Living in sunny Naples, we’re used to great weather year-round, and we like to wear the sleeveless fashions and swimsuits that fit the mild temperatures. But as we age, gravity has its way with our bodies. Our upper arms aren’t an area we think of, but they are especially prone to sagging and drooping. Even if you’re at or near your ideal weight, your upper arms may be very saggy.
This unfortunate characteristic of aging can make us not want to get out that sleeveless dress. Swimsuits? No thanks.
But Dr. Turk can give you younger-looking arms with an arm lift. Clinically known as brachioplasty, an arm lift reshapes your upper arms to a more toned, slimmer profile by removing excess fat and sagging skin.
Would I benefit from an arm lift?
Bat wings. That’s the colloquial term for loose upper arms that, when moved, tend to swing like the wings of the proverbial flying mammal. While you may not have that degree of looseness, the test of the need for an arm lift is if you’re embarrassed by the sagging skin and lack of definition on your upper arms. An arm lift can return contour.
However, it is important to note that Dr. Turk wants his arm lift patients to be at or near their ideal weight. An arm lift is not a weight loss procedure. Plus, the surgery also creates a lengthy scar, although it fades dramatically with time.
How is an arm lift done?
Due to the length of the area to be contoured, an arm lift requires that Dr. Turk make an incision from the underarm to the elbow, along with the inside of the upper arm. Excess fat is removed with liposuction, excess skin is trimmed, and underlying muscles are tightened where necessary.
In some cases, where the sagging isn’t extensive, Dr. Turk can perform a minimal-incision arm lift. In these cases, he makes a few small incisions near the underarm rather than one long incision on each arm. Obviously, the two of you will discuss which method will work best for you during your consultation.
Recovery and results
Recovery from brachioplasty is not difficult. You will return home with bandages and possibly drainage tubes on your incisions. You’ll need to wear compression garments on both arms to minimize swelling and help your arms adapt to their new contour. Most of the swelling subsides in two weeks, and patients can usually return to work at that time. You’ll have to refrain from strenuous activity for six weeks, though, to not aggravate the stitches and reshaped muscle fiber. This is particularly true of lifting heavy objects with your arms. Your results are immediate and continue to improve as the swelling subsides. Although there is scarring, most patients are highly satisfied with their arm lift, especially when the beaches come calling in the spring.
Winter is a great time to deal with those saggy upper arms. Call Dr. Turk at Naples Cosmetic Surgery, 239-348-4357, to schedule a consultation.
