Brachioplasty Brisbane (‘Arm Reduction’)

Why consider a brachioplasty? | Brachioplasty surgery consultation | Brachioplasty surgery | Recovery period | Book a Consultation

NorthEast Plastic Surgery, has changed the layout of the educational information about this
procedure to outline the risk and recovery information at the top of the page in order to be
compliant with the advertising guidelines of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(Ahpra).

As we appreciate that this may impact your understanding, the surgeons will answer any related
questions at your consultation.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications involved in brachioplasty, which your surgeon will discuss with you in depth during your consultation. While uncommon, patients need to be informed of the risks before consenting to surgery.

Arm lift surgery carries the following potential risks and complications:

• Infection
• Allergic reaction to tapes and medication
• Problem scarring
• Wound breakdown
• Blood clot formation
• Excessive tissue fluid formation
• Numbness, redness and swelling of the inner arms and forearms

Loss of sensation, redness and swelling of the arms tend to improve over 18 months to two years after surgery. There is a small percentage (approximately 5 per cent) of patients who require further surgery to address the risks and complications of brachioplasty.

Recovery After Surgery

It is important that access to medical attention is available by telephone once you have been discharged. Issues about which your surgeon needs to be made aware urgently include pain uncontrolled by medication, bleeding to the extent that the dressings soak through with blood, temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, redness or swelling of the skin or any concerns related to the surgery.

After surgery, patients have sterile dressings and compressive garments where appropriate to keep swelling down and encourage a healthy wound healing process.

To keep bruising and swelling to a minimum, it is also recommended that you keep your arms elevated with pillows for a week. Patients also need to take great care ensuring that their arms do not get knocked or accidently hit for six weeks after the surgery.

Pain medication and antibiotics will be prescribed by your Specialist Anaesthetist, which will assist in minimising discomfort and potential infections of the wound.

Patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and driving for two weeks after surgery and are generally fit to return to work two to tthree weeks after surgery.

In post-operative consultations, patients will be advised on the best ways to manage their scars and swelling so as to reduce the appearance and thickness of surgical scars.

While bruising and swelling will increase a few days after surgery, it generally subsides some five to 10 days afterwards, although it will take several months for all soft tissue swelling to completely subside.

The final results of an arm lift may not be visible for many months following surgery, as the inner arm scar will remain visible for up to 18 months after surgery.

What is a Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty – also referred to as an arm reduction or arm lift surgery –removes skin and fat from the upper arms.

Some patients choose to have an arm reduction to address skin irritation and infection. Brachioplasty is best suited to individuals whose weight has remained stable for at least three months and are in good physical condition.

Arm Lift Surgery Consultation

You will need to allow one hour for your initial consultation process with the surgeon. During this appointment, the surgeon will discuss your expectations for the arm lift, how the surgery will be performed, the risks involved, and the recovery process.

During this appointment, you will also need to inform the doctor of your full medical history to ensure you’re a suitable candidate for the surgery.

Before Your Surgery

Your surgeon will discuss with you the necessary steps you must take to prepare yourself for surgery.

This includes:

• Stopping smoking at least six weeks before and six weeks following surgery
• Altering any medications or ceasing certain medications such as Aspirin, Disprin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Completing any required blood tests

Your surgeon will also discuss with you the extent of scarring you can expect as well as how much fat and tissue will be removed during your procedure.

How Much Does a Brachioplasty Cost?

We do not include a cost-per-procedure on our website. This is in line with the Australian Medical Board’s guidelines on advertising for regulated health services.

Following your consultation with your surgeon, you will be provided with a costing tailored to you. If you require information regarding the quotation process, you can contact our staff prior to your consultation.

Please contact us on 07 3180 3400 or submit an online enquiry to find out more.

There is a cost for an initial consultation at our Brisbane clinic, with the potential to receive a portion of this back via Medicare where eligible for rebate, provided you have a referral from your GP.

The Surgical Procedure

Brachioplasty surgery is performed by one of NorthEast Plastic Surgery’s experienced surgeons, Mr Patrick Tansley or Dr Sugitha Seneviratne, in an accredited hospital.

While the patient is under general anaesthetic, the surgeon makes incisions that run from armpit down to the lower arm, just above the elbow. Excess fat from the inner aspect of the arm is removed and in some cases, liposuction surgery is also performed.

Dissolving and external skin stitches are applied to close the skin, and drains may be inserted to reduce the risk of blood or tissue fluid build-up.

Following surgery, some patients may need to have their external stitches removed a week to 10 days afterwards.

Second Opinion

Mr Patrick Tansley MD FRCS (Plast) and Dr Sugitha Seneviratne FRACS (Plast) provide second opinion to patients seeking to address problems following plastic surgery performed elsewhere and revisional or corrective surgery. If you would like a second opinion on previously undertaken surgery, book a consultation to discuss this with one or both of our surgeons.