The upper arms are a common area of cosmetic concern, typically following significant weight loss or due to skin sagging with age. The area around the biceps includes cushioning fat and skin that are prone to stretching or drooping. When these concerns occur, they can create an unwanted baggy or “flabby” look.

If your upper arms have excess loose skin and fat, you may find that it is significantly changing your self-confidence and your lifestyle. You may have stopped wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops, affecting your ability to enjoy the sunshine of our beautiful Florida community. The loose skin can make exercising uncomfortable and cause you to avoid activities you once loved. But you do not need to live with these limitations — an arm lift surgery or arm rejuvenation procedure with Daniel Man, M.D., in Boca Raton, FL, can help you feel great about your appearance again.

 

What is an Arm Lift and Arm Rejuvenation?

An arm lift procedure — whether it involves an arm surgery like brachioplasty or uses less invasive liposuction — is designed to improve the appearance of excess skin and fat on the upper arms. It is intended to address fat that has not responded to diet and exercise efforts as well as skin and tissues that have become loose or stretched due to aging or weight loss.

Traditionally, an arm lift is a purely surgical procedure called a brachioplasty. This procedure trims away unwanted skin, resulting in a tighter upper arm area. Over the past 20 years, the approach to arm rejuvenation has been improved with new techniques and technology like liposuction, laser treatments and radio frequency treatments. These options allow for improved sculpting of the underlying tissues as well as non-surgical skin tightening for best results. Additionally, Dr. Man has pioneered a highly effective, combination approach that uses new techniques and a traditional surgical arm lift together. With this approach and his signature artistic eye, Dr. Man sculpts well-rounded, defined and rejuvenated upper arms for all of his arm lift patients.

Benefits of Arm Lift

Sagging upper arms are a fact of life for the majority of men and women. Aging causes the supportive structures in our skin and tissues to break down, which leads to loose skin and drooping fat that can cause upper arms to look heavy — even if an individual is in otherwise excellent physical shape. Losing a significant amount of weight can also leave behind stretched skin that will not tighten over the upper arm. Since these concerns are not related to an individual’s fitness levels, diet and exercise are unable to solve the problem. An arm lift provides a solution by permanently removing the excess tissues and tightening the upper arm area. It offers patients numerous benefits, including:

  • Thinner, more defined upper arms
  • Upper arms that appear proportional to the rest of the body
  • Lighter feeling arms
  • Improved arm mobility
  • Improved self-confidence
  • Increased clothing options in terms of short sleeves or sleeveless tops

Is an Arm Lift and Arm Rejuvenation Right for Me?

If you have excess skin that hangs from your upper arms due to aging or significant weight loss, arm rejuvenation with Dr. Man may be right for you. You may be a good candidate for Dr. Man’s arm rejuvenation treatment if you:

  • Have noticed the skin on your upper arms sagging and stretching with age
  • Have lost weight in your arms leading to sagging
  • Have fat deposits and stretched skin on your upper arms
  • Feel self-conscious wearing short sleeves or sleeveless garments

Arm rejuvenation with Dr. Man is a highly customizable procedure that can include several different and combined techniques, making it appropriate for both men and women of many different ages and skin types. Patients should be in overall good health and should be non-smokers. If you are in the midst of weight loss, Dr. Man may require that you are within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight to ensure that your results will be long-lasting and proportional to your body. Dr. Man will discuss your medical history and other lifestyle factors during your consultation to ensure that you are eligible for this procedure at this time. He will work with you one-on-one to discuss your particular concerns and create a personalized surgical plan that will best achieve your goals.

How Involved is an Arm Lift and Arm Rejuvenation Procedure?

Arm rejuvenation with Dr. Man is a fully customized procedure; the level of involvement of the surgery or treatments will depend on each patient and their particular treatment plan. Dr. Man works closely with each patient to evaluate their concerns and offer his expert opinion on whether a brachioplasty is needed for optimal rejuvenation.

The introduction of new technology has made arm rejuvenation and arm lift surgery safer and more effective than ever. Advanced, non-invasive therapies that Dr. Man employs include:

The ART Bed

The ART Bed (articulating, reclining, tilting bed) is a comfortable and highly movable surgical bed that allows Dr. Man to judge the degree of progress and improvements during the procedure. Conventional operating room tables cannot supply the surgeon with this unique information, and in detail-oriented procedures that require symmetry and balance like an arm lift, the ART Bed offers notably improved outcomes.

Laser Therapies & Radio Frequency (RF) Skin Tightening

Non-invasive laser and radio frequency devices have grown in leaps and bounds, and modern technology allows surgeons to gently tighten and tone the skin in conjunction with or instead of surgery. Dr. Man most often employs these techniques in combination with brachioplasty to help clients achieve thinner arms with beautifully smooth skin.

