Arm Lift in Dallas, TX

An unfortunate side effect of aging and/or weight loss is loose skin that doesn't seem to respond to diet or exercise. At Setty Plastics & Aesthetics, we offer upper arm lift surgery (also known as brachioplasty) as a solution for anyone who cannot manage to tone and tighten their arms with exercise and diet alone. Loose skin from the elbow to the shoulder is very common, particularly for women and men who are advancing in age or have lost weight. Arm lift surgery excises this excess, hanging skin, often called "bat wings." Dr. Naveen Setty, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is highly skilled in fat removal and skin tightening procedures. If you want to hear more information about how brachioplasty can change the appearance of your upper arms, please schedule an appointment at Setty Plastics & Aesthetics in Dallas and McKinney, TX.

An upper arm lift is an aesthetic surgery using advanced surgical methods to recontour the arms and remove extra skin. If you avoid sleeveless clothes because of your "bat wings" and would prefer they appear healthy and fit again, you are an ideal candidate for arm lift surgery. You need to be in overall good health so that your skin will recover properly. Some of the key indicators for patients who want an arm lift are loose, hanging skin on their upper arms, plus minimal tightness of the skin. It is important that you are at or near your goal weight before your procedure.

In most cases, your upper arm lift surgery will be performed in our surgical center except in cases where several cosmetic surgeries are scheduled to be performed at one time. An upper arm lift may be added to other surgeries (often completed at a facility with inpatient monitoring), like a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, or thigh lift — as long as Dr. Setty considers it appropriate. Arm lift surgery is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia and can require a few hours to finish. The excessive skin will be surgically excised starting at the elbow up to the armpit. The incision will be placed to be as concealed as possible, although it may leave a visible scar. In cases where liposuction is required to eliminate stubborn fat, this can be completed also. After the skin is pulled taut, it will be stitched in place. You will have to care for the incisions by keeping them sanitized, covered, and in compression garments.

The typical recovery from arm lift surgery lasts around two weeks with lots of rest. Permit your body time to heal. You use your arms for almost everything so most patients are encouraged to ease their way back to their usual activities. An appointment to remove sutures will be made around ten days following surgery. Compression garments must be kept on until you receive permission from Dr. Setty. For at least 4 – 5 weeks, all strenuous activity must be avoided except short walks as directed by Dr. Setty. If you experience uncontrolled bleeding, excessive swelling, fluid buildup (hematoma), signs of infection, numbness in the hands or arms, or unusual scarring, please contact Setty Plastics & Aesthetics for help.

Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
Patients who choose to undergo an arm lift often create custom treatment plans that include additional complementary procedures. This is often called an upper body lift and can combine liposuction, a breast lift, or tummy tuck. Arm lift surgery is also frequently included in an after weight loss surgery for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and could benefit from strategic contouring. During your initial consultation with Dr. Setty, we can discuss additional procedures so your custom treatment plan meets all of your goals.

Will there be scars?
An arm lift involves incisions that are used to excise loose skin, which leads to scarring from stitches. However, Dr. Setty will make every effort to use small, thin incisions created in less visible areas. Following your arm lift, creams that help with healing will be suggested along with our tips for minimizing scarring. Dr. Setty also suggests you limit UV exposure for at least one year to minimize scar discoloration. In general, patients consider the overall benefits of an arm lift are worth the minimal scars created.

What results can I expect from an arm lift?
Arm lift surgery is performed to remove loose skin and stubborn pockets of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise to avoid a significant change in your weight, which could alter your results. After you have recovered from your lift surgery and Dr. Setty has given you permission, you should start strength training. This is a good way to improve the shape of your upper arms by toning and strengthening the muscles.

Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
Although there are several noninvasive skin tightening procedures, they can only give you small improvements. To address moderate to severe skin laxity, a surgical arm lift is your best choice. In addition to eliminating loose skin, Dr. Setty also uses liposuction on small pockets of fat and smoothes the tissue and remaining skin. If you're interested in learning about nonsurgical treatments, Dr. Setty can talk about these during your consultation and then help you choose which fits your goals.

No matter what you call your droopy skin or "bat wings" under your upper arms, Dr. Setty considers it a way to improve your confidence with cosmetic surgery. This advanced surgery provides physical and emotional benefits for a better quality of life overall. If you're at or near a healthy weight but still can't eliminate the skin and flab that hang off your arms, please contact us to plan a consultation with Dr. Naveen Setty at Setty Plastics & Aesthetics.