How common are serious complications like necrosis after a full brachioplasty (armpit to elbow)?

Hi Poetsjasmine,
Thank you for your question regarding how common are serious complications like necrosis after a full brachioplasty (armpit to elbow). Complications can occur with any type of surgery including an arm lift or brachioplasty. Necrosis is a medical term to describe cell death. Fortunately, necrosis is VERY rare after a full brachioplasty. Complications after an arm lift include wound break-down, bleeding, infection, numbness, seroma, hematoma, prolonged swelling (edema), lymphedema, restricted arm movement (tightness), asymmetry and poor scarring. These complications are much more common than necrosis. To minimize risks of all these potential complications including necrosis, you can take proactive steps. Please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing arm lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 150 arm lift procedures. Make sure they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. To minimize complications, after your arm lift, you must follow your plastic surgeons recommendations. Most complications can be avoided if you closely follow their post-op instructions. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding necrosis after an arm reduction. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. To get an accurate assessment of what exactly you need, schedule a free virtual consultation. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS ( 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.)

As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks; but with a brachioplasty, they are much lower. The major complications are infection and hematoma, not necrosis.  Higher risks are associated with patients having a BMI over 30 and smokers.Infection risks can be lowered by following appropriate wound care protocol provided by your plastic surgeon and taking antibiotics.  Eating a diet rich in protein (including protein shakes) will enhance the healing process.  The use of post-operative drains and wearing the compression sleeve minimize the chance of a hematoma forming.The recovery period following the brachioplasty procedure can be slow; however, the return of normal function of the arms and hands are seen within a couple of weeks. Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Serious complications are quite rare after a brachioplasty. More common are smaller complications like excess scarring and sometimes small areas of wound breakdown in the armpits.  You should definitely see a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss the range of complications, but also give you an idea of the excellent results you may expect.

Hi Poetsjasmine.It's not very common, but it is a risk of most operations. In the arms, I rarely see necrosis now with linear incisions. To reduce the risks, the tension must be set appropriately, and not overly tight. Good planning and good markings are also helpful. You can view samples of before and afters in  the links below.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO :)

Necrosis is a scary word. Losing a small piece of skin is not usually significant after a large skin surgery. It will typically heal just fine with proper wound care. Extensive necrosis is another issue. You haven't mentioned the extent of your problem. Limit healing problems by staying warm, avoiding pressure, preventing infection with proper wound care and eating well to encourage proper healing. 

Having skin necrosis after a skin resection procedure can happen but fortunately is not frequent.  For most,  it happens when there is a large undermining of the skin compromising the blood supply to the area or if it is closed on extreme tension.  Is more common to see superficial necrosis along the wound but for most wound care should take care of it. Once healed,  it can be re evaluated for revision of the scar if necessary. Hope this helps