SHORT DESCRIPTION / DEFINITION OF THE PROCEDURE
Arm lift or Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure to contour or reshape the upper arm. This area involves the axilla (underarm) up to the elbow.

MORE IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE
A variety of reasons can cause the unsightly sagging appearance of the upper arm. This may be caused by rapid weight loss, as a normal part of aging, or it may even run in your family.

Exercise and diet can tone the upper arm, however, the excess of skin and fat cannot always be adressed.
In essence, a brachioplasy contours and reshapes the arms as well as reduces excess skin and fat yielding a more aesthetic appearance.
It is important to note that this procedure is for individuals with upper arm skin laxity with realistic expectations. This is not for individuals who are extremely overweight or obese. Also, candidates for this procedure must be healthy, non-smoking individuals with no concomitant illnesses.


WHAT TO EXPECT DURING CONSULTATION

1. Your plastic surgeon will ask you a series of questions pertaining to your history, both medical and psychosocial, and your daily lifestyle, please give an honest answer during this process.
2. Your plastic surgeon will also ask you about previous surgeries, allergies and ilnesses, as well as a history of smiking.
3. Your plastic surgeon may take a baseline picture which will be included in your record. This will be used in the planning process as well as documentation for comparison after the procedure has been done.
4. Your plastic surgeon may discuss with you treatment options as well as possible complications and outcomes.

PREPARATION FOR THE SURGERY

1. Before the procedure, your doctor will order laboratory tests, and depending on your age or risk factors, ask for a medical clearance from an internist.
2. You may be askes to discontinue or adjust certain medications, both therapeutic and herbal.
3. You will be asked by your doctor to discontinue smoking as this will impede healing, and depending on the anesthetic to be used, may increase your chances of anesthetic complications.
4. You will be instructed on what to do on the day of surgery, the type of anesthetic to be used and other special preparations and antibiotics to be taken.
5. It is advisable to have someone accompany you during the day of surgery especially if a eneral anesthetic was used.

STEP BY STEP DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

Anesthesia
These are the drugs which will be used during the procedure to ensure that you are comfortable. This may range from local anesthetics with or without sedation, to general anesthetics. The choice will be made by your physician depending on what suits you best.

Incision
Though the incision is usually placed on the inside or at on the back of the arm, your doctor will decide on the best scar placement to make it less conspicuous and more cosmetically acceptable. The length of the scar is also influenced by how much reduction is needed as well as your doctors preference.

The incision is made, the connective tissue is tightened with sutures, excess skin and fat may be removed, and the skin will be redraped to the new contour of your arm.

Closure
Incisions will be closed using absorbable and non-absorbable sutures. The non-absorbable ones have to be removed in 7-10 days.
Immediately after the operations, you will see a tighter arm with and improved contour and minimal to no sagging. However, swelling and bruising may be apparent, however this may still be normal.

POTENTIAL RISKS / COMPLICATIONS OF THE PROCEDURE

Like all surgical procedures, there are related risks to be considered. It is the patients choice if he/she wants to push thru, weighing the potential benefits and risks. Your doctor may ask you to sign consent forms to make sure you have fully understood the above.
The potential risks would include:

1. Bleeding under the skin (Hematoma) and fluid accumulating under the skin (Seroma). This may or may not require and operation to correct.
2. Although all precautions will be undertaken to avoid this complications, infections can still happen. This may warrant the use of antibiotics, or in a worst case scenario, require a re-operation.
3. People heal at different rates and in different manners. In some individuals, the scar may be hairline and inconspicuous, while in otheres, it may turn out to be a thigh raised scar. Some patients will heal in a shorter period of time, while others may have poor wound healing which may result to wound separation.
4. Decrease in sensation or even persistent pain can be noted. Skin discoloration and prolonged welling may also ensue.This is related to possible damage to nerves, vessels and muscle.
5. Anesthetic related complications may also appear.
6. And among other risks which will be discussed by your surgeon.

WHAT TO EXPECT POST-OPERATIVELY

1. After the procedure, you may go home with bandages, dressing or even a plastic drain depending on your surgeons judgement.
2. You surgeon will give you instructions on medication to take, how to care for your wounds and drains, asctivities which you can/cannot do, when you can bathe, when the sutures are to be removed and when your are to followup.
3. If done in the outpatient,  you may be allowed to go home the same day, if a general anaesthetic was used, you will need someone to accompany and assist you.
4. As long as you maintain a reasonable diet and exercise and avoid rapid weight gain, the results can be long-lasting.

DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE MEDICAL TERMS MENTIONED IN THE TEXT

• Arm lift (Brachioplasty): A surgical procedure to correct sagging of the upper arms and improve its contour.
• General anesthetics: Medicine/gases, which may be given to a patient to control pain and consciousness.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly on the target site to relieve pain.
• Sutures: Stitches used to keep tissue and skin together