Summer officially begins June 21, which means that tank-top weather is just around the corner! However, many people don’t like to bare their upper arms during this season for several reasons. These can include having extra pockets of fat due to being overweight, having excess skin or “bat wings” due to losing weight, or simply having loose skin due to a lack of muscle tone or aging. A brachioplasty, or arm lift, can help our Boston plastic surgery patients with all of these issues.
What Is a Brachioplasty?
A brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that can reduce excess skin, tighten and smooth out existing tissue, and remove those extra fat deposits. The result is a dramatically contoured and more natural-looking upper arm that you can be proud to show off in the sunshine.
The Procedure
There are different ways to perform the surgery, depending on what kind of results you want. Incisions are usually on the back or underside of the arm and can extend from the underarm to the elbow. From there, the doctor can remove excess fat directly or treat the area with liposuction. Internal sutures are then used to tighten and reshape the supportive tissues before the external skin is contoured and smoothed out. After all the tissue removal and restructuring, the incisions are closed with sutures that either dissolve or can be removed after a couple weeks. The whole procedure is conducted under sedation or general anesthesia.
The Recovery
A brachioplasty is performed as an out-patient procedure, so you’ll get to go home the same day. You’ll also be able to return to work in seven to 10 daysand normal activities in about a month. The incisions should be closed and healed externally in about two to three weeks. However, they won’t be completely healed internally until about six weeks after surgery, so you should avoid using your arm to lift heavy objects. There will be some swelling and bruising, but this can be alleviated by keeping your arm elevated while sleeping. There will likely be some minor scarring, but this will be concealed on your underarm, allowing you to wear sleeveless shirts or tank tops with confidence.
Schedule a Brachioplasty Consultation Today
The best part about this procedure is that you’ll be able to see the results of the surgery almost immediately and your dressings can be removed after only a couple days, getting you ready for the summer season in a very short amount of time!
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Davidson, call our office in Wellesley at (781) 237-7700. Dr. Davidson is a highly respected, Harvard-trained plastic surgeon who is genuinely committed to promoting self-confidence and empowerment in his patients by improving their health and appearance. Phone and email consultations can be conducted for out-of-town patients, and assistance will be provided in forming any necessary travel arrangements before and after surgery. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff members are standing by to schedule your consultation and answer any questions. Call us today!
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