Arm Lift Surgery

Arm lift surgery (Brachioplasty) is an aesthetic operation that enables the arm contour to be reshaped by surgically removing excess fat tissue accumulated on the inner and posterior part of the upper arm and sagging skin that has lost its elasticity. This procedure aims for the arm to achieve a tighter, firmer, and fitter appearance from the shoulder to the elbow by correcting deformities that cannot be eliminated with diet or exercise and are popularly known as “bat wings.” Based on the principle of physically removing excess skin, brachioplasty is the most effective treatment method that permanently eliminates functional problems such as friction and irritation caused by sagging skin, in addition to addressing aesthetic concerns.

What Is Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) and What Does It Target?

Arm lift surgery is the procedure of surgically removing excess fat tissue accumulated on the inner and posterior part of the upper arm and sagging skin that has lost its elasticity. Over time, skin tissue that succumbs to gravity may sometimes not return to its former state no matter how much you exercise. The main goal of this surgery is to eliminate the loose appearance referred to as “bat wings.”

The change provided by the operation is not only visual. Sagging skin can lead to chafing under the armpit, fungal infections, or friction-related irritation. Getting rid of this excess burden allows the patient to move their arm more comfortably. In other words, this process is a health investment that directly increases the person’s quality of life and comfort beyond eliminating aesthetic concerns.

Why Does Arm Sagging Occur and Which Factors Are Effective?

There is not a single cause of deformities in the arm area. This picture usually emerges with the combination of several factors. Our skin is like a rubber band; it stretches up to a certain tension and returns. However, when this stretching capacity is exceeded or the structure of the rubber band deteriorates, the skin becomes unable to recover.

The main factors that accelerate this process are as follows:

• Advancing age
• Genetic inheritance
• Effect of gravity
• Sun damage
• Skin quality
• Dietary pattern

However, the most common scenario we encounter today is dramatic weight changes. Especially after gastric sleeve surgeries or high weight losses achieved with strict diets, the skin loses its volume. Skin that has lost its volume cannot adapt to the new size and sags downward. In some patients, even if there is no weight problem at all, the connective tissue is genetically weak and loosening may be seen at an early age.

Are Non-Surgical Methods Successful for Arm Lifting?

Our patients understandably seek simpler solutions before resorting to surgery. With the development of technology, many laser, radiofrequency, or ultrasound-based devices have been introduced to the market. At this point, managing expectations correctly is very important. If the issue in your arm is only mild fat accumulation and your skin is still tight, these devices or liposuction alone may be beneficial.

However, if there is obvious excess skin, the situation changes. Think of it this way: you cannot make fabric that is too loose on you fit perfectly by ironing or heating it; that excess fabric needs to be physically reduced. In an arm where skin quality has deteriorated, with stretch marks and sagging, no non-surgical method can provide the result that surgery delivers. At this stage, surgery is not a preference but the only realistic way to achieve the desired form.

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Arm Lift Surgery?

Not everyone may be suitable for this surgery. Patient selection must be made meticulously for a successful result and a safe process. First of all, the patient’s general health status must be suitable for receiving anesthesia.

The characteristics we look for in ideal candidates are as follows:

• Individuals whose weight has stabilized
• Non-smokers
• Those with realistic expectations
• Those in good physical health

We especially recommend that patients who are in an active weight loss process postpone surgery. Because if you continue to lose weight after surgery, the tightened skin may loosen again. The ideal approach is for your weight to remain stable for a period after you reach your target weight. In addition, smoking is our red line. Smoking disrupts blood circulation by constricting vessels, and this seriously jeopardizes wound healing.

What Is the Surgical Technique and Is Liposuction Included in the Process?

In our current approach, we frequently prefer the method we call the “Combined Technique.” In the past, only the skin was cut and removed, but now we combine technology with surgery. We usually begin the operation with liposuction. This has very important advantages. First, we thin the arm by removing excess fat from all around it. The skin from which fat has been removed becomes looser and can therefore be separated more easily from the important vascular and nerve structures underneath.

After liposuction, we remove the excess skin along the incision line we planned. Since this method preserves lymphatic vessels and nerves, it results in less postoperative swelling. While closing the skin, we also suture deep tissues together, transferring the load to the lower layers of the skin. Thus, there is no tension on the superficial suture line and scars heal thinner. This procedure, which takes an average of 2–3 hours, is performed under general anesthesia in a fully equipped hospital setting.

Are the Scars That Form After Surgery Permanent?

Honesty is essential in plastic surgery; there is a scar wherever skin is removed. However, our expertise is to make these scars “concealable.” In arm lift surgery, the scars are placed on the inner surface of the arm, on the side facing the body.

The characteristics of the scars are as follows:

• They extend from the armpit to the elbow
• Sometimes they are only in the armpit
• Their color fades over time
• They are hidden on the inner side

When the patient lets their arms hang freely or keeps them against the body, these scars are not visible from the front or back. They may only be seen if you raise your arms and wave to someone and someone looks carefully. In the first months, scars may be red and prominent; this is a natural part of healing. By the end of the first year, the scars fade and become indistinct as they blend into the skin tone. We support this process with the creams and tapes we recommend for scar care.

How Is the Preoperative Preparation Process Planned?

A successful surgery begins long before entering the operating room. At the first examination, we review the patient’s medical history in detail.

The things to pay attention to are as follows:

• Stopping blood thinners
• Discontinuing herbal supplements
• Taking a break from smoking
• Complying with the fasting period

Especially vitamins, herbal teas (such as green tea), and aspirin-derived medications can increase the tendency to bleed. Therefore, we discontinue their use under medical supervision at least 10 days before the operation. Patients entering surgery both physically and psychologically rested positively affects the speed of recovery.

Is the Recovery Period Difficult and What Does the Compression Garment Do?

One of the issues our patients worry about most is pain. However, arm lift surgery is not as painful as thought. Our patients usually describe the condition as “a soreness as if you have done intense exercise.” This process is managed very comfortably with simple painkillers.

The key points during the recovery process are as follows:

• Use of a medical compression garment
• Keeping the arms elevated
• Regular dressing changes
• Avoiding heavy lifting

The special arm garments (compression sleeves) put on you immediately after surgery will be your closest companion for about 3–4 weeks. These garments compress edema, help the skin adhere to its new place, and prevent fluid accumulation in potential spaces. Keeping your arms above heart level for the first few days helps the swelling go down quickly. Generally, our patients can return to desk jobs and social life within 1 week. Returning to sports begins gradually after the 6th week for the safety of the suture lines.

What Are the Possible Risks and Complications of the Operation?

Every surgical intervention has its own risks, and knowing them is the patient’s most natural right. General risks such as infection and bleeding are minimized with sterile hospital conditions and meticulous surgery. Specific to arm lift surgery, temporary loss of sensation or numbness may be seen on the inner side of the arm. This results from edema putting pressure on nerves and usually resolves spontaneously within months.

In addition, conditions such as fluid accumulation called “seroma” or delayed healing along suture lines may rarely occur. In all these processes, staying in communication with your doctor and not skipping follow-ups is vital for early resolution of possible problems.