Tone Up Your Arms with an Arm-Lift!

Just in time for summer, Dr. J. Peter Rubin of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia explains how a brachioplasty procedure can reduce the loose skin on your arms, giving you the confidence to wear sleeveless clothing styles once again.  If  you’ve lost weight and are looking to improve the appearance of your upper arms, find out how this procedure can improve your looks while boosting your self confidence.

By: J. Peter Rubin, MD
and Adam McMillon
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com 

You’ve heard about a face-lift, but what about an arm-lift?

A brachioplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at tightening the skin on the upper arm following weight loss, or to repair damage done by decades of gravity’s constant pull. Over the past decade, arm-lift procedures have increased by 4,378%:  In the year 2000, 300 procedures were performed, compared to more than 15,000 procedures last year. Why the dramatic increase? “Women are paying more attention to the look of their arms,” says Dr. Rubin. “We’ve realized the benefits of removing some skin and fat to both lessen inconvenience in physical activity and improve appearance.” With the rise of weight-loss surgery comes the increase of patients who have loose skin in their arms; a brachioplasty complements weight-loss procedures by removing and tightening the skin.

The trade-off for great looking arms…

There is a trade-off for the great results achieved by a brachioplasty, and it comes in the form of a large scar. In order to tighten the skin after fat and loose skin removal, doctors must stitch that skin back together, which causes a large scar on the inside of the arm. “For patients considering this procedure, they must understand that there is a significant scar,” says Rubin. “The scar is the trade-off for removing the excess skin. In time, the scar heals quite well, but it takes about a year for it to fully heal.” While the scar may be daunting to patients, “this procedure has a high degree of patient satisfaction,” notes Rubin.

How can I get the best scar possible? Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon!

While the brachioplasty procedure does involve a large scar, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brad Calobrace utilizes a new technique that puts the scar in a better position. His findings show that not only is the location better, but because it’s in an area with thicker skin, the scar heals much better and is less noticeable.  Make sure you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who not only knows how to perform the procedure, but how to creatively improve it with a proven track record.