Do you dread tank tops and sleeveless dresses because you feel self-conscious about the sagging skin on your arms? Rest assured, this is an insecurity of millions of people worldwide, especially those who have lost a significant amount of weight and are now left with loose skin on the arms, abdomen, and other areas of the body. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that focuses on removing excess skin on the upper arm to improve the contour of the overall arm and its proportion to the rest of the body. However, as with many plastic surgeries, an arm lift does result in some scarring. How do you know if the scars are worth the results? Let’s take an in-depth look at what Brachioplasty can achieve, how to manage the scars it incurs effectively, and how you can enjoy the newfound confidence it may help you discover!
What is the Goal of Arm Lift Surgery?
“An arm lift is a procedure that helps reshape the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat along the area that runs from the underarm to the elbow,” explains Dr. Christine Stewart, a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner at Edina Plastic Surgery. “Many of my patients jokingly refer to this excess skin as their ‘bat wing’ or ‘bingo arm. Brachioplasty results in an upper arm with smoother skin and contours that appear more toned and proportionate to the rest of the body. It can be a total game-changer for patients who have felt self-conscious about this area of their bodies for years and open up a whole new world of wardrobe options.”
Why Does Skin Sag Under the Arms in the First Place?
The firmness and elasticity of the skin on the upper arm are governed by multiple factors, such as age, how close we are to our ideal weight, and the muscle mass and definition in this area. As we age, the key building blocks of our skin, collagen and elastin, begin to slow their production. This can result in volume loss, which gives skin a loose, crepey appearance. A telltale sign of collagen and elastin loss is when you pinch your skin, and it doesn’t snap back like it used to.
“Fluctuations in weight play a major role in why someone may pursue arm lift surgery,” says Dr. Stewart. “Fat provides a lot of volume and support under our skin. When we lose significant weight, we can experience deflation in areas that once held larger fat deposits, like the upper arms, abdomen, and thighs. As a result, our skin loses its foundational support and sags. The more fat you lose, the more sagging you will likely have. In addition, anyone north of 35 years old will have less collagen and elastin in their skin, so the sagging in the upper arms may be even more pronounced than someone who experiences a dramatic weight loss in their twenties when the skin is more likely to bounce back.”
How is an Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
The incisions made during arm lift surgery are generally placed on the inside of the upper arm or along the back of the arm. This will be unique to each patient’s body and depend on your surgeon’s preference. It is common for an incision to run all the way from the underarm, or axilla, to just above the elbow. If your surgeon recommends removing fat with your Brachioplasty to further enhance the shape and contour of the upper arm, this will be done with liposuction before your incision is made, or fat will be excised during your procedure.
“Arm lift surgeries are customized to each patient’s specific needs at Edina Plastic Surgery,” says Dr. Stewart. “Not every patient will need an incision that runs the full length of the upper arm, conversely, some patients may need an extended brachioplasty for full correction which run along the lateral chest wall as well as the arm. Regardless, your surgeon will do everything they can to make your incision as discreet as possible, so it does not show when your arm is at rest along the length of your body.”
Why Do Scars Form After Arm Lift Surgery?
Whether you have excess skin removed with an arm lift, tummy tuck, breast lift, or thigh lift, your skin will go through a wound-healing process. During this time, scar tissue forms as the tissues repair themselves. Although some patients will heal faster and have less noticeable scars, post-surgical scarring is an inevitable part of every surgery. However, there are definitely things a patient can do to ensure that they heal as well as possible with the least noticeable scars after arm lift surgery.
What Factors Influence the Appearance of Scars After Arm Lift Surgery
“Each patient plays a vital role in how well they recover from arm lift surgery and the final appearance of any scars,” stresses Dr. Stewart. “At follow-up appointments, I can usually tell which patients have diligently followed their post-care instructions based on the appearance of their incisions. I can’t stress how important it is to follow the instructions you receive after surgery and to stay in communication with your surgical team if you have any questions. Even though each patient’s healing journey will be unique, there are other factors that may influence how their scars eventually appear after arm lift surgery. It is important to understand these so you can better prepare if you are considering Brachioplasty.”
#1 – The surgical technique utilized by your plastic surgeon
Who you choose to perform your arm lift surgery will significantly impact your final outcome. Scheduling your procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon is vital to your success and safety. However, you’ll also want a plastic surgeon specifically skilled in Brachioplasty and who has performed a high volume of this surgery. They will understand the subtle nuances of placing incisions, when possible, in the natural creases of the arm, which may impact how your scars eventually appear. During your consultation with a prospective surgeon, ask to see real patients before and after pictures of arm lifts they have performed and ask them directly about their scar management plan.”
