Arm Lift Beverly Hills

Treatment Overview

First, you will meet with Dr. Anita Patel to share your concerns and discuss the results that you hope to achieve. This will be followed by a review of your medical history and a focused physical exam. Dr. Patel will then go over the risks and activity restrictions, and give you time to ask questions. Prior to the surgery, you will fill out consent forms.

The Beverly Hills arm lift itself consists of the surgical reduction of loose skin and subcutaneous fat along the upper arms, and may include liposuction of fat, as well as the excision of excess skin. This surgery will involve general anesthesia and we recommend that you arrange to have someone drive you to and from the appointment.

• Length of Surgery: 2.5 hours
• Anesthesia: General
• Post-Op Activity: Avoid activity that places pressure or stretch on the incision areas. Keep arms elevated when laying down (hand above elbow, elbow above heart). A compression garment that goes from shoulder to wrists is recommended after surgery to minimize swelling.
• Return to Work: Approximately 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brachioplasty Surgery?

Brachioplasty surgery, also known as arm lift, removes excess skin and volume from the upper arms. The incision typically runs from the underarm to the elbow.

What is a Mini Arm Lift?

Sometimes only a small amount of skin needs to be removed, and the incision length can be shortened accordingly.

How Long Does Arm Surgery Take?

Typically arm lift surgery takes 2 1/2 hours total.

How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?

The cost for arm lift surgery will depend on a number of factors, including whether or not liposuction will be performed, the anticipated length of surgery, and more. To provide you with accurate pricing information, we invite you to book a complimentary Pre-Consult Phone Call with our Patient Care Coordinator by calling 310.205.0212. During that phone call, important information will be discussed and ballpark pricing will be provided.

Does Insurance Cover Brachioplasty?

Insurance does not cover brachioplasty, as it does not consider it medically necessary. On rare occasion, if the excess skin is severe and interfering with activities of daily living, then insurance may cover part of the surgery.

How Long Does a Brachioplasty Take to Heal?

While you can resume work in about 10 days, and resume exercise in 6 weeks, it takes the scar a full year to mature and fade. During the first 8 weeks, we highly recommend a scar therapy protocol to minimize the visibility of the scar.

How Long After Brachioplasty Can I Exercise?

You may resume exercise 6 weeks after brachioplasty.

Do Brachioplasty Scars Fade?

Brachioplasty scars do fade with time. Early on, they are skin color or slightly pink. As the wound healing progresses, It is normal for the scar to be more intensely pink. During this time, I recommend a scar therapy protocol to prevent hypertrophic scarring and to reduce visibility of the scar. It can take a full year for the pigment to fade, and if the scar is more visible than desired, laser treatments or radiofrequency resurfacing treatments are available to “erase” the scar further.

Who is a Candidate for an Arm Lift?

The arms are a focal point of fitness for both women and men. The best-looking arms are ones that have toned muscles and taut skin. While the muscles are dependent on how much they are exercised, the arm skin and fat can be more problematic.

Some people in Beverly Hills are genetically predisposed to carry more fat in their arms than others, so even when in shape, the fullness of the arms or laxity of skin leaves a bit to be desired. Others have excess skin and/or volume that resulted from weight changed or aging.

What is Recovery Like?

After brachioplasty surgery in Beverly Hills you will have one temporary drain in each arm, exiting the skin near the elbow. The arms are typically wrapped with gentle compression immediately after surgery, and changed to an arm garment sometime between the following day or the following week, depending on swelling.

Exposure to Water

Intermittently elevating the arms and walking the day of surgery is recommended. You may shower 24 hours after the drains have been removed. No baths, soaking in tubs, hot tubs, or swimming pools until incisions are fully healed.

Gentle, non-perfumed soap and water over the incision is okay. Scar gel may be used starting two weeks after surgery or once incisions have no open areas, crusting, or scabs.

Heavy Lifting

In general, Dr. Patel recommends avoiding exercise and heavy lifting (more than 15 pounds) for six weeks following surgery, at which time you can ease back into your workouts. Light activity that does not involve working your arms is okay. Activity should be limited to small periods with adequate rest in between.

You may return to work one to two weeks after surgery, depending on your pain level, stamina, and activities required in your occupation. You may drive once you are no longer taking pain medication. If you notice any numbness or tingling in the fingers or hands, you should notify Dr. Patel. All recovery processes and recommendations vary patient to patient, so these general guidelines may not apply to every patient.

What Are the Risks Associated With Brachioplasty Surgery?

The standard surgical risks include pain, bleeding, infection, scarring, and more. Although many of these risks are not likely, it is important to fully understand them before going through a procedure.

Scars

Scars are one of the most important things to consider when deciding on whether or not you want to have this surgery. The incisions typically extend from the sides of the chest or underarms, all the way to the elbow.

Attempts are made to place the incision along the inner arm in a way that makes it difficult to see the scar from the front or back when the arms are down, but this is not possible in every case.

Close follow-up in Beverly Hills after an arm lift is recommended to treat any issues that may arise, including scar therapy to optimize healing and scars, or treating the incisions with steroid injections if needed. Common scar therapy options include Embrace scar therapy, silicone gel, compression, steroid tape, or some combination of the above to optimize their appearance. In some cases, scar revision or resurfacing treatments may be necessary at a later date. In general, the arm scars take a year to really fade and mature.

If you are ready to learn more about an arm lift, book an appointment with Dr. Anita Patel today.