Are you self-conscious about your upper arms? Wish you had the confidence to wear summer outfits without sleeves? Brachioplasty surgery removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms which may have resulted from weight loss through surgery, diet and exercise or following pregnancy.

Surgery can be corrective to address the appearance of the upper arms and aims to achieve a toned look. This article gives an overview of brachioplasty surgery as well as useful information to help you decide if this procedure is right for you.

brachioplasty surgery

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic administered by Specialist Anaesthetists in an accredited hospital. The incisions are placed on the inside of the arm extending from the armpit to the elbow.

The internal wounds are repaired with dissolving stitches and there may be a small number of external skin stitches. At the completion of surgery, a waterproof dressing is applied which is suited to showering and a compression garment applied to minimise soft tissue swelling.

what to expect after surgery

The final result of brachioplasty surgery may not be seen for many months following surgery. In order to minimise post-operative bruising, elevation of the arms should be maintained with pillows for 7 days. In general, swelling and bruising increase over the first three to five days and improve between five to ten days. In some instances, it may take several months for the soft tissue swelling to subside completely. During this period the sensation of the arm and forearm skin may be affected but will return to normal over a few months.

Driving a motor vehicle should be avoided for two weeks following surgery. Physical activity such as walking for exercise can commence three weeks after surgery, progressing to running at six weeks and normal exercise including swimming at eight weeks. It is important to avoid upper arm trauma from being knocked or hit accidentally for six weeks after surgery. Return to work can be anticipated after two to three weeks.

IMPORTANCE OF YOUR CONSULTATION

During your consultation, your Surgeon will discuss with you the extent and length of the scars and explain that a wedge of skin and fat tissue will be removed to optimise the contour of the upper arm.

A consultation with your Surgeon is imperative so that you can discuss your expectations and identify potential limitations to achieving your expectations such as the extent of skin excess and skin quality. It’s also your opportunity to ask any questions that you have and to understand the potential risks as well as the recovery and post-operative requirements.

It is important that the Surgeon is aware of previous surgery and history of scarring along with significant medical history including a tendency for easy bruising and excessive bleeding, deep venous clots involving the legs, all prescription and non prescription medication, allergies to anaesthetic agents, antibiotics and dressings, history of smoking and any other notable health issues. These issues are important as they have the potential to affect the surgery, anaesthesia, potential complications and recovery.

COST

The cost of an initial consultation with a Surgeon to discuss your procedure is $140. A portion of this cost may be claimed from Medicare if you have a referral from your GP. During your consultation with a Surgeon of NorthEast Plastic Surgery - Mr Patrick Tansley or Dr Sugitha Seneviratne, you will be given a personalised quote for your surgery.

Next step

Next Step If you are considering this procedure and have questions you would like to ask, or if you would like to book a confidential consultation with one of our highly qualified, experienced surgeons to see what can be achieved for your individual needs, simply click below or call (03) 9088 5000 for Melbourne or (07) 3180 3400 for Brisbane.