Buttock Augmentation – the lowdown
Silver Surgery: The rise of cosmetic surgery in the over-50s
Upper arms can be prone to drooping or sagging thanks to a number of factors including fluctuations in weight, genetics and getting older. Exercise may help to strengthen and improve the underlying muscle tone of the upper arm, however exercise will not help any excess skin that has lost elasticity, nor help underlying weakened tissues and localized fat deposits.
This is where an arm lift (brachioplasty) can help. An arm lift can reduce the excess underarm fat and skin and help to reshape the arm, giving smoother skin and contours. Arm lifts do not usually require an overnight stay and can be done on an outpatient basis. Liposuction on the arms can be done at the same time as the arm lift to help with the contours on the arm.
The Surgery
The length of the incision and the pattern of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. Normally, the cut will be made on the inside of the arm or on the back of the arm and can extend to just above the elbow. Your surgeon should do his best to minimise the appearance of the scar by locating the incision in naturally occurring folds of skin wherever possible.
The incisions will be closed using sutures or stitches which will be removed about a fortnight after surgery. You may also be asked to wear a compression garment to help minimise swelling. A small tube may also be placed underneath the skin to drain any excess fluids.
You should be able to see a noticeable difference in your arms immediately after surgery however it may take a couple of weeks for all the bruising and swelling to go down and for the full results to be realised.
Risks & Complications
As with any form of cosmetic surgery, there are risks and complications associated with arm lifts. At your initial consultation, your surgeon should go through all the possible negatives with you. Some possible risks and complications include:
– Poor scarring
– Bleeding
– Infection
– Blood clots
– Numbness/problems with skin sensation
– Poor results which may require further surgery to correct
2 Comments
There is another possible complication and it is a heartbreaking one if it is experienced. It is lymphedema! Disruption of the lymph node system in the underarm region can cause PERMANENT SWELLING, often disfiguring and defeating of the whole purpose in having an armlift! This is a complication of this particular procedure and the inner thigh lift as well due to the location of the lymph nodes in the body and the unfamiliarity of the surgeon with how to reduce the volume of tissue, fat and skin in these areas without disrupting the lymph node system using a particular surgical technique. This technique has been mastered by many Brazilian surgeons and I have undergone the procedures (arms and thigh lifts) myself with NO such complications. The lymph nodes help to channel fluids and toxins out of the body… if they are severed or cut or disrupted in some way… they don’t regenerate and so the fluid now has nowhere to go… Please inform yourself on this procedure as well!
Blessings,
Christi
Hi I read your comments – very interesting. I wonder if you can advise me, I am looking for a surgeon who may perform a pit lift?! So i have heard it called in the usa- I have an unsightly excess of skIn there and wondered if it is possible to have it removed, any ideas or suggestions would be welcome please. –