2. INTRODUCTION
• When a person gains a lot of weight, his or her
skin slowly stretches over time. If they lose a lot
of weight, the skin may not have enough elasticity
to spring back into place. This can lead to extra
skinfolds of tissue. These are likely to be under
the arm and chin, and on upper thighs and lower
stomach.
3. DEFINITION
• A brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, is
a surgical procedure to reshape and provide
improved contour to the upper arms and
connecting area of chest wall.
4. TECHNIQUES
♣Traditional brachioplasty
• The typical brachioplasty involves removing
excessive loose skin via surgical excision,
leaving a significant scar along the bottom of the
upper arms.
5. ♣Liposuction of the arms
• The least-invasive manner to contour the upper
arms is to simply remove extra fat via liposuction.
• However, traditional deep liposuction often leaves
sagging and wrinkled skin. An alternative to this is
Circumferential para-Axillary Superficial
Tumescent (CAST) liposuction, which maximizes
the skin retraction.
6. ♣Hidden/Minimal incision brachioplasty
• Under the right conditions such as adequate skin
elasticity and minimal excess skin, the surgical
incision for the brachioplasty can be placed under
the arm.
• This allows for easy concealment of the scar.
• Minimal incision brachioplasty includes lipoplasty of
the upper arm, wide-axillary and upper-arm skin
excision, and dermal suspension of the upper-arm
skin to the axillary fascia.
7. ♣Extended brachioplasty
• If there is also a significant amount of loose skin
that goes from the upper arms and continues
along the chest wall, an extended brachioplasty
may be called for.
• In an extended brachioplasty, the incision and
excision of skin continues along the upper arm
onto the area under the arm along the chest wall.
8. ♣Fish-incision brachioplasty
• This method is used for patients with an
enormous amount of soft tissue excess.
• Fish-incision brachioplasty uses mathematical
measurements and anatomic marking that allows
the preoperative marking of the incision in the
shape of a fish
9. PREPARATION
• NPO
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements
as they can increase bleeding
• Consent
10. PROCEDURE
• Step 1 – Anesthesia - intravenous sedation and
general anesthesia.
• Step 2 - The incision- Incision length and pattern
during arm lift surgery depend on the amount and
location of excess skin to be removed.
Excess fat may be directly excised or treated with
liposuction.
Underlying supportive tissue is tightened and
reshaped with internal sutures.
Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour
of arm.
11. • Step 3 - Closing the incisions- The incisions
will be closed either with absorbable sutures or
stitches that will be removed within one to two
weeks following the arm lift.
12. POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTION
• Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12
months.
• Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure
is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
• Keep steri-strips on.
• Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs
of infection
13. • Start walking as soon as possible, as this helps to
reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood
clots
• Social activities can be resumed 10-14 days after
surgery.
• Avoid strenuous exercise and activities such as
sports for 4 weeks.
• Sleep at 45 degree angle (2 pillows) for 1-2 weeks
• Wear compression garment
14. COMPLICATIONS
• Risks of anaesthesia, including allergic reaction
• Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
• Blood clots that may cause potentially fatal
cardiovascular complications, such as heart
attack, deep vein thrombosis or stroke
• Collapsed lung
• Fluid build-up under the wound
15. • Tissue death along the wound, or skin loss
• Sensory nerve damage, which may cause
prolonged or permanent numbness in the upper
arm or even in the forearm
• Prolonged swelling
• Damage to underlying tissues such as muscles
16. • Asymmetry (unevenness) of the skin
• Unsightly, inflamed or itchy scarring
• Further surgery to treat complications.
