Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

Brachioplasty is a customizable procedure, so your arm lift’s costs will vary depending upon your individualized procedural plan. During your consultation, Dr. Hamwi will provide an estimate for a more accurate cost of brachioplasty procedure in Sarasota.

During your Brachioplasty procedure, you will be anesthetized, and you will be prescribed pain medication to take in the following days. Patients may experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Be sure to address your pain concerns with Dr. Hamwi during your consultation.

Arm lifts permanently remove loose skin and tighten muscles in the upper arm. When combined with liposuction, it also eliminates stubborn fat. To ensure the longevity of your arm lift results, it’s important to maintain your stable weight after your surgery. By continuing your healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, your arm lift results will last for a decade or more.

With time, the skin and muscles can begin sagging again due to the aging process. As that happens, it’s important to reach out to Dr. Hamwi to explore other options to retain the contoured appearance of your arm, including another arm lift or other skin-tightening procedures.

Any surgical procedure that involves an incision will lead to scarring. However, most patients would agree that a scar is better than excess skin and fat in the upper arms. Dr. Hamwi strategically places brachioplasty incisions in inconspicuous locations underneath the arms. By following Dr. Hamwi’s incision care protocol after your procedure, you can help minimize the appearance of scars.

Some best practices to minimize scarring include:

• Ensure incisions are always clean and dry
• Protect your incisions with sunscreen or protective clothing
• Avoid stretching or lifting your arms for two to three weeks
• Use scar treatments as directed to diminish the appearance of scars

An arm lift reduces the excess skin and tightens lax tissues in the upper arm. While a brachioplasty can include liposuction to create smoother contours, it is not intended as a weight loss procedure. Arm lifts give a more toned and contoured appearance to the upper arms, but they do not result in significant weight loss.

Following an arm lift, you will experience limited mobility for at least one to two weeks. For example, you will not be able to raise your arms above your shoulders. You will need to avoid strenuous activities like exercising or heavy lifting for approximately six weeks. Most patients can resume light work, such as office work, within a week of surgery. During your follow-up appointments, Dr. Hamwi will direct you as to when you can resume other activities.

Brachioplasty typically takes one to three hours and requires patients to stay still during the procedure. As such, you must undergo general anesthesia, meaning you will not be awake for the surgery. However, being under general anesthesia ensures you will not experience pain or discomfort during the procedure and will allow Dr. Hamwi to complete the surgery without interruption.

During your consultation with Dr. Hamwi, he will take your complete medical history, including allergies and current medical conditions, to ensure you have a safe experience under general anesthesia.

Typically, an arm lift takes about six weeks for full recovery, and following that, you can resume all normal activities, including exercise. You should feel well enough to begin walking slowly in the first few days. In 10 to 14 days, you should feel more energetic and begin driving again if you feel comfortable doing so. At that time, you should be able to resume working. For at least six weeks, you should continue avoiding strenuous exercises and heavy lifting to allow the arms to heal properly.

Following your arm lift, it’s important to get plenty of rest. Resting with your head and arms propped up with multiple pillows or in a recliner in an upright position can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Wear your compression garments as directed by Dr. Hamwi. Take prescription and anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve discomfort and inflammation. Use cold compresses on your arms for 20 minutes at a time and be sure to protect your skin by wrapping the ice pack with a towel. Avoid putting strain on your shoulders by using your elbows and keep a folded towel under the armpits to provide some additional elevation.