Arm Lift in Sarasota, FL
The “batwing” effect often occurs when people lose a great deal of weight, leaving them with excess skin in their upper arms. The good news is that a Brachioplasty, or arm lift, can resolve this issue and re-contour the upper arms. This surgical procedure is perfect for men and women who would like to remove excess skin and stubborn fat from their arms. Here at Sarasota Surgical Arts, expert cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alberico Sessa offers arm lifts to patients who would like to improve the appearance of their arms and restore their confidence.
Benefits of an Arm Lift
The main goal of an arm lift is to remove excess fat and skin along the upper part of the arms to create a younger, slimmer appearance. An arm lift can help patients get rid of stubborn excess fat from their upper arms and eliminate sagging skin. It can create firmer, slimmer arms that increase clothing options and confidence. With the procedure, patients can tone and shape their arms more effectively than with diet and exercise alone.
Good Candidates for an Arm Lift
An arm lift is a great option for anyone who has lost a lot of weight and has excess hanging skin on their arms that is resistant to diet and exercise. It can also be a good choice for patients struggling with flabby arms caused by genetics or aging.
The ideal candidates for an arm lift should be in good health, have adequate skin elasticity, and should not smoke. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not good candidates for this procedure. A private consultation with Dr. Sessa can help patients determine whether they could benefit.
What to Expect During a Consultation
An arm lift consultation involves a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Sessa at our cosmetic surgery center. Dr. Sessa uses this meeting to evaluate the patient’s medical history and learn more about their aesthetic goals. If Dr. Sessa believes that a patient is a good candidate, he will thoroughly explain the entire procedure and recovery process. Additionally, he’ll share before and after photos of his past arm lift patients so that the patient can get an idea of the type of results they can expect.
Preparing for an Arm Lift
To prepare for surgery, patients may need to undergo lab testing or a medical evaluation. If they smoke, they’ll need to stop well in advance of the surgery and commit to a smoke-free lifestyle afterward to promote good healing.
Dr. Sessa also asks patients to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that may increase bleeding and interfere with the healing process about 2 weeks before surgery. In addition, he’ll provide the patient with instructions on what to do on the day of the surgery and during recovery.
The Procedure
During an arm lift at our surgery center, Dr. Sessa places incisions on the inside of the patient’s arm. These incisions extend from their underarm area to just above the elbow. He may then use liposuction to reduce any excess fat. Then, Dr. Sessa will tighten and reshape the tissues and smooth the arm skin over the new contours.
At the end of the procedure, Dr. Sessa’s incisions are placed in a well hidden area under the arms so as not be seen when raising your arms. The surgery takes 1-2 hours. An arm lift is an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes anywhere from two to five hours to complete.
Recovering from an Arm Lift
After surgery, most patients face swelling and bruising with some discomfort for a few days. Dr. Sessa will prescribe medication and encourage patients to keep their arms elevated to mitigate these symptoms. Patients will be required to wear a compression garment for several days after the procedure to promote healing and optimal results.
While most patients can resume work and other daily responsibilities within two weeks of the surgery, they’ll need to refrain from strenuous activity for at least six weeks. The arm lift recovery process will include several follow-up appointments so Dr. Sessa can monitor the healing of the arms.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgery, an arm lift does involve some potential risks and complications. Some of these include bleeding, infection, hematoma, and poor reactions to anesthesia. Also, patients may experience changes in sensation for the first few months after the procedure.
While these changes usually subside fairly quickly, numbness may remain for a year or longer. When an arm lift is performed by a highly skilled and experienced board-certified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Sessa, risk and complications are significantly reduced.
Why Choose Dr. Sessa
Dr. Sessa of Sarasota Surgical Arts understands just how frustrating it can be to achieve significant weight loss and yet still be left with flabby arms. Therefore, he is dedicated to performing arm lift procedures that leave patients with beautiful results. After an arm lift by Dr. Sessa in our state-of-the-art cosmetic surgery center, you can feel confident in short sleeves or sleeveless shirts once again. You’ll look younger and love your newly sculpted arms after your cosmetic surgery.
The doctor and his staff will take the time to get to know your unique goals and design a customized arm lift procedure that can help you achieve them. At Sarasota Surgical Arts, you can expect the high-quality service and personalized attention you deserve.