Arm surgery is a term generally used to describe procedures used to remove or reduce excess skin or fat on the upper arm, as opposed to surgeries involving the wrist or elbow. If you are contemplating brachioplasty (arm surgery), you may be concerned about what to expect during the procedure.
Brachioplasty is performed differently, depending upon the condition of the individual. Some individuals with good skin tone may only need a fat removal (liposuction) procedure. In some cases, a minimally invasive brachioplasty is used to remove fat and some skin. Others will need a complete brachioplasty to remove excess skin that has lost its tone and elasticity.
Brachioplasty Liposuction
This procedure is usually performed in the clinic or facility on an outpatient basis. A trained anesthesiologist or nurse anesthesiologist will administer a local anesthetic. Health care professionals will take and record your vitals (blood pressure, pulse, temperature) prior to liposuction.
Your surgeon will make small incisions on your upper arms and insert a small liposuction tube (cannula). After a determined amount of fat is removed, your doctor may bandage your arms. You will be able to go home after a short recovery period. Generally, you will be able to return to work within a day or two after the procedure.
Minimally Invasive Brachioplasty
This procedure combines liposuction with the removal of a small amount of excess skin. Your practitioner will determine if the procedure should be performed under local or general anesthesia. After admittance to the facility, staff members will record your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and monitor you during the procedure. If you are using general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will administer and monitor the amount of anesthetic you receive.
Your surgeon will perform liposuction to remove the excess fat. Next, your doctor will remove any excess skin. Temporary drainage tubes may be placed in your arms to ensure that excess fluids do not build up. After a short recovery period, you will be allowed to go home. Generally, you will be released to go back to work within 1 week.
Brachioplasty Complete
A complete brachioplasty may be needed if you have a large amount of excess skin. People who have lost a great deal of weight lack elasticity. The skin has stretched to accommodate the accumulated fat. After weight loss, the skin sags. Skin sagging can also occur because of the aging process and genetics.
In most cases, this procedure is performed under general anesthetic. After you are admitted to the facility, the staff will take your vitals. Additional blood and urine tests may be required and staff may take preoperative photos. Shortly before the procedure, your surgeon will draw the pre-operative lines on the inner sides of your arms. These lines generally extend from the elbow region toward the armpit. Next, your anesthesiologist will administer and monitor the anesthesia.
The staff will connect you to a blood pressure and heart monitor. You may also receive intravenous fluids. After the skin is removed, your surgeon may insert small drainage tubes into the sutured incision area. You may have compression bandages placed around your arms.
Depending upon your surgeon, you may remain in the facility for 1 to 2 days to monitor your progress.
