Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

If you’re tired of seeing flabby “wings” when you stretch out your arms, it may be time for an arm lift or brachioplasty to tone and tighten those upper arms. Led by Dr. John Menard, Menard Plastic Surgery provides brachioplasty procedures to help tone and firm the arms of patients in the Tuscaloosa area.

What is Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that tones the muscles of the upper arm and removes flaccid skin or “wings” by trimming away excess skin, giving you a toned, lean contour with more definition.

Why Should I Consider Brachioplasty?

If you have “wings,” or flabby skin and fat that hangs from the upper arms as a consequence of aging or dramatic weight loss, brachioplasty can restore tone and definition to the upper arms, rejuvenating your appearance and producing a more flattering fit under sleeveless or short-sleeved clothing.

Who Can Most Benefit from Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty is safe and suitable for most healthy men and women wishing to tighten their upper arms, but brachioplasty is not a weight loss treatment and is not ideal for those who still have weight to lose, as future weight loss may affect the outcome of the procedure. Brachioplasty is recommended for those who maintain a stable weight.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Brachioplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia for maximum comfort. The procedure requires an incision down the inside of the upper arm, usually from the elbow to the underarm, allowing the surgeon to extract fat, and trim off excess skin. Surgery can take one to two hours to complete, depending on your condition. You may also choose to combine liposuction with your arm lift to further sculpt and define the upper arm area.

What Can I Expect After Brachioplasty?

Plan ahead and enlist someone to drive you home after the procedure, as well as provide assistance around the house for a few days so you can rest properly. You may experience some swelling, soreness, and bruising that may be alleviated with medication. During recovery, you must wear a compressive support garment for a period of about four weeks. Depending on your overall condition, you may expect to resume light activity after a day or two, but we recommend you slowly resume non-strenuous work activities over a period of four or five days. It may take about four weeks to fully resume more vigorous activity. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is available to answer any of your questions during the pre-operative and post-operative period.

One of the most unflattering features of aging is the development of flabby upper arms with “wings.” If you’re ready to schedule an appointment to correct this nagging problem by having a brachioplasty procedure with a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon, contact  Dr. John Menard at Menard Plastic Surgery, serving residents in the Tuscaloosa area.