Hello Peaceful252071, Thank you for your question regarding whether an arm lift is a safe procedure for a 69-year-old. Thank you for your history and your picture. Biological age is more important than chronological age. By this measure, safer surgical patients are those who have minimal risk factors. You seem relatively healthy with only high cholesterol. It is crucial that you do not vape. Vaping can seriously impact your surgery both intra- and postoperatively. It will be important for you to be vape-free for at least 2 to 3 months before surgery. Furthermore, it would be ideal to achieve your goal weight of 155 before your arm lift. However, most plastic surgeons would agree that another 15-pound weight loss would not significantly impact your arms or the surgical results of your brachioplasty. Before contemplating your brachioplasty plastic surgery, your doctor will order labs, an EKG, and a chest x-ray. Most plastic surgeons would also suggest a cardiac stress test and carotid ultrasound because of your age and history of high cholesterol and vaping. If you pass medical clearance, you could undergo an arm lift. An arm lift takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete under general anesthesia. During your arm lift, arm liposuction would also be performed. In addition, the incision will extend from the armpit to the elbow. Drains are usually not used. The recovery is approximately two weeks. You’ll need to wear a compression garment for about six weeks after the arm lift surgery. Therefore, your age should not be a sole contraindication to surgery; if you are a healthy 69-year-old, you can undergo a brachioplasty. Good luck. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding whether an arm lift procedure is safe for a 69-year-old female who has a history of hypercholesterolemia and vapes. Since an arm lift can be a challenging surgery, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 150 arm lifts. Do your research. Ensure procedures. Make certain they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS, FASBPS (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)
