Brachioplasty
By Gregory Alan Wiener, M.D.
Now that summer is in full swing, arm-baring fashions such as tank-tops, tee-shirts, and other sleeveless are comfortable and trendy to wear. However, for the millions of people who suffer from low self-esteem due to unsightly arm flab (otherwise known as "bat wings" or "bingo wings"), summer can mean a battle of the bulge.
Unfortunately, when it comes to excess skin and flab on the upper arms, no amount of diet and exercise can affect a real change on your body. In fact, many people actually end up with bat wings as a result of losing dramatic amounts of weight, as weight loss leads to skin laxity and flabbiness. Thus, this is a common issue with which gastric bypass patients struggle. The natural loss of skin elasticity due to the aging process and pregnancy can also lead to the dreaded upper arm jiggle.
Thankfully, there is another option (other than wearing long-sleeved garb, even in the dog days of summer!), that of brachioplasty, otherwise known as an "arm lift." This cosmetic procedure excises excess skin from the upper arm area to lead to a toned, fit upper arm appearance. Sometimes brachioplasty can be combined with liposuction in order to help remove fat, but liposuction on its own is usually not enough for patients who want to rid themselves of bat wing flab. Liposuction can only ablate fat cells, and it can not remove excess skin as brachioplasty can.
How do you if you are a good candidate for brachioplasty?
You have never had surgery on your lymph node region before. Brachioplasty involves making an incision under the armpit, and (depending on the depth of your needs) the incision can extend down to the elbow. Since this involves incisions and drains in the axilla area (otherwise known as the armpit), people who have had surgery in this area (such as a mastectomy) are not good candidates for this procedure, as their recovery might become very complicated.
You do not suffer from Axillary Hidradenitis or other Axilla infections. Anyone who suffers from excessive sweating disorder or has had numerous infections in their armpit before should not undergo brachioplasty.
Like all cosmetic procedures, brachioplasty should not be entered into lightly. Brachioplasty is an outpatient procedure which is usually performed under general anesthesia, but it can also be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Recovery time after a brachioplasty is generally 1-2 weeks, but depending on the amount of physical activity required by your job, you might need more recovery time. Drains are sometimes placed within the armpit to help drain the body's natural fluids, and these can be easily removed by your surgeon.
It is also important to note that some amount of scarring is inevitable, although it will be hidden inside the arm. Thus, patients should be prepared for moderate scarring after the procedure, but this will gradually fade over time (although it will most likely always be visible to the eye). However, for those patients who are truly unhappy with their upper arm appearance, some moderate scarring is worth a toned, fit look.
Gregory Alan Wiener, M.D.
Chicago Plastic Surgery
7447 W. Talcott, Suite 451
Chicago, IL 60631
773-763-3990 p
www.TheArtofPlasticSurgery.com
