Arm Lift Houston, TX
Weight fluctuations and natural aging cause the skin on the upper arm to stretch and become loose, and fat deposits to accumulate. Over time, these conditions can cause embarrassing arm flaps to hang off the upper arms.
Arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arm to produce more slender and toned contours.
Table of Contents
- What Is Arm Lift Surgery?
- What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?
- Am I a Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?
- How Is Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
- Should I Combine My Arm Lift With Another Surgery?
- How Long Is My Arm Lift Recovery?
- When Will I See My Arm Lift Results?
- Will I Have Scars After My Arm Lift?
- How Much Does Arm Lift Surgery Cost in Houston, TX?
What Is Arm Lift Surgery?
An arm lift is a body contouring procedure designed to improve the shape and definition of your upper arms by removing excess skin and fat. Many patients choose to undergo an arm lift after significant weight loss or to address skin laxity in their upper arms due to aging.
The procedure focuses on the area between your underarm and elbow, where loose tissue often develops. Depending on your needs, Dr. Kronowitz offers the traditional incisional arm lift, an arm lift using liposuction only, or a combination of the two. The result is a smoother, more toned arm appearance that complements the proportions of the rest of your body.
Typically for patients after weight loss, Dr. Kronowitz offers another “highly specialized” option referred to as the “The Axillary Sweep™” in which he performs brachioplasty, excision of the bra roll, and a breast lift in a single procedure. Dr. Kronowitz uses a continuous incision to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, targets the “bra fat” or side of the chest area, and naturally extends to lift and reshape the breast mound.
What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?
Arm lift surgery offers more than just cosmetic improvement. By removing excess skin and reshaping your upper arms, the procedure can both enhance your appearance and restore your physical comfort.
Improved Arm Contours
One of the primary benefits of an arm lift is achieving smoother, firmer, and more proportionate upper arms. Significant weight loss, aging, and genetics can cause your skin to lose elasticity, resulting in a drooping or “bat wing” appearance that cannot be successfully addressed with exercise alone. An arm lift removes this excess tissue and tightens the remaining skin, creating a more sculpted arm contour and allowing you to enjoy an improved, more proportional physique.
Restored Function and Comfort
Excess skin on your upper arms can do more than affect your appearance—it can also create physical discomfort. Loose skin may rub against your body or clothing, causing chronic irritation and chafing, limiting your range of motion, and making exercise or everyday movements less comfortable. By removing redundant skin and improving the shape of your arm, an arm lift can make physical activities easier and more comfortable while reducing friction and skin irritation.
Increased Confidence
Feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your upper arms can influence everything from your clothing choices to social activities. Many people avoid wearing sleeveless tops, dresses, or swimwear because they are uncomfortable with the excess skin on their upper arms. After your arm lift, you may feel more confident showing your arms and wearing a wider variety of clothing styles, which can help you feel more comfortable in both personal and professional settings.
Am I a Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?
Good candidates for arm lift surgery are nonsmokers in good overall health with realistic expectations for their results. Ideal candidates for arm lift surgery have excess skin and flab on their upper arms, and they are seeking removal to:
- Improve their upper arm contour
- Create the look of enhanced musculature
- Wear the clothing they want
- Restore their confidence
For liposuction-only arm lift surgery, candidates should have good skin elasticity in their upper arms.
The best way to determine if you are a candidate for arm lift surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kronowitz by calling (713) 523-0300.
How Is Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
Arm lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. The exact technique used depends on the amount of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed.
Incisional Arm Lift
An incisional arm lift is designed to remove excess skin and fat, using an incision that extends from the elbow to the armpit along the inner arm or the back of the arm, where it can be concealed as much as possible. Excess skin is carefully removed, and the underlying tissues may be tightened to create a smoother contour. If stubborn fat deposits are present, liposuction may be used to enhance the overall result.
Once Dr. Kronowitz achieves the desired results, the incisions are meticulously closed, and your arms may be wrapped in compression garments to support healing and minimize swelling.
Arm Lift Using Liposuction
Dr. Kronowitz uses liposuction during his arm lifts to liquefy fat and tighten loose skin on the arms. His upper-arm liposuction technique results in long-term tightening of the arm without cutting. This technique is sometimes called a “scarless arm lift.”
During arm liposuction, small incisions are made discreetly in the arm, just large enough to insert a cannula. This thin, hollow tube first dislodges and then suctions out the unwanted fat pockets in the upper arm. This process not only removes unwanted, diet- and exercise-resistant fat but also helps tighten loose skin.