Dr. Man’s combination arm rejuvenation procedure includes a custom blend of liposuction, brachioplasty and non-invasive skin tightening. Fat removal via liposuction allows Dr. Man to sculpt the arm into a thinner contour. Brachioplasty removes excess tissues to tighten the skin over the contoured upper arm. Finally, laser therapy or radio frequency treatments improve outcomes with skin resurfacing and naturally stimulated skin tightening.

Patients with good skin elasticity typically respond well to a less invasive combination of liposuction and non-invasive skin tightening. If the skin is too loose and extensive for laser or RF interventions, brachioplasty can be employed to remove redundant skin and excess underlying fat from the bottom of the upper arm. Dr. Man’s technique allows for a small, well-hidden incision so your results will look as natural as possible.

The combination procedure is done under IV sedation and takes about two hours to complete. If excision of excess fat and skin via brachioplasty is required, the procedure may take slightly longer.

Preparing for an Arm Lift

In preparation for an arm lift, you will first meet with Dr. Man at our offices in Boca Raton, FL, for a consultation. Dr. Man will evaluate your arms and create a customized surgical plan based on your concerns. If you are a good candidate for an arm lift at this time, you will be able to schedule your procedure and take the interim time to prepare as needed. Dr. Man will provide thorough, personalized preoperative instructions, which may include:

  • Provide contact information for your primary care physician
  • Stop smoking six weeks before your surgery
  • Stop taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve) and vitamins/homeopathic regimens
  • Start hydrating several days before the surgery
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first 24-48 hours

After an Arm Lift

Immediately following your surgery, you will spend a few hours in a monitored recovery room to rest while your anesthesia wears off. Your arms will be covered with special foam dressings and compression garments if necessary. Small drains are placed in the incisions to collect fluid to prevent an infection.

Patients may leave the same day in the care of a trusted family member or friend who plans to stay with them for at least 24 hours. If there are small children at home, caregivers are asked to help as much as possible to prevent the patients from heavy lifting or ripping stitches.

Patients may also choose to spend the night at our surgical center. Our nurses are all ACLS certified, and our state-of-the-art facility has specialized recovery options such as chest wall cooling methods to reduce pain and swelling, a hyperbaric chamber and oxygen treatments to speed healing.

How is Recovery from an Arm Lift and Arm Rejuvenation

Most patients may return to light activities around the house within a few days. Dr. Man usually recommends taking 7 to 10 days away from work, especially if surgical options were employed. Patients will continue to wear arm dressings for several weeks under their clothes as additional skin tightening takes place beneath these special bandages.

The stitches, if any, may be absorbable or may require removal in less than two weeks after undergoing the procedure. Although full results may not be visible for a few months, many positive changes are noticeable as soon as the dressings are removed and swelling has diminished.

Full recovery from arm lift takes several weeks for most patients, though it will vary depending on each patient’s surgery plan. We recommend having someone available to help around the house as much as possible, as the arms should be rested and may be uncomfortable. Physical exercise is restricted in the upper body for a similar period.

How Much Does Arm Rejuvenation Cost?

Since these procedures can include a wide variety of different services, the cost of each patient’s arm lift or arm rejuvenation will also vary widely. Arm lifts may also be performed in conjunction with other procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, body lifts or other body treatments for complete body sculpting; this will also influence the patient’s total costs. Dr. Man transparently discusses the costs of each patient’s procedure during the consultation appointment, once the surgical plan has been determined. Dr. Man or our helpful staff can also inform you about our available financing and payment options.

What Do I Do Next?

If you are considering arm rejuvenation, we recommend you schedule a consultation with Dr. Man to discuss your options. During this appointment, Dr. Man takes the opportunity to get to know you and your goals, evaluate your upper arms, and discuss possible treatment options to achieve your desired look. Once he recommends a procedure, he goes over the details of the procedure and answers any questions you may have about it or anything else.

A full medical history will be required, in addition to the following:

  • Previous surgeries
  • Any past or present medical conditions
  • Any allergies or sensitivities
  • All current medications
  • Medical treatments you have received
  • Any plans for weight loss
  • Any plans for pregnancy

Daniel Man, M.D., provides world-class cosmetic surgery and treatments for individuals in Boca Raton and the surrounding areas. An arm lift with Dr. Man can help you achieve tighter, toned upper arms that better complement your body and help you feel confident in your appearance again. Please contact us to set up your consultation today.

*The information about arm lift was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Man. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.