Arm Lift: Q&A

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Should I Be Disappointed with my Brachioplasty?

6 weeks ago, I had bilat. brachioplasty w/lipo. I "pinched" my upper arms during my consult, so that my PS could see the aesthetic I desired. But during prep on the morning of the surgery, he insisted that it would look "freakish" to create too thin an upper arm, and I needed "that flare", to look natural. I am 6 weeks post-op, and am 3 inches smaller, around my upper arms. But I detest that "flare" I am told is natural. Can I achieve that thinner look by strength training, and/or losing my last 10 lbs?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by whatagrl in Redding, California: USA

Doctor Answers (12)
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Brachioplasty (arm lift) recovery. Wait a year for the scars to mature

Brachioplasty or arm lift is a great operation for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. It appears like you have an excellent result and a thoughtful plastic surgeon because if the brachioplasty is over done it can leave you with "Popeye" arms: big forearms and small upper arm. Be patient with the recovery because it will take almost a year for your scars to mature. I hope this helps and be patient.

Arm Lifting Surgery

Thank you for the question. You are still early in the recovery process so please allow yourself time to heal and for the swelling to go down before you decide that you would like to have revisionary surgery. I agree that it is better to be conservative during surgery because you can always go back and remove more tissue but if too much was removed the first time around, it's difficult to correct that. Let your body heal and keep in close communication with your surgeon.... more

Brachioplasty results

It is been only three months since your procedure. I would suggest that you wait until your 6 month post operative appointment before you begin to evaluate your results.

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Arm lift

It is difficult to figure out what you are talking about without evaluating you in person. The arms are not just straight tubes, they do have a gentle curve to them and normal aesthetics should be the goal.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Arm aesthetics explained

The upper arms tapers from the elbow to the shoulder- it should be slightly larger in average circumference than the forearm. The front and back of the arm pit should be 'tight' without any laxity. The skin of the armpit should be appear to be a deep 'dome' shape without any laxity.

Arm lift results

As noted by others, it is important to give your wounds time to heal. It is important to keep in close contact with your plastic surgeon. We work hard to give our patients the results that they want. It's not always possible to have it all, but if a realistic result is possible and things have not quite healed the way you imagined, talk to your surgeon. This is a much better route to take than shopping around for other doctors.

Give your brachioplasty time to heal

It takes several months to see the final results of the type of brachioplasty you describe. Without photos I cannot make specific recommendations. I can say, however, that it is always easy to take a little more skin and fat, but extremely difficult to correct the situation if too much tissue was removed. For now you should be patient. Discuss with your plastic surgeon that you are willing to wait, but you will want to discuss your results in a few months. more

Unhappy with Brachioplasty - too soon to tell

It is very common to be unhappy with soome plastic surgery procedures during the healing phase. We have all these expectations that are not realized immediately. It is far too early to tell if you will be happy. The scars are still red and raised. the skin looks wierd and rippled in some areas and these things are very common. Sometimes it is necessary to do a minor touch up which will correct all these problems. I advise my patients to wait 6 months before... more

disappointed with my brachioplasty

No photos of before and after very hard to discuss. You are early in the healing phase. Wait 3 months than complain if not happy. From MIAMI DR. B

Arm Lift

Arm lift, Brachioplasty should maintain the arm aesthetics, as well as the patients desires. If the patients expectation are not in concert with that of the patient's more discussions are needed before the surgery. You are stii very early after surgery, wait 3-6 months the reassess the situation with your plastic surgeon, Loosing 3 inches is a great surgical achievement in Brachioplasty

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Arm Lift: Q&A

Should I Be Disappointed with my Brachioplasty?