What to do before your procedure?

At your initial consultation with Dr. Marciales, you will discuss your medical history and receive a physical exam. He must be healthy and have realistic goals for his procedure. Dr. Marciales will make recommendations based on his expectations and general health. In some cases, a smaller procedure may be enough to satisfy the goals of it.

Explanation of the procedure:

An arm lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the appearance of the lower arms.

During an arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, excess skin and fat between the armpit and the elbow are removed. The remaining skin is repositioned to create a more toned appearance.

What can I expect from a brachioplasty procedure?

The arm lift can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.

Sometimes the procedure is done under sedation and local anesthesia to numb only part of the body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended, which makes you unconscious.

Before the procedure

• Avoid certain medications.  You’ll probably need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
• Get help for the recovery period.  Have someone drive you home after surgery and stay with you while you recover.

during the procedure

The plastic surgeon will make incisions in the lower part of the arm. The size and shape of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.

After making the incisions, the plastic surgeon will adjust the underlying tissues and secure them with stitches. You may also use a suction technique to remove fat (liposuction).

The skin will be accommodated over the new contours and excess skin will be removed. Stitches or surgical tape will be used to close the incisions.

Post operation:

• After a brachioplasty, the incisions will be covered with bandages. The arms will be loosely wrapped with elastic bandages to minimize swelling. Small tubes may be placed in your arms to drain any excess blood or fluid. You’ll likely see someone from the plastic surgery team a day or two after your brachioplasty procedure. This person may remove your bandages and the drainage tube, if one is in place. Some plastic surgeons may have you wear a compression sleeve for a few weeks so that swelling doesn’t increase. During the first few days after a brachioplasty:
  • Avoid raising your arms above shoulder level for three to four weeks.
  • Avoid using your arms for physical activities and sports that could stretch your incisions four to eight weeks after surgery.
  • Take necessary pain relievers and use topical or oral antibiotics as directed to prevent wound infection.
  Talk to your doctor about when, or if, the stitches will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others must be removed in the doctor’s office for weeks after the procedure.After undergoing a brachioplasty, call your doctor immediately if:
  • You lack the air.
  • You feel pain in your chest.
  • You have an irregular heartbeat.
  • You have reddened skin and a fever.

What are the risks?

An arm lift poses different risks, such as the following:

• Formation of fibrous tissue.  Arm lift incision scars are permanent, but are usually placed in areas that are not easily seen. Rarely, the incisions can cause red, raised scars. Injections of a corticosteroid or other treatments may be used to improve the appearance of scars.
• Asymmetry in the shape of the arms.  This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, while the surgeon will try to make the arms look as symmetrical as possible, there is no such thing as perfect symmetry.
• Changes in the sensation of the skin.  During an arm lift, the repositioning of the tissues of the arms can affect the superficial sensory nerves. You may feel temporary numbness.
• Suture problems.  The sutures used to secure the new shape of the arm may work their way to the surface of the skin and must be removed. This can cause inflammation of the affected skin. As a consequence, you may need additional surgery.

As with any other type of major surgery, an arm lift carries a risk of bleeding, infection, and side effects from anesthesia.

An arm lift is not for everyone. Your doctor might advise you against arm lifts if you experience any of the following:

• Significantly overweight
• Frequent changes in weight
• Medical condition that interferes with wound healing
• Do you smoke

Call +66 43 880 147 for more information or to make an appointment