New Patients Save 50% on their C
Your complete guide and quick links to everything you want to know about Arm Lift Surgery in Sydney !
What Is Arm Lift Surgery?
Arm Lift Surgery, known medically as ‘Brachioplasty’, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat between the armpit and elbow that has resulted from ageing or significant weight loss.
The remaining skin is then repositioned and sutured to create a tighter and ‘more toned’ upper arm appearance.
If there is also a lot of excess fat present, liposuction may need to be included to deliver an even slimmer appearance.
Arm Lift results are typically long lasting. Remember, however, that your skin will naturally lose some firmness as you age and some sagging might return. Nevertheless, maintaining a stable and healthy weight can help you keep an improved appearance.
Can The Arms Be Tightened Without Surgery?
Unfortunately, NO.
No amount of upper arm exercises can shrink the loose and saggy skin that has come about from loss of skin elasticity.
Nor can non-surgical treatments that claim to tighten skin ever replace an Arm Lift Surgery if one is truly required.
Can Liposuction On Arms Ever Fix The Problem?
If your Upper Arms are not excessively bulky and your skin elasticity is still satisfactory, Liposuction alone may be all that is required.
If, however, your Upper Arms are bulky and loose from excess fat AND excess skin, Arm Lift Surgery with Liposuction would be the better option.
Performing liposuction only on arms that also have saggy skin will reduce the bulkiness of the arms but it cannot tighten the loose skin. As a result, the bulkiness will be reduced but the skin will end up even looser!
Who Is A Good Candidate For Arm Lift Surgery?
You could be a good candidate for an Arm Lift if:
- You have a significant excess of loose skin with/without fat on the underside of your upper arms.
- You are in good general health.
- You do not smoke. Smoking impairs the healing process and increases the risk of complications during and after the surgery. If you smoke, you must quit at least six weeks before the surgery.
- You do not have diabetes.
- Your weight is stable and you are not grossly overweight.
Patients with other significant health conditions could be at a greater risk of complications during and after surgery and therefore would require a full medical assessment before being considered for Arm Lift Surgery.
How Is Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
Arm Lift Surgery is performed in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia and can take anywhere from 2½ to 4 hours depending on the extent of the surgery.
Your Surgeon will first mark the excess skin to be removed with you in a standing position. The incision will run from your armpit to the elbow on the underside of your upper arm where the final scar will be less visible. The length and pattern of the incision will depend on how much skin needs to be removed.
Surgery may commence with some liposuction if you also have a significant amount of excess fat. The excess skin is then removed. The underlying arm muscles are also tightened if required. Finally, the remaining skin is re-draped over the improved arm shape and the incisions are closed.
Although a new upper arm shape will be apparent immediately after the surgery, bear in mind that the arm tissues are still swollen and it will take 3-4 weeks for most of the swelling to subside.
After a short stay in Recovery, you can return home but you cannot go home alone. You must be accompanied by a responsible adult who can also assist you in the early post-operative period.
However, if your Arm Lift Surgery has been a more extensive procedure, you may need to stay in hospital overnight and then return home the next day after our surgeon has checked you.
Recovery After Arm Lift Surgery
- When you wake in Recovery, you will find your arms wrapped in bandages to minimise swelling and you may have a small drainage tube in each arm to drain away blood and fluids. If drainage tubes have been put in place, they are usually removed the next day.
- Once the bandages and drainage tubes are removed, you will need to start wearing your Compression Garment. This needs to be worn for the next 6 weeks to help your arms heal faster and produce a better final result. However, it can be removed for showering after the sutures have been trimmed or removed.
- After the surgery, your arms will be swollen and tender. There may be some minor bruising as well. The bruising usually disappears within 2-3 weeks. The swelling largely settles within 4 weeks but in some people total disappearance of all swelling can take several months. Do not be unduly concerned about these appearances – they are normal and temporary, NEVER permanent.
- In the first 2 weeks after surgery, wear over your Compression Garment only loose tops that open in the front and don’t require you to lift your arms above your head.
- Full recovery takes around 4 weeks so you should expect to be off work for that amount of time.
- Sutures: If dissolving sutures have been used, your surgeon will trim the knots after 7 days. However, if non-dissolving sutures have been used, these will be removed 10-14 days later.
- Walking: Short, gentle walks around your home and within your limits of comfort are recommended. You can gradually increase the amount of walking provided it does not cause you any discomfort.
- Resumption Of Gym Activities: You may resume your exercise routine after 8 weeks but start VERY GRADUALLY and always ‘listen to your body’. If whatever you do hurts you immediately or the next day, wait 2 weeks before trying it again. Eventually, you should be able to return to all your exercise routines completely without any discomfort at all.
Arm Lift Surgery Incisions & Final Scars
The typical arm lift scar extends from the armpit to the elbow along the underside of your arm where it is less visible. As the healing process varies in different people, the appearances of the final scars can never be predicted or controlled. Pigmented, wide or thickened scars (hypertrophic or keloid) could occur if you are prone to them and pigmented scars are more likely in those with brown or Asian skin.
‘Pros & Cons’ of Arm Lift Surgery
The Pros:
- The results from Arm Lift Surgery results are long lasting. However, your skin will naturally lose some firmness as you age and some sagging might occur. Nevertheless, maintaining a stable and healthy weight can help you keep an improved appearance.