Minimal scarring may develop from the liposuction incisions. These will fade over time to become nearly invisible. Patients are both surprised and delighted by how toned their arms look, with minimal scarring.
Should I Combine My Arm Lift With Another Surgery?
Arm lift surgery can be combined with liposuction in neighboring areas for more comprehensive body contouring results.
An arm lift is commonly included as part of a body lift following significant or massive weight loss. Plastic surgery after weight loss can involve skin removal in all areas of your body and may combine several procedures, such as liposuction, thigh lift surgery, lower body lift surgery, and a butt lift.
How Long Is My Arm Lift Recovery?
Following arm lift surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling, bruising, tightness, and mild discomfort during the initial stages of healing. Your arms may be covered with compression garments to help minimize swelling and support and shape your healing tissues. Any discomfort you experience can be lessened with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.
Most patients can return to light daily activities within one to two weeks; however, strenuous exercise and activities should be avoided for several weeks. Dr. Kronowitz will provide detailed instructions regarding activity restrictions and incision care.
Swelling after your arm lift will gradually subside over the following weeks and months, revealing increasingly defined arm contours. While your incision scars will initially appear pink or firm, they typically fade significantly over time with proper care.
When Will I See My Arm Lift Results?
Most patients are thrilled with their thinner, more contoured arms after a scarless arm lift or a traditional arm lift, and are often eager to show off their results in sleeveless outfits. Even though you may want to show off your arms immediately following your procedure, your final results will develop gradually. You will notice the full extent of your arm lift once the bruising and swelling subside—usually in a few weeks.
The results of your arm lift are generally permanent as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This surgery does not halt the aging process, so your arms will continue to age naturally.
Will I Have Scars After My Arm Lift?
Scars will develop after all surgical procedures that require incisions. Usually, plastic surgery incisions are made in areas that are easy to conceal with clothing. Unfortunately, this can be challenging with incisional arm lift surgery, since all parts of the arm are often exposed, especially during the warmer summer months.
Fortunately, Dr. Kronowitz prefers to use a relatively hidden inner arm incision to perform arm lift surgery. With liposuction of the arms only, the very small scars are nearly imperceptible once the area heals. Because of this, many of Dr. Kronowitz’s Houston arm lift patients do not have to worry about extensive scarring after their arm lift.
For patients who choose an arm lift after significant weight loss to eliminate excess hanging skin, incisions are placed along the inside of the arm, typically extending from the armpit to the elbow. These patients may develop visible scarring when they lift their arms; however, most patients feel that this scar is an easy trade-off for the slimmer, more contoured arm results they achieve.
Dr. Kronowitz offers these patients a “highly specialized” option referred to as the “The Axillary Sweep™” in which he performs brachioplasty, excision of the bra roll, and a breast lift in a single procedure. Dr. Kronowitz uses a continuous incision to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, targets the “bra fat” or side of the chest area, and naturally extends to lift and reshape the breast mound.
Scars can be lessened by using topical scar creams, undergoing laser scar treatments, and keeping the healing incisions out of the sun. Additionally, it is important not to return to heavy lifting or strenuous exercise too soon after surgery, as this can cause the incisions to separate, which may widen the resulting scar.
How Much Does Arm Lift Surgery Cost in Houston, TX?
At Kronowitz Plastic Surgery, the total cost of your arm lift surgery will depend on the extent of the procedure, in addition to anesthesia fees, facility fees, and surgeon’s fees.
Your Houston arm lift cost will be determined after your consultation, once Dr. Kronowitz has established the appropriate treatment plan for you. This price estimate will include any additional procedures or techniques required to achieve your desired results.
Learn More About Arm Lift Surgery in Houston, TX
To learn more about an arm lift, schedule a consultation with Dr. Steven J. Kronowitz today by calling (713) 523-0300 or by completing our online contact form.
Dr. Kronowitz sees patients from Houston as well as the surrounding areas, including Cypress, The Woodlands, Conroe, Houston Heights, Kingwood, River Oaks, West University Place, Bellaire, Memorial, Katy, Spring, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Friendswood, Pearland, Clear Lake, Webster, Pasadena, Baytown, Galveston, League City, Pasadena, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas.
Locations
Bellaire
6565 West Loop South, Suite 850
Bellaire, TX 77401
Kingwood
4533 Kingwood Dr., Suite 100
Kingwood Area, TX 77345
The Woodlands
9180 Pinecroft Dr. , Suite 250
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Cypress
27700 Northwest Fwy, Suite 330
Cypress, TX 77433
