Getting an upper arm lift can be a great boost of self-confidence for those with droopy, sagging arm skin. For anyone who’s worked hard to lose a significant amount of weight, arm lift surgery is the only effective solution for removing the remaining skin from the upper arms.
At the same time, arm surgery is a serious intervention requiring careful planning, a large financial investment, and a lengthy recovery time. So to help you on your journey, we’ve outlined our most useful arm lift before and after tips below.
Arm Lift Surgery Tips
Consult With an Experienced Surgeon
Before committing to arm lift surgery, it’s crucial to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring (including arm lift surgery).
They will assess your skin’s elasticity, overall health, and specific goals to determine if you’re a good candidate.
Prepare for Limited Arm Mobility After Surgery
Arm lift surgery significantly restricts your range of motion for several weeks. Therefore, it’s critical to arrange for help at home with everyday tasks like dressing, cooking, and bathing. Stocking up on easily accessible supplies and creating a comfortable recovery area can make your arm lift recovery time more manageable as well.
Follow Post-Operative Care Instructions Diligently
After surgery, follow your surgeon’s post-op care instructions carefully. This includes keeping your incision sites clean, applying prescribed ointments, and wearing compression garments as directed. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon as soon as possible.
Wear Your Compression Garment Consistently
A compression garment helps reduce swelling during recovery and supports your arms as they heal. Wearing it consistently, as directed by your surgeon, can also help the skin conform to its new shape and reduce scar appearance. While it may be uncomfortable at first, your compression garments play a key role in achieving optimal results.
Take It Easy and Rest
Rest is essential for healing, so be prepared to take time off from strenuous activities, especially anything that involves lifting or stretching your arms. Overexerting yourself (especially your upper body) too soon after surgery can interfere with your recovery and increase your risk for complications.
Stay Hydrated and Eat a Balanced Diet
Proper nutrition is important for a smooth recovery. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, protein, and minerals can support healing and tissue repair. It may also be helpful to prepare some of these healthy meals and snacks before surgery so that you don’t have as much food prep to do while you are laid up.
Be Patient With the Healing Process
It’s normal to experience bruising, swelling, and some discomfort in the first few weeks after an arm lift. These symptoms will gradually subside, but it’s important to be patient. Full recovery can take several months, and your final results may not be visible until the swelling completely disappears.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact your body’s ability to heal. Smoking restricts blood flow, which can delay wound healing, while alcohol can increase swelling and dehydration. It’s best to avoid both substances before and after surgery to promote optimal recovery.
Massage the Scars to Improve Appearance
Once your incisions are fully healed, your surgeon may recommend gentle massage of the scar areas. Massaging these regions carefully can help break down scar tissue and encourage smoother healing. It’s best to consult your doctor before starting this practice to ensure it’s safe for you.
Schedule and Attend All Follow-Up Appointments
Post-surgery checkups are crucial to the healing process. Your surgeon will want to monitor your healing progress and address any possible issues. Be sure to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon. Ask questions and get the answers you need for a smooth recovery.
Will I have arm lift scars?
Arm lift surgery does leave scars. In fact, arm lifts tend to leave some of the most noticeable scars of any plastic surgery because they usually require a full upper arm-length scar, from elbow to armpit. With that said, arm lift surgery is the only effective treatment for excess arm skin.
If you want to see examples of an arm lift before and after scar, go to our arm lift photo gallery.
Is there such a thing as a scarless arm lift?
Many surgeons refer to a mini arm lift — where only one small incision is made within the armpit — as a scarless arm lift because the scar is hardly noticeable after healing. You can see examples of this procedure by looking up scarless arm lift before and after photos.
What is a mini arm lift?
A mini arm lift is a surgery wherein we make a small incision, mostly located within the armpit, and reduce excess upper arm skin through this incision. See examples of this surgery by looking up mini arm lift before and after photos.
Call to Request Your Consultation Appointment
Whether you’ve recently gone through a massive weight loss or aging and genetics have simply given you excess skin on your upper arms, arm lift surgery can take care of this issue and give you slim, firm arms without uncomfortable “bat wings”. Nearly every arm lift patient says they’re glad they decided to undergo arm lift surgery when they really needed it.
To learn more about this surgical procedure to remove sagging skin from the upper arms and improve your overall appearance, give our practice a call today. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan can perform an arm lift to remove the excess skin and liposuction to remove excess fat and tighten the remaining skin and tissue. Call today to book your consultation appointment.