Arm Lift in McLean and Northern Virginia

A frustrating side effect when getting older or losing weight is the development of loose skin. At Mesbahi Plastic Surgery, we offer arm lift surgery (also known as brachioplasty) as an option for patients who cannot seem to tighten and tone the arm with exercise and diet. Loose skin from the elbow to the shoulder is very common, especially for women and men who are advancing in age or have lost a significant amount of weight. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alex Mesbahi has performed countless arm lift surgeries to help patients achieve their ideal shape. If you would like to learn more about how a brachioplasty can change the appearance of your arms, call Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., or Beverly Hills, CA today.

An arm lift at Mesbahi Plastic Surgery offers a range of benefits that can enhance both your appearance and overall quality of life. Some of these benefits include:

• Reduces loose skin and fat

• Tightens and smooths skin under the arm

• Gives your arms a younger, more toned look

• Enables more freedom of motion

• Permits you to be more active

• Allows you to wear a wider variety of clothing

• Improves comfort

• Prevents irritation and rashes from rubbing the skin

• Results are long-lasting

• Boosts self-image and confidence

An arm lift is a plastic surgery that uses innovative techniques to contour and excise excess skin. If you are tired of hiding your arms and would prefer them to appear taut and trim again, you are a good candidate for an arm lift. Ideal candidates are also in overall good health and at a stable weight. It's also important to have realistic expectations and to understand that scarring is a part of arm lift surgery. 

Typically, your upper arm lift surgery will take place in an outpatient setting, except in cases where several cosmetic surgeries are to be performed at the same time. An upper arm lift may be combined with other procedures (usually completed in an inpatient setting for monitoring), such as a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, or thigh lift — as long as Dr. Mesbahi considers it safe. An upper arm lift is usually done with the patient under general anesthesia and can take several hours to complete. The loose skin will be excised from the elbow all the way up to the armpit. The incision will be made to be as hidden as possible, but it will leave a visible scar. If liposuction is wanted to eliminate stubborn fat, this will be completed as well. Once the skin is pulled taut, it will be sutured together. You will have to care for the incisions by keeping them clean, bandaged, and supported with compression garments.

Recovery after an arm lift usually takes about two weeks. You use your arms for more than you think so patients should ease their way back to their usual routines. An appointment to remove sutures will be made around ten days following surgery. Compression garments must be kept on until you are released by Dr. Mesbahi. For at least one month, all exercise and strenuous activity must be avoided with the exception of frequent, short walks. If you notice excessive swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, fluid buildup (hematoma), signs of infection, numbness in the hands or arms, or unusual scarring, please contact Mesbahi Plastic Surgery as soon as possible. This is also why it's important to keep all follow-up appointments with Dr. Mesbahi so we can monitor your healing progress. 

Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
It's normal for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is often known as an upper body lift and may combine liposuction, a breast lift, or tummy tuck. Arm lift surgery is also commonly done in an after weight loss surgery for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and need full body contouring. During your initial consultation with Dr. Mesbahi, other surgeries can be discussed so your custom treatment plan matches all your needs and goals.

Will there be scars?
An arm lift uses incisions in order to excise loose skin, which means there will be stitches and scarring. However, Dr. Mesbahi will make every effort to ensure that your incisions are small and placed in inconspicuous areas. Following your arm lift, topical ointments that help with healing will be suggested along with other tips for minimizing scarring. Dr. Mesbahi also suggests you limit UV exposure for at least one year to protect the incisions from any additional discoloration. In general, patients believe the overall benefits of a more toned arm are worth the scars created.

What results can I expect from an arm lift?
A surgical arm lift is used to address loose skin and fat. You should follow a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise to avoid a significant change in your weight, which might undo your surgical results. Following your surgery, as soon as your arms are fully healed and Dr. Mesbahi has given permission, you should start strength training. This is a great way to improve the shape of your upper arms by strengthening the muscles.

Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
Although there are a lot of great noninvasive skin tightening treatments, most will only give you mild improvements. To correct moderate to severe skin laxity, arm lift surgery is your best option. Along with eliminating excess skin, Dr. Mesbahi also uses liposuction on small pockets of fat and smoothes the remaining skin and tissue. If you are interested in nonsurgical options, Dr. Mesbahi can tell you about these in your consultation and then help you decide which is best for your goals.

Effectively and safely eliminate sagging skin with arm lift surgery. If you're at or near a healthy weight and still cannot get rid of the flab that hangs from your upper arms, contact Mesbahi Plastic Surgery in McLean, VA, Washington, D.C., or Beverly Hills, CA to schedule a consult with Dr. Mesbahi. He will be happy to build a custom treatment plan that suits your unique needs and goals.