Arm lift in Medellín

Arm lift, upper arm lift and brachioplasty are all names for the same surgery. Many people also search for it as “bat wings,” because of how the loose skin hangs. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it removes sagging skin, tightens the supporting tissue that gives the arm its shape and reduces localized fat in the area between the armpit and the elbow. This sagging can come from weight changes, aging or genetics, and the ASPS notes that exercise doesn't correct it.

An arm lift always leaves a scar. It sits on the inner side of the arm, the least visible area, and its length depends on how much extra skin there is. According to the ASPS, it can run from the armpit to just above the elbow, or be shorter. Fat can be removed directly or with liposuction, and the supporting tissue is tightened with internal stitches. If there is very little extra skin, the ASPS says some people may be candidates for a mini arm lift, although most are not. Your surgeon decides which one is right for you after examining you.

It comes down to your skin. According to the ASPS, liposuction alone can fall short when there is extra skin and, in some people, can even make the sagging look worse. Other paths to consider:

• Removing skin from several areas after losing a lot of weight, with body contouring after major weight loss.
• Treating the thighs with a thigh lift or the abdomen with a tummy tuck.
• If the sagging is mild, asking the aesthetic physician whether radiofrequency is an option for you.

Your surgeon decides at your in-person consultation whether to combine it with another surgery.

According to the ASPS, it's for adults with significant sagging in the upper arm who are at a relatively stable weight and not significantly overweight, are in good health, don't smoke and have realistic expectations. So, in general, it's not the right time yet if:

• You're still losing weight, for example after a gastric sleeve or a gastric bypass. Your weight needs to stabilize first, with a medical plan if you need one.
• You smoke and aren't going to quit before surgery.
• You have a medical condition that makes healing harder or raises the risk of surgery.

Your surgeon confirms what applies to you after examining you.

Every surgery has risks, and an arm lift is no exception. The ASPS lists, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Bleeding, infection or fluid buildup (seroma).
• Damage to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles.
• Fat necrosis: some of the fat under the skin may die.
• Poor wound healing or unfavorable scarring.
• Numbness or other changes in sensation, or pain that may persist.
• Stitches that don't dissolve and work their way out through the skin on their own, with irritation, drainage or redness.
• The need for revision surgery.

Before you decide, we go over each one with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

According to the ASPS, before surgery you get lab tests or a medical evaluation, stop smoking and review your medications with your specialist, because aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We tell you what to stop taking. You need an adult to take you to surgery, pick you up and stay with you for at least the first night. Afterward, your arms are wrapped in elastic bandages or a compression garment to reduce swelling, sometimes with a drain, a thin tube that removes excess blood or fluid, as the ASPS explains. While you heal, you avoid putting strain on the incision. You go home with clear instructions and follow-up visits until you're discharged.