subject: What Can I Do With My Flabby Arms? [print this page] Do I Need Surgery? Do I Need Surgery?
Well.flabby arms is certainly not a medical issue that needs correcting, however, having flabby arms may be causing you enough negative self-esteem that you should get them reshaped.
What Is Arm Lift Surgery?
Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, is a procedure which tones and tightens the muscles in the upper arm, to alleviate the sagging and dropping that often occurs in this area. It is a very popular surgery as this area of the arm is difficult to respond to exercise.
An arm lift procedure takes one to three hours depending on the specific procedure. You will be given either local anesthesia along with IV medication or the procedure will be performed under general anesthesia. You and your surgeon will decide what is best for you.
The surgeon will start the procedure my making an incision. The location and length of the incision depends on the exact amount of work you are having done. For minimal work, the incision is usually located under the armpit. For a more extensive procedure, the incision may be on the underside of the arm running from the elbow to the armpit. Plastic surgeons try to minimize scarring as much as possible by hiding the