m Unsatisfied With The Results of a Previous Arm Lift, Is There Anything I Can Do?

Yes, there is such a thing as revision arm lift surgery. This is done to alter or correct the results of a previous arm lift procedure and make sure the patient has the chance to receive the results that they wanted in the first place. As long as enough time has past since the initial procedure for the body to fully heal and the final results to set in, you may be a good candidate for a revision arm lift procedure.

As with any cosmetic surgery, deciding whether or not to undergo an arm lift depends on many factors. The first step towards an answer is consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about the procedure and whether it’s the right fit for your needs. For more information on arm lift surgery or any other cosmetic surgery procedure that I perform, contact me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. You can follow along with me on Facebook for additional tips, practice news, and much more.

What To Know Before Band Aid Arm Lift Surgery

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female-shows-under-armToday, it’s imperative for plastic surgeons like myself to be able to provide our patients with as many procedure options as possible. Doing so allows my patients to more precisely determine the best procedure option for their needs and ultimately achieve the best, long-lasting results from their surgery. And often these procedure alternatives include less invasive plastic surgery options like my signature line of Band Aid cosmetic surgery procedures. Today, I wanted to focus on my Band Aid Arm Lift and the fantastic benefits that it can provide patients.

I perform the Band Aid Arm Lift to help patients who wish to rejuvenate the appearance of their upper arm(s). Primarily the area between the elbow and shoulder which can begin to droop or sag as a result of weight fluctuation or natural aging. This procedure is intended to provide the following benefits for patients:

  • Removal of loose, excess skin and tissue that has lost elasticity and become stretched
  • Tightening and toning of the underlying muscles that are in need of repair
  • Removal of excess fat that as accumulated in the area (if applicable)

The Band Aid Arm Lift differs from a traditional arm lift in some subtle, but very important ways. Because patients who choose to undergo the Band Aid version of this procedure are typically seeking more modest aesthetic results, this surgery will require a smaller incision being made. This also means that there will be less post-surgical scarring after the procedure than a traditional arm lift. In many cases, I will make an incision that extends from from the elbow to the underarm area (or axilla). I always do what I can to hide incisions in difficult to see places or in the natural creases of the skin. Additionally, because this is a less invasive procedure (performed using gentle numbing in my office), the post-surgery recovery period will be shorter when compared to a traditional arm lift. Patients are typically able to return to work and other normal activities about a week after their surgery or possibly longer based on the type of work they do.

In order to be a good candidate for a Band Aid Arm Lift, the patient must be in good physical and mental health at the time of their surgery. This is essential for safely undergoing and recovering from the procedure. Candidates must experience some degree of skin laxity and/or muscle separation in the upper arm area. Good candidates should not be smokers, as nicotine can negatively affect the surgery and post-surgery recovery.

Understanding if an arm lift (and what type of arm lift) is right for you begins with defining your specific aesthetic goals, and consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon like myself to determine the best possible procedure to help achieve them. To learn more about the Band Aid Arm Lift or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. John LeRoy. You can also follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more plastic surgery tips, news, and updates from my practice.