Arm Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Bern, NC
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that sculpts the arms to improve their appearance. (1) If you have droopy skin from aging, significant weight loss, or genetics, an arm lift can help you achieve a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. Dr. John Zannis and his team at Zannis Plastic Surgery are among the leading plastic surgery practices in North Carolina and specialize in numerous cosmetic procedures. Dr. Zannis and his staff have helped patients not only from New Bern but from across the Carolinas achieve impressive cosmetic enhancements.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Zannis to explore your options further, or call our office at (252) 633-1197 with any questions you may have.
Contents
About Arm Lifts
Arm lift procedures address excess skin that affects the upper arms, a common concern after weight loss and/or aging. Arm lift procedures have become increasingly popular in recent years. (2) Dr. Zannis can perform a variety of different techniques, most of which involve some form of removing excess skin and fat to contour the arms.
Types of Arm Lift Procedures
Dr. Zannis can employ multiple approaches for arm rejuvenation. Some of the common techniques include:
- Traditional Arm Lift: This method involves an incision that runs from the elbow to the armpit. It allows for significant skin tightening and fat removal.
- Mini Arm Lift: In this variation, the incision is shorter and may only extend from the armpit to the midpoint of the upper arm. It is suitable for patients with moderate sagging.
- Liposuction-Assisted Arm Lift: This technique combines liposuction and skin tightening to remove fat deposits without a substantial incision. It works best for individuals with good skin elasticity.
- Extended Arm Lift: This approach is for individuals with excess skin extending into the chest area, requiring a more extensive incision pattern.
Benefits
Arm lifts can offer numerous physical and mental advantages to patients. At Zannis Plastic Surgery, our precise techniques and expert care help patients benefit through:
- Enhanced Contour: An arm lift smooths out contours, giving a sleeker, toned appearance to the arms.
- Skin Tightening: The procedure removes excess skin, leading to tighter and firmer upper arms.
- Confidence Boost: Patients report greater self-esteem and body positivity after their arm lift, feeling more willing to wear fitted clothing.
- Improved Comfort: Many individuals find loose skin uncomfortable, particularly when exercising. An arm lift resolves this issue.
- Long-lasting Results: With a healthy lifestyle, the results can last for many years.
- Customized Approach: Each arm lift is personalized to address the unique goals of each patient.
- Minimized Incisions: Advances in techniques allow for small incisions hidden in natural folds whenever possible.
- Combination with Other Procedures: An arm lift can be performed alongside other body contouring procedures, like liposuction, to enhance overall results.
To experience some of the many benefits associated with arm lift procedures for yourself, contact Zannis Plastic Surgery or call (252) 633-1197 to schedule a personal consultation.
Ideal Candidates
Arm lift procedures appeal to many different types of people. Eligible candidates for an arm lift often include both men and women who:
- Have excess and sagging skin in the upper arms
- Are in good overall health
- Are non-smokers or are willing to quit temporarily
- Have realistic expectations regarding the surgery outcomes
- Maintain a stable weight
Personal Consultation
Your first step toward smoother, more sculpted arms begins with a personal consultation. During this visit, Dr. Zannis will review your medical history, evaluate the condition of your upper arms, and talk through your personal goals. This one-on-one conversation will allow him to recommend the most effective approach or combination of techniques to help you achieve the outcome you are looking for. Every patient is unique, and our goal during this consultation is to fully understand your individual concerns and expectations. We want you to feel informed, empowered, and comfortable with your decision to pursue an arm lift, so we welcome all of your questions and will guide you through every detail of the process.
To take the first step toward achieving a more toned, youthful arm contour, contact Zannis Plastic Surgery or call our office at (252) 633-1197 to schedule your consultation.
Preparation
To help ensure the best possible results from your arm lift, the staff at Zannis Plastic Surgery will provide you with personalized preoperative instructions. You may need to pause the use of specific medications or supplements that could raise the risk of bleeding, such as medications with blood-thinning properties. Patients who use nicotine products will be required to stop well in advance of their surgery, as their use can interfere with healing.
You will need to arrange for transportation on the day of surgery and plan for a recovery period at home with limited activity. Following these preparation steps will contribute to a smoother recovery and optimal results. Throughout the process, Dr. Zannis and his team will be available to answer your questions and make sure you feel fully prepared for the journey ahead.
Procedure
Arm lift procedures begin by administering general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation to ensure your comfort. Once the anesthesia takes effect, Dr. Zannis will create carefully placed incisions, usually on the inner or back side of the upper arm, to help conceal any future scarring. Through these incisions, Dr. Zannis will remove excess skin and fat while tightening the underlying tissues to reshape the arms and enhance their contour. In some cases, liposuction may be used to further refine the results. The entire procedure usually lasts about two to three hours.
Recovery
You can expect some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort following your arm lift, but these side effects will gradually improve over the first few weeks. Most patients are ready to return to work or light activities within 7 to 14 days, though you should avoid strenuous movement or any heavy exercise until cleared by Dr. Zannis. Depending on your specific treatment plan, Dr. Zannis may recommend wearing a compression garment to help support the healing process and minimize swelling. The Zannis Plastic Surgery staff will monitor your progress and guide you through each phase of recovery to ensure optimal healing.
Results
Initial improvements in your arm contour will be visible soon after your procedure, with full results becoming more noticeable over the following one to two months as swelling fades and your skin adjusts to its new shape. When performed by a skilled professional like Dr. Zannis, an arm lift can result in a dramatically smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking upper arm appearance. Arm contouring procedures are associated with low complication rates and overall positive patient satisfaction. (3) Many patients report newfound confidence when wearing sleeveless clothing following their arm lift.
Corresponding Procedures
To achieve a more comprehensive transformation, many patients choose to combine their arm lifts with additional body contouring or cosmetic procedures. Commonly paired treatments include tummy tucks, breast lifts, or liposuction of other areas. The team at Zannis Plastic Surgery has extensive experience in creating personalized treatment plans that involve numerous procedures and can help advise you on what treatments they feel you could benefit most from.
Cost of an Arm Lift in New Bern, North Carolina
The price of an arm lift will vary depending on the specifics of your case, including the techniques used and whether any additional treatments are performed. After your consultation, the staff at Zannis Plastic Surgery will provide you with a detailed cost estimate. Our practice also offers financing options to qualifying patients.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Zannis to begin planning your arm lift. If you have any further questions, please call our office at (252) 633-1197.
FAQ
Will I have noticeable scars after an arm lift?
Although you will have a scar along the underside of the upper arm, we make incisions carefully to minimize the appearance of visible scarring for natural-looking results.
Can I combine an arm lift with other cosmetic procedures?
Yes, many patients opt to combine procedures to address multiple areas of the body during a single appointment.
How long do the results of an arm lift last?
The results of an arm lift can last for several years if you take good care of your body and remain at a stable weight to prevent stretching the skin.
When can I resume normal activities after my arm lift?
Most patients can return to work after two weeks, but they should avoid vigorous exercises for several weeks until cleared by our team.
Will I be able to move my arms normally after an arm lift?
Patients may experience some soreness that limits their range of motion after their arm lift. However, this will fade as you continue to heal, and you will regain your full range of motion.
References
- Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/
- ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Miotto G, Ortiz-Pomales Y. Arm Contouring: Review and Current Concepts. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;38(8):850-860. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx218