What's the recovery like after the arm lift? What can I expect in terms of downtime and scarring?

Hello and great question. Arms lifts are performed as an outpatient surgery (you go home after surgery). The total time you are in the operative room (including anesthesia, prep time, and surgery) is 2 to 2.5 hours.
Arm lifts are a great procedure and significantly improve the “hanging” skin and “tighten” the skin of the arm. The easiest way to think of this procedure is that we (the surgeons) are tailoring the skin on your arm. If you have a shirt that has excess fabric and you want the excess fabric taken in; then you would need to place a seam (also known as a dart) to do it. An arm lift has the same requirements. In order to take in the excess skin and tighten the remaining skin a incision or scar (or you can think of it as a seam) needs to be placed along the arm.
How long does the incision or scar need to be? The incision or scar needs to be as long as the length of the excess skin. This can be halfway down the arm for some individuals or the full length of the arm for others. I think this is extremely important; because some individuals will show before and after photos at angles that do not adequately show the scar. Revising the analogy to a tailor: if you went to the tailor and said you wanted the excess fabric taken in on a shirt, but then you told the tailor you didn’t want a seam opened up or a dart made on the shirt then the tailor would say it is not possible.
How noticeable will the scar be? Healing or scarring is an extremely individual process. If you are a person that makes thick or red scars, then there are different treatments we can do to minimize the scars.
What is downtime? The typical downtime is 1 to 2 weeks. During this time, you will have a compressive garment helping to decrease your swelling and further contour your arm. I like the compressive garment to worn at all times (except when showering) for 4 to 6 weeks.I hope that helps. Best of Luck!

Thank you for your question regarding arm lifts. There are several different types of arm lifts or brachioplasties. There is the crescent arm lift where a crescent area of armpit skin and fat are removed. The amount of arm skin and fat removed is minimal, however, the scar is hidden in the armpit. There is a full upper longitudinal arm lift where an elliptical area of inner arm skin and fat is removed. The incision extends from the armpit to the elbow. This full arm lift removes much more skin and fat than the crescent arm lift. There is a limited or modified T arm lift. This is a combination of the crescent and the full longitudinal arm lift. There is a moderate amount of upper arm skin and fat removed. There is well hidden armpit scar and a more visible scar that extends down the upper inner arm. The shape of the scar resembles the letter “T”. There is also a full upper and lower longitudinal brachioplasty. In this extensive surgical procedure, an incision is placed from the armpit to the elbow and then extends to the wrist. Upper arm and forearm skin is removed. This procedure is usually reserved for severe cases of upper arm and forearm excess skin and fat.
The recovery from the arm lift is similar for almost all types of arm lifts. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on your plastic surgeon’s comfort level and speed and which procedure is being performed, the arm lift can 2- hours. The arm lift is usually an outpatient procedure. Drains are not used usually.
During the first week, my arm lift patients should have their elbows extended and their wrist above their heart level. I do not let my arm lift patients drive for at least 2 weeks. Usually, after 2 weeks, patients can return to desk work. If your work entails a significant amount of lifting, I would suggest returning to work 3-4 weeks after your arm lift.
Post-operatively, I have patients wear ACE bandages from the hands to the arm pit for the first week. Then, if there is minimal forearm swelling, I have patients wear ACE bandages from the elbows to the arm pit for the second week. Once the incision has healed at about 3 to 4 weeks, I have patient wear compression garments from the forearm to the axillae for 6 weeks. While patients are wearing their garments, I encourage silicone strips to minimize scarring. After the garment, I suggest Bio-corneum silicone scar cream.
Good luck with your quest for skinnier arms.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

An arm lift  is typically not a painful operation, so patients can go back to work and light duty in a few days. Garment however, should be worn for at least a month. Discomfort is common for 1 to 2 weeks post op, and swelling can take up to 3 months to subside. Scarring would depend on your existing skincare practices, genetics, age, and a few other factors. It would be best to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can help discuss your unique situation

Scarring is very dependent on the amount and location of the excess tissue along your arm.  Our goal as plastic surgeons is to remove all the excess skin while giving you the best and most subtle scar possible.  If the excess skin extends to your elbow then that is the length the scar needs to be to remove this tissue.  There are patients in which the excess skin is localized to the upper 1/3 of the arm and can be removed by a short-scar technique.  A consultation with a plastic surgeon would be beneficial to determine your specific needs.  Also, in my opinion, placing the scar within the inside of the arm conceals the scar much better than placing it on the back of the arm.
I place all my patients in a compression garment in which I want them to wear for at least 4 weeks at all times other than showering.  The initial discomfort of surgery will improve over the first week. swelling may persist for 4 weeks but should be completely resolved by 6 weeks.  you can go back to light exercise at 3 weeks.  Hope that helps!

Thank you for your question.  I would recommend that you first consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.  Every surgeon his his/her own protocol during the recovery time after an arm lift.  In my practice, my patients are able to return back to work after about 10 days, cardio activity after 3 weeks and weights/yoga after 6 weeks.  Discuss with your surgeon what scar creams are recommended after surgery.  Best of luck!

Thank you for your question During your recovery from arm lift surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling following surgery.
A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.
You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing

Usually the arm lift is done also with liposuction.  Normally a tight garment for pressure is use also. The incision is closed in at least 2 layers,  since the arms are constantly under motion,  the scar despite being closed without tension,  can sometimes change and be either sligthly wide or raised.  Initially it is also red and as it matures, may transform into a white fine line.  Most patients explain the pain as mostly discomfort.  If your job is not physical (desk job) and depending on your pain tolerance; patients may return to work in as little as 3 to 5 days. The garment usually is used for 4 weeks. Hope this helps.

In my practice most patient scan expect to be out of work for about 7 days, and ever sooner if they do not perform any strenuous activities at work.  After 4-5 weeks the patient can return to full activities in the gym and work.  I place my scar along the medial extend of the arm, where it is nicely hidden when the arm is down by your side.  Scarring is variable and depends on the patients ability to heal. In most cases patients heal quite nicely and are very satisfied with the outcome. 

I often explain recovery in stages:1)  Discomfort - you may have a several days of discomfort that requires narcotic support.  This can be minimized with the use of pain pumps or injectable numbing medications like Exparel2)  Swelling/bruising - this may linger for 2-3 weeks with each week showing less swelling/bruising than the previous week3)  Activity restriction - you should refrain from stretching the arms, or any heavy lifting/exercise for 6 weeks.

Following an arm lift I prefer that patients take it easy for at least one week.  If their job is not very physical, they may resume work even sooner.  I also prefer that patients avoid strenuous exercise for at least one month.  Of course, I encourage patients to work out quite a bit before surgery so they will bounce back quickly following the operation.