Arm lift
Due to aging or after significant weight loss, the skin at the height of the upper arms can lose its elasticity, so that the excess skin no longer retracts / disappears.
We can treat this by means of an arm lift. During this procedure under general anaesthetic, the excess skin and fat tissue is removed. A vertical incision is made on the inner side of the upper arms (from the elbow to the armpit). If necessary, after very significant weight loss, this incision can be extended to the inside of the armpit. The scar on the inside of the arm is visible when wearing short sleeves. The result can be optimized by means of liposuction.
Wound drains can be left for a few days to drain the remaining wound fluid. These will be cared for daily by the home nurse until they can be removed.
Preparation
- You must be fasting for this procedure under general anaesthetic.
- Timely smoking cessation is very important to prevent wound healing problems.
- When taking blood thinners, you should stop them in time. Be sure to discuss this with the surgeon during the consultation.
Postoperative course
- You should wear an elastic arm stocking for 6 weeks to optimize the result. In this way, the skin will contract better and seroma formation (extra moisture production) will be reduced.
- You are not allowed to make any strenuous (sporting) efforts for 6 weeks.
- It is very important to mobilize as soon as possible after the procedure (within the pain limits), in order to prevent thrombosis, among other things.
Possible complications
As with any surgery, this procedure carries a risk of bleeding, infection or impaired wound healing. Despite the use of an arm stocking, there is still a risk of seroma formation that sometimes needs to be punctured. Furthermore, the scars on the arms tend to widen during healing.