#2 – Your body’s unique healing process
Each of our bodies is unique in how it heals after plastic surgery. This bio-individuality can impact how your scars will eventually look after arm lift surgery. Younger patients will have a more robust level of collagen and elastin production that may cause scars to be more noticeable, especially at first. Reflecting on how you healed from previous surgery may give a clue to how you will heal this time, although all anatomic areas heal differently, with the arms being one of the areas most prone to prominent scarring. This is because even if you are not lifting anything, it is hard to rest the upper arms completely. Flexing and extending your elbow, abducting or adducting your shoulder will cause muscles in this area to push against the incisions, causing tension and more prominent scarring.
#3 – Complications during recovery
“As with any surgery, complications can arise during your arm lift recovery,” says Dr. Stewart. “These will be discussed thoroughly before your procedure so that everything we can possibly do to deter these is addressed. The most common complication after a brachioplasty is wound separation, usually in the arm pit. Again, this is driven by the location of the incision in an area where it is difficult to limit your range of motion and also complete activities of daily living. Following post-care instructions, wearing your compression garments, and not pushing your limits during recovery will help mitigate these risks. Should a complication arise, it can affect the final appearance of your scars. Always communicate with your surgeon if you have any concerns during recovery, no matter how big or small.”
#4 – Strict adherence to post-care instructions
After arm lift surgery, you will be given a list of post-care instructions that must be followed to the letter. These will include instructions on proper usage and placement of your compression garments, pain management, lifting and movement limitations, and bathing. Although they may seem overwhelming initially, know that these are in place to ensure a comfortable and successful recovery so you can enjoy your arm lift surgery result as soon as possible with the least noticeable scars!
Are There Other Ways to Manage Scars After Arm Lift Surgery?
“Once you have completed your recovery from arm lift surgery, there are many things you can do to further improve the appearance of your scars,” says Dr. Stewart. “I have patients who I see a year or more after their surgery who have implemented some, or most of these methods, and am delighted to see that they are ecstatic with their results and that their scars are barely noticeable!”
#1 – Keep surgical tape on as long as possible and wear your compression garments
Your plastic surgeon will advise you on how long to keep on post-surgical tape after your arm lift surgery. This applies constant pressure over the incision, improving how flat and smooth a scar will heal. In addition, upper arm compression garments help to support newly tightened skin and control swelling, which may improve the appearance of scars by easing tension on the closure.
#2 – Massage scars once they are healed
“Massaging a scar after surgery may seem like such a small thing, but can go miles in reducing visible scar tissue in the long run,” advises Dr. Stewart. “Massage increases blood flow to tissues, helps break down scar tissue and make it more flexible, may decrease sensitivity, and improves oxygen transport to tissues. I tell my patients that once they are through recovery, they should massage their incisions in parallel and perpendicular motions to the incision a couple of times a day. Using a silicone based scar gel can make it easier to massage the incision and optimizes the moisture environment of healing.”
#3 – Apply SPF to incisions when exposed to the sun
Although arm lift incisions are relatively discreet and easy to hide from the sun, you’ll still want to apply an SPF 30 or higher to your full upper arms when exposed to UV light. That’s because the sun can darken scars, making them more pigmented and noticeable. Many patients opt to schedule their Brachioplasty procedure during the cooler months of the year when their arms will be comfortably covered with clothing and sun exposure minimal.
#4 – Explore laser skin treatments to improve scar coloration and texture
“At Edina Plastic Surgery, our patients enjoy the benefit of us having our medical spa, Skin Artisans, located right next door,” says Dr. Stewart. “Here, our Advanced Practice Estheticians offer an innovative array of laser procedures that can dramatically improve the appearance of arm lift scars. BBL®, or broadband light, can reduce red and brown pigments in a scar, allowing it to blend into the surrounding skin. Laser resurfacing treatments like ProFractional and MOXI™ smooth the appearance of scarring by resurfacing the skin’s surface and stimulating collagen and elastin production. We have special post-surgical scar revision packages in place for patients who want to take advantage of these treatments to ensure the appearance of their scars is as smooth and light as possible after arm lift surgery.”
Are the Scars From Arm Lift Surgery Worth It?
“I’ve honestly never had a patient tell me that the confidence they feel after arm lift surgery wasn’t worth the scars, but some of this is in the patient selection” says Dr. Stewart. “The best brachioplasty candidates have significant excess skin. This has to be differentiated from patients who just have poor skin quality or patients with lack of tone in their triceps. However, for someone who has been hiding their upper arms from the world for years and letting sagging skin dictate their wardrobe options, finally feeling confident in a tank top or strapless dress again is worth the scars and then some. Many of my patients use their surgery as a catalyst to make other improvements in their health and life, like lifting weights to improve the muscle definition in their upper arms after surgery. It’s always gratifying to see how improving one aspect of a person’s appearance that has been troubling them can have a domino effect and positively transform the rest of their lives. So, YES! I absolutely think arm lift surgery is worth the scars!”
Do you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your upper arms and have been considering arm lift surgery? If so, Dr. Christine Stewart would love to discuss your options with you during a complimentary arm lift consultation! Schedule with her or another board-certified plastic surgeon at Edina Plastic Surgery by calling (952) 592-6084, texting (952) 925-1765, or CLICKING HERE!
