If you exercise and eat right but still have loose, flabby arms that bother you, then you may want to consider an arm lift.
Flabby arms often can’t be treated with exercise. An arm lift procedure reshapes and contours the underarm area, or axilla, removing the excess skin and fat while tightening, firming, and smoothing.
So get yourself ready for summertime with an arm lift. Summer can be uncomfortable if you’re hiding your arms when the weather gets warmer.
Where Those Flabby Arms Come From
The condition that causes flabby underarms, the kind that is unaffected by exercise, can be caused many factors, or a combination of factors.
- It is often the natural result of aging.
- Hereditary genes can be passed down in families that make you more predisposed to flabby arms despite your best efforts.
- It happens when a large amount of weight gain is followed by a large amount of weight loss.
The Arm Lift Procedure
Generally, a lateral incision is made in the inner portion of your upper arm from the armpit to the elbow. But this pattern and length can vary slightly depending on the individual needs and desired results of the patient. When the arm lift is combined with liposuction, it is at this point that the cannula is inserted to remove the surrounding deposits of fat. Dr. Vitenas will then reshape the arm by removing the excess skin, repairing the muscles, and improving the laxity of the surrounding supporting tissues. At the end the skin is smoothed and sutures, that will dissolve on their own, are set in place to support healing.
At Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Vitenas performs this procedure on an outpatient basis. It is done under general anesthesia and he always uses a Board Certified anesthesiologist to perform this part. The surgery takes about one to two hours with some additional time to recover from the anesthesia.
Recovery
There may be some mild discomfort during the week following surgery, and Dr. Vitenas will prescribe any necessary pain medicine.
General activities like work can be resumed after recovering two or three days. Exercise and other strenuous activities are possible after four to six weeks. A small scar that will fade over time remains at the incision site.
Results
Though they are obscured by swelling and bruising for the first week or two, results are apparent immediately. A compression garment will be prescribed to wear initially. Bandages will be removed at your first post-surgical appointment. With proper care and a healthy lifestyle, the results should last for years.
Are You a Candidate for Brachioplasty?
If you are an adult with excess skin laxity in your upper arms, are not overweight, keep your weight at a stable level, have no medical condition that could impede healing or increase your risk during surgery, you should be a good candidate.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you quit two week prior to your scheduled surgery and not start again for at least two month after the procedure. Smoking interferes with blood circulation and this can delay healing and recovery.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your Arm Lift Options
If you are affected by flabby arms and are interested in an arm lift treatment, please contact a patient care coordinator to schedule a consultation. During the appointment Dr. Vitenas will go over your complete medical history, take the time to understand your goals, and answer all of your questions. Dr. Vitenas will discuss reasonable and expected outcomes, and explain the details of the procedure including the technique, the recovery, the risks, the costs, and financing options.
Call our office at 281-484-0088 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email us anytime, and one of our patient coordinators will get back to you. We are located conveniently in the heart of Houston. If you are not in the area, we can consult with you online and assist with travel arrangements .
Dr. Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and founder of Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery and the Fine Art of Natural Cosmetic Surgery. He has been practicing in the Houston area since 1990 and was named one of Houston’s Top Doctors. He has also been named one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, a Top Doctor for Women, and Houston’s Most Compassionate Doctor.