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Brachioplasty - Upper Arm Tuck
The number of over-weight adults has greatly increased over the past two decades. Surgeries such as gastric bypass, lap band, and others result in dramatic weight loss in obese persons. As a result, loose, redundant skin on the body has become a frequent cosmetic surgery concern. This information addresses a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the tricep area of the upper arm. Those patients who elect to have this procedure must understand that they are trading flabby upper arms for firmer upper arms and scars that may be unappealing to them. However, most patients are very happy to accept the limitations of the procedure to have smaller, firmer upper arms.
This procedure is performed in our accredited operating room under local tumescent anesthesia and IV sedation. You will be in and out of a comfortable sleep during the procedure and may remember very little.
Before the procedure, the patient’s upper arms are measured and marked for the planned skin removal. The area is infiltrated with a dilute lidocaine solution to numb it and to constrict blood vessels to minimize bleeding. Liposuction will be performed in the area of the arm where skin will be removed to debulk it. An excision is then made from the armpit to the elbow. The excess skin and fat is removed and the incision is sutured closed. A soft, gauze dressing is applied to the wound.
The risks of surgery in general including heavy or prolonged bleeding, infection, numbness about the incision, and scarring.
The risks and complications more specific to brachioplasty include:
- Pain - The pain is usually mild to moderate, but some patients have more pain than others. Pain medication may be used as needed. The soreness may last at some level for weeks.
- Bruising - Bruising is usually minimal to moderate but can be substantial. Bruising should resolve in approximately 2 weeks. Applying ice packs to the area after surgery may help minimize bruising.
- Swelling - Swelling occurs in every case will persist to a certain extent for weeks. Wearing the snug arm compression garment for 4-6 weeks helps the swelling resolve more quickly.
- Infection - Infection is always a possibility with any surgery. Any post operative infection will be treated with medication.
- Bleeding – There is some minor blood loss expected with brachioplasty. However, postoperative bleeding inside the wound is called a hematoma. Although it’s unlikely to happen, if you develop a hematoma, the wound may have to be opened to remove the blood clot and an attempt made to identify the site of bleeding to stop it.
- Phlebitis - Phlebitis (inflammation of the vein) may result from an intravenous (into the vein) or intramuscular (into the muscle) injection. Phlebitis can result in painful swelling of the hand/arm that may be prolonged. Treatment may require medication or even hospitalization. Phlebitis can occur in the leg and thigh veins. This is extremely rare.
- Allergic reaction - It is possible to have an allergic reaction to many different things, including medications, tape, solutions, or dressings used in your surgery. These will be treated as necessary.
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic result – Brachioplasty is limited in the esthetic correction of loose skin on the upper arms. While loose skin/fat can be removed, there is a limit to how much can be removed safely. No warranty or guarantee as to the percentage of correction has been made. No warranty or guarantee as to your satisfaction with the surgery result has been given. You are trading excess skin/fat for a scar that will run from your armpit to your elbow. Because everyone scars differently, it is unknown how well your body will heal and form a satisfactory scar. The scar is permanent and must be something you are willing to trade the excess skin for. You may not be able or want to go sleeveless.
- Motor and Sensory Function – The nerves that operate your arms/hands are located near armpit area. While very rare, those nerves could be damaged causing permanent disability and sensory changes to the affected arm/hand.
- Seroma Formation - While unusual, body fluid (serum) collections can accumulate beneath the operated skin and need to be removed. Wearing the compression sleeves helps to prevent a seroma.
- Skin Loss - In any surgery that involves the skin, there is always the risk of skin loss secondary to compromised blood supply. Skin loss is uncommon, but the chances of this are increased after a seroma, hematoma, or infection. While rare, significant loss of skin could require hospitalization and skin grafting.
- Garment Compression - It is imperative to wear the compression sleeves or similar compression during the recovery process. Compression helps to minimize swelling, encourage tightening of the skin, and minimize risk for bleeding and seromas.
- Skin Appearance - The healing process takes up to a year. During that time, there may be small puckers in the skin, roughness in the scar, redness in the scar, and areas of numbness in and about the scar. Most of these side effects from the surgery will improve over time but some may be permanent.
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Recovery
- Minimal to moderate pain is expected once the numbness wears off. Pain medication or a prescription for pain medication will be supplied to you. Many patients do well with Tylenol.
- You will be changed from the gauze dressing to elastic sleeves after a few days. You will be asked to wear those sleeves for 4 to 6 weeks while your arms heal.
- The stitches will be removed in approximately 10 – 12 days.
- You will be sponge bathing only until after the stitches are out.
- o Expect to take about 2 weeks off from work to undergo this procedure and longer if you do heavy lifting with your arms.
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Please call our office if you have other questions regarding and upper arm tuck or brachioplasty. (916) 564-8888 |
