Even after consistent dieting and exercising, some individuals still find stubborn loose skin along their upper arms. At MacDonald Plastic Surgery, Dr. Jeannie MacDonald offers arm lift surgery to remove excess skin and address fat in the upper arms, resulting in a firmer, more toned appearance. The best time for an arm lift is when your weight is stable, and you are prepared for the preparation and recovery involved in the procedure.
Signs Your Concerns Match What Brachioplasty Is Meant to Treat
Who is a good candidate for arm lift surgery?
An arm lift can be a strong option when upper arm skin and tissue have changed in a way that diet and exercise alone cannot correct. Dr. MacDonald may recommend liposuction to permanently remove fat cells and deliver a more contoured arm.
Good candidates often share a few common traits, including:
- Loose skin along the upper arms
- Stubborn fat deposits in the area
- Changes after major weight loss
- Loss of skin elasticity with aging
- A desire for firmer upper arm contour
Arm lift surgery is especially helpful for women and men who feel self-conscious about loose skin or lingering fullness in the upper arms, particularly after weight loss or age-related loss of elasticity. An arm lift is not a weight loss procedure, so the best candidates are already at or near a good body weight before surgery.
Stable Weight Is Usually the Best Sign That Timing Is Right
When is the best time for an arm lift?
The best time for an arm lift is usually when your body weight has been stable for six months or more, and you are ready to focus on contour rather than continued weight reduction. Patients should be at or near a good body weight for the most favorable result. This matters because weight changes after surgery can affect how your arms look over time.
That timing often looks like:
- You are near a healthy goal weight
- Your weight has been consistent for six months or more
- Exercise has not improved loose skin
- You want contouring, not weight loss
- You can plan for recovery time
If you have finished a major weight-loss journey and are now bothered by excess skin that remains, it may be a good time to discuss an arm lift consultation.
Getting Ready Starts with Consultation and Practical Planning
What are ways to prepare for arm lift surgery?
During your consultation, Dr. MacDonald will review your review goals, examine your arms, explain what to expect before, during, and after surgery, and discuss potential risks and how to prepare for your procedure.
Preparation for arm lift surgery is not just about the day of the procedure. It starts with understanding the process, ensuring you are medically ready, and arranging support for the first few days after surgery. Arm lift surgery is performed as an outpatient surgery under general anesthesia, and patients complete a pre-operative questionnaire to help confirm they are ready for surgery.
- Complete the pre-operative questionnaire
- Follow fasting instructions the night before
- Arrange a ride home after surgery
- Plan for someone to stay with you
- Review risks and recovery instructions
The Procedure Is Focused, but It Still Takes a Full Surgical Day
What happens on the day of arm lift surgery?
Knowing what surgery day involves can also help you decide whether you are truly ready for an arm lift. Patients should prepare for a full day built around surgery and early recovery. As the procedure typically combines liposuction and surgery to remove excess fat and loose skin from the upper arms, surgery takes about two hours, followed by about three hours in recovery. It’s important for patients to expect to spend the day at the hospital even though they will return home the same day.
- General anesthesia is typically used
- Surgery takes about two hours
- Recovery room time follows surgery
- You go home the same day
- Pain medication is provided before discharge
For many patients, feeling ready means being comfortable with both the surgical plan and the commitment the procedure requires.
True Beauty Starts Today
Look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside
Ready to Get Started?
Combining her unique surgical expertise with her artistic understanding of balance and proportion, Dr. Jeannie MacDonald brings out the most naturally beautiful you. Meet Dr. MacDonald today to learn more.
Recovery Is Manageable with Planning and Patience
What does arm lift recovery look like?
Recovery after an arm lift takes some structure, especially in the first few weeks. Patients need someone to drive them home and stay with them during the first 24 hours. After the first 48 hours, it’s important to wear a compression wrap full-time until healing is complete in about 2 to 4 weeks. Most patients can return to work in about 1 week for sedentary jobs or several weeks for very physical jobs. Avoid running, weightlifting, and similar activities for 4 to 6 weeks; however, gentle walking is encouraged early on in recovery.
A realistic recovery plan usually includes the following:
- Help at home for the first 24 hours
- A wrap or binder worn full-time
- A follow-up visit within 5 to 7 days
- Time away from strenuous exercise
- Gentle walking to improve blood flow
- Patience while swelling improves
Most swelling resolves within 4 to 6 weeks, but full results may take 3 to 6 months to appear.
Schedule a Consultation for Arm Lift Surgery with Dr. Jeannie MacDonald Today
Dr. MacDonald brings surgical expertise and her artistic eye for proportion to arm lift surgery in New Westminster, BC. Ready to explore an arm lift in New Westminster, BC? Schedule a consultation with Dr. MacDonald today.