During an arm lift, do surgeons always have to remove a bundle of nerves?

Removal of nerves is not part of arm lift surgery. Although some, very superficial nerve brunches, may be removed if very large skin excision is performed, preservation of all the nerves should be attempted. Temporary numbness may be experienced in postoperative recovery in areas around the scar but that should improve within 6 months after surgery. You should discuss this issue with your surgeon extensively before surgery to be sure that you have good understanding of possible complications. Good luck.

During an arm lift do surgeons have to remove a bundle of nerves? Thank you for your question regarding whether surgeons must remove a bundle of nerves during an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty. I have performed hundreds of arm lifts. I have never had to remove “a bundle of nerves.” There are three main nerves in the upper arm. Two of the nerves are extremely deep and are rarely injured. A more superficial nerve runs through the middle of the operating field. However, this rarely needs to be removed if the dissection is performed approximately. Visualization of this nerve is optimized by performing liposuction during the procedure. This minimizes the chances of the nerves being transected or moved. However, this is a single nerve and not a bundle of nerves. Therefore, surgeons do not have to remove a bundle of nerves during an arm lift. Whether the arms are large or small, the anatomy is very similar, and there is only one nerve. Just because you have very large arms does not mean you have more nerves in that area. I hope this helps answer your question about whether surgeons are to remove a bundle of nerves during an arm lift.

I specialize in arm lifts. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, please contact my office. Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 arm lifts. 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.  

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” 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.)

There are always superficial branches of sensory nerves that come out with any surgery that removes tissue. However, no "bundle of nerves" should come out with an arm lift. There is a particular forearm sensation nerve, called the medial ante-brachial cutaneous nerve that must be carefully avoided in brachioplasty, or upper arm lift. This is done by leaving some the tissue down on the deeper layer of the tissue that wraps around the muscles. A carefully down brachioplasty thus preserves all "named" or "major" nerves.