Arm lift or brachioplasty
The other name for the arm lift is Brachioplasty. It is an operation to tighten the skin of the arm following a sagging skin.
Principles of the arm lift
The purpose of the procedure is to remove the excess skin, reduce the underlying fatty infiltration and re-drape the whole.
Depending on the amount of skin to be resected, the scar of a brachial plasty can be :
- in the shape of a "T", with a horizontal branch, at the level of the armpit, and a vertical branch, located on the inner side of each arm, from the armpit to the elbow,
- pure horizontal,
- pure vertical.
We systematically perform liposuction prior to skin resurfacing.
Arm lift in practice
This procedure takes place in the operating room under general anaesthetic. The anesthesiologist will be consulted at least 48 hours before the procedure.
The operation can be performed on an outpatient basis, i.e., the patient is discharged the same day after a few hours of monitoring.
However, in some cases, a short overnight stay in hospital may be preferable. It is strongly recommended to stop smoking at least one month before and one month after the operation (smoking can cause a delay in healing).
No medication containing Aspirin should be taken in the 10 days preceding the operation.
Questions and Answers about Arm Lifting
What are the complications of an arm lift?
They are rare. A hematoma (blood clot) may occur in the hours following the operation and may require a return to the operating room. The occurrence of an infection is favored by the proximity of a natural fold (the armpit) and is prevented by rigorous pre- and postoperative hygiene until complete healing.
Sensory disturbances of the inner arm may be observed: normal sensitivity usually reappears 3 to 6 months after surgery.
Finally, healing may be delayed. In this case, care and dressings are prolonged, without any effect on future scarring.
Is the arm lift a painful operation?
No.
There may be some pain in the first few days as a result of liposuction.
However, the scar on the arm is not very painful and a return to normal life can be envisaged from the 7th day (to be adapted according to the type of physical and professional activity).
When can I return to sport after an arm lift?
Sport is generally permitted one to one-and-a-half months after the operation.
Can the arm lift be covered by social security?
Yes, following massive weight loss (over 20 kg), particularly after obesity surgery (gastric band, sleeve or bypass). In this case, a request for prior approval must be made to the Social Security doctor, who will examine your file.
If the sagging skin is age-related, surgery is not covered.
How much does an arm lift cost?
If the procedure is covered by social security, we charge an additional fee of €3500 to €4500, which may be covered by your complementary health insurance.
For purely aesthetic procedures, the cost is between €6500 and €7500.
Have a question? Please contact us!
Cosmetic surgery in Paris
Docteur Yaël Berdah and Docteur Marc-David Benjoar
Plastic surgeons in Paris France