- Although any form of surgery has potential risks, Arm Lift Surgery is generally not considered high risk surgery.
- You will find it easier to fit into clothing and will look better in clothes as a result of the reduced upper arm bulk.
The Cons:
- You will have a scar from armpit to elbow. Although it is situated on the underside of your upper arm and will fade over time, the scar will never completely disappear, and this could restrict your wearing of sleeveless clothes.
Potential Risks & Complications of Arm Lift Surgery
Surgery and anaesthesia nowadays are considered generally safe but both do have potential risks and complications which include:
Specific to Arm Lift Surgery:
- Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s). These are normal, expected and temporary.
- Wide or thickened scars (hypertrophic or keloid) could occur if you are prone to them and pigmented scars are more likely in those with brown or Asian skin.
- Areas of skin numbness which are usually temporary until nerves re-grow over the next 6-12 months.
- Temporary restriction of arm movements due to the tightened skin.
- Wound infection requiring topical wound care and antibiotics.
- Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) which if large, may require a return to theatre to be evacuated.
- Seroma (excess fluid accumulation under the skin) requiring one or more aspirations.
- Slow or poor healing. More likely in smokers and diabetics.
- Skin breakdown which could require skin grafting.
General Risks:
- Allergic reaction to medications, sutures, dressings, or antiseptic solutions.
- Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and its potential to cause life-threatening Pulmonary Embolism. To reduce the risk of DVT, Calf Massagers can be applied for the entire duration of your surgery to prevent the blood in your leg veins from pooling and clotting.
- Adverse Reactions to Anaesthesia or Medication: The safety of anaesthesia nowadays in Australia is well established. Nevertheless, potential risks exist with all anaesthesia and unexpected reactions can occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions ranging from minor to severe. Respiratory failure, heart failure, heart attack and stroke are rare but documented risks of any general anaesthesia.
The Cost of Arm Lift Surgery in Sydney
-
Arm Lift Surgery Sydney
The total cost of Arm Lift Surgery in Sydney is made up of the following individual costs:
- Surgical Fee: From $9,900 depending on the extent of your surgery. Our Plastic Surgeon will provide you with a detailed quotation at your Initial Consultation.
- Hospital Fee: Hospitals differ in their hourly rates for Operating Theatres and Accommodation Fees if you need to stay in hospital after your procedure. Our Plastic Surgeon will advise you of your approximate hospital costs once it has been determined how long your procedure will take and whether you will need to stay overnight in hospital.
- Anaesthetist Fee: This will basically depend on the duration of your surgery. Anaesthetic Fees are generally around $880/hour.
- Post-Operative Compression Garment
Can I Claim a Medicare or Private Health Insurance Rebate?
Unfortunately, only a minority of Arm Lift Surgery patients are eligible to claim a partial Medicare Rebate because of Medicare’s criteria of eligibility.
If Arm Lift Surgery is performed for purely cosmetic reasons, it will not be eligible for a Medicare Rebate, nor can you claim on Private Health Insurance.
FAQ
Arm Lift Surgery, known medically as a Brachioplasty’, is a procedure to reduce the bulk of the upper arms by removing excess fat and loose skin.
Arm Lift Surgery is performed in a Licensed Hospital under General Anaesthesia. The procedure can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on the extent of the surgery. If indicated, liposuction may be included for additional slimming. The incisions are closed, and dressings are applied. You may be allowed to return home the same day, but if your procedure has been a more extensive one, you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
The brachioplasty scar extends from armpit to the elbow but is located on the underside of the upper arm where it is less visible. Initially, the scars are pink but will gradually lighten and soften over time to end up as flat white scars for most patients.
However, if you have pigmented or lumpy scars from previous surgeries, you may form similar scars after Arm Lift Surgery.
If your upper arms are not excessively bulky, need only minor slimming, and you still have good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be all that is required.
When you wake from your surgery, you will find each arm wrapped in a compression bandage to prevent blood and fluid collecting under the skin These will be replaced with a lighter compression garment which needs to be worn for the next 6 weeks to help the arm tissues shrink to their new size. Full recovery takes around 4 weeks.
If you are in sedentary type work, you will be able to return to work sooner than if your work is more physically demanding. Your surgeon will tailor their advice in this regard according to the type of work you do.
Do not smoke for 6 weeks after your surgery as smoking can slow your healing. Do not drink alcohol for 4 weeks after your surgery to avoid complications. Take things easy during the first week. Gentle walking is encouraged to prevent Leg Clots but do not over-exert yourself. You should be able to gradually start returning to gentle daily activities after the 2nd week but avoid all arm activities that could stretch the scars for at least 8 weeks.
The total cost of Arm Lift Surgery will be made up of the Surgical Fee, Hospital Fee, Anaesthetic Fees, and a post-operative compression garment. Your Surgeon will provide you with a more accurate estimate once he/she has assessed you at your initial consultation.
Unfortunately, only a minority of patients qualify for a Medicare Rebate. If you do, and you also have Private Hospital Cover, you may be able to claim a portion of your Hospital costs depending on your Fund and Level of Cover. Your surgeon will determine whether you qualify for a Medicare Rebate at your initial consultation.