Arm Lift

What is arm lift?
The skin between upper elbows and armpits might get baggy and loose due to weight loss and/or ageing. In such cases, the operation performed to treat the baggy skin and to remove the excessive skin is called as arm lift.

Who undergoes arm lift?
Patients who suffer from baggy and loose skin between upper elbows and armpits due to weight gain and loss, and who experience loss of skin elasticity might undergo this procedure.

What should be done prior to surgery?
As in all plastic surgeries, the patient should quit smoking minimum two weeks prior to the operation and should also avoid smoking for two weeks after the operation. Anticoagulant drugs, such as Aspirin etc. should be quitted minimum 10 days before the operation. The patient should discontinue any other medication or dietary supplement (medication that include Ginseng, CoQ, Gingko Bloba etc.) 1 week before the surgery. The patient should also disclose any other significant condition to their surgeon.

What is the surgery technique? 
The surgery might be carried out under general or local anaesthesia. It takes 1 to 2 hours. An incision is made in the shape of a T or L starting from the armpit down to the elbow in order to remove the excessive skin or fat. The cuts are concealed in the inner side of the arms. In some cases, liposuction might be performed prior to operation.

What to expect after surgery:
Patients are usually released from the hospital on the operation day. They can have a bath on the second day. Patients are advised to wear corsets-like socks with suitable tightness for the first three weeks. Sports activities should be limited for the first six weeks. Patients should know that, at the end of this operation they will have permanent marks inside their arms which will become less visible in time. So prior to operation, the physician and the patient should decide whether the marks or the bagginess would cause more discomfort for the patient.