Arm lift

The aim of an arm lift is to slim the arms, tighten the skin on the arms, and remove any psychological complexes related to sagging skin on the arms. During your initial consultation, we will check the amount of fat as well as the quality and quantity of skin on your arms. The examination continues in the armpits and on the sides of the chest. In cases where the skin is not very stretched, liposuction is sometimes sufficient to correct the excess volume. If the skin is slightly or moderately loose, we can tighten it using our Renuvion technique. The Renuvion technique is a lifting technique that uses the same small incisions as those used for liposuction, which avoids leaving a large visible scar on the inner part of the arm. In cases of more significant skin sagging, an arm lift is more suitable for your situation. We will discuss this during the consultation. We will also examine your arms for stretch marks. The areas to be treated will be marked and explained to you in front of a mirror.

We will inform you about the procedure, the necessary tests, the anesthesia options, and the recovery process. An arm lift is a procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia. You will need to shave your armpits 12 hours before the operation. Finally, to promote proper healing, it is recommended that you stop smoking 21 days before and after the procedure.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and can be done under local anesthesia or deep sedation. The operation takes about 2 to 3 hours. The duration depends on the amount of skin and fat to be removed. Before the procedure, while you are standing, we will mark the areas of skin and fat to be removed. Photos will be taken to document the process. The scar will be placed on the inside of the arm so that it remains discreet during everyday movements. After disinfecting the areas, an infiltration solution is used to reduce the risk of bleeding. Liposuction of the arms is almost always performed beforehand, followed by the removal of excess skin. Absorbable sutures are used to ensure the scar is as fine as possible, although scars in this area tend to widen over time. At the end of the procedure, a compression garment is applied.

After the operation, you will wear a compression garment for 4 weeks. Post-operative pain is moderate for this type of procedure. During the first 3 weeks, you should avoid movements that pull on the scars, i.e., avoid hyperextending your arms or raising your elbows above your shoulders. Sports will be allowed after 8 weeks. You will be able to shower one week after the procedure using a special dressing. If you have an office job, you will be able to return to work three to four days after the procedure. For more manual work, this may vary between one and three weeks.

For scar treatment, we recommend specific care starting three weeks after the procedure, including creams, silicone patches, and massages. To maintain good results, it is best to avoid significant weight fluctuations after the procedure. It should be noted that the scar from an arm lift tends to widen over time and may take 1 to 2 years to fade to white.

Like any procedure, an arm lift may cause:

- bruising and swelling, which generally lasts 3 weeks, or in rare cases, fluid accumulation (seroma)
- temporary sensitivity issues, which disappear after 3 to 6 months
- healing difficulties: scar widening is common

Serious complications, such as nerve or vascular damage, are rare.