Our arms can undergo a lot of transformations due to ageing, sudden loss of weight, or genetic factors. For certain individuals, such changes lead to the formation of flabby arms or areas of stubborn fat that cannot be corrected through exercise and proper nutrition. In such cases, arm lift surgery, commonly referred to as brachioplasty, is recommended.
What is brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that helps you enhance the contour of your arms through:
- Reducing pockets of fat.
- Eliminating excess skin.
- Supportive tissue tightening.
- Smoothing out of remaining skin.
However, arm lift surgery is not for everybody. Understanding who qualifies for the procedure, how it works, and how it is different from other procedures like liposuction can be helpful for making a well-considered decision.
Who is this procedure for?
Drooping skin can appear in the arm region in a way such that when you lift up your arms, you have what looks like a batwing because there is some skin fold hanging there. You can immensely benefit from having arm lift brachioplasty done if your arms are sagging
This is caused by:
- Change in skin elasticity caused by aging.
- Significant loss of body weight
- Genetic predisposition that causes your skin to droop.
Could exercise be a suitable alternative to arm lift surgery?
While exercise, including weight lifting, strengthens muscles in the arms, it cannot firm up sagging skin. Although, following healthy lifestyle choices can help you maintain results from arm lift surgery
How to know if you are an ideal candidate for an arm lift?
You are a suitable candidate for the arm lift procedure if:
- You have loose or drooping skin on your arm region.
- You are prepared to deal with the appearance of an arm lift scar.
- Your body weight has been significantly stable
- You don’t have any medical conditions, such as anemia, that potentially can lead to complications during the procedure.
- You don’t smoke or consume alcohol.
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Arm Lift Vs. Liposuction
One of the most crucial factors to consider is whether the major problem lies in excess fat, loose skin, or both.
Liposuction is the most effective treatment for an individual who has localized fat deposits but has relatively elastic skin. Liposuction can enhance the contour of the arms without having to remove skin.
Brachioplasty, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with excess skin removal. In cases where there is a lot of skin laxity, liposuction will not give the desired results since it does not address the issue of hanging skin.
Certain individuals may need both brachioplasty and liposuction for a more comprehensive contouring process. It will depend on the person’s anatomy and must be decided after a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
What happens during the treatment?
Should you be a candidate for brachioplasty surgery, then expect this:
You are given either general anesthesia that sedates you while blocking your senses or local anesthetics that numb the surgical site and keep you relaxed.
The plastic surgeon makes an incision either at the inside or back part of your arm. The length of the incision is determined by how extensive the procedure is .
The plastic surgeon eliminates the excess skin and, at times, the excess fat through liposuction, if needed.
Sutures are put in place to firm up the underlying tissue.
Before finishing the surgery, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures. At last, sterile gauze is put on the arm through bandages.
What does brachioplasty recovery look like?
Once you are done with the surgery, you will have bandages wrapped around your incisions. You are supposed to put on an arm sleeve (compression garment), which will aid in the healing process. There may be small tubes placed under the skin that will collect any fluid build-up.
Important things about brachioplasty recovery involve:
- Changing of your bandages when needed and elevating your arm using pillows.
- Ensuring that you get adequate rest and have a good diet.
- Not indulging in strenuous physical activities.
- Wearing a compression garment for the time period prescribed by your plastic surgeon
- Follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon
Choosing The Right Approach
For individuals who are seeking brachioplasty surgery in Delhi, it is imperative to start by discussing what one can reasonably expect. A personal evaluation is needed to ascertain whether an arm lift procedure or a combination of procedures will work the best for you. To take an informed decision, a thorough consultation with the plastic surgeon is a must.
In essence, the objective of an arm lift procedure is not just to make the arms slimmer. Instead, the aim is to give it a proportional contour
In case the excessive arm skin impacts your confidence, consulting a qualified plastic surgeon will enable you to understand the available choices and help you make an informed decision regarding brachioplasty.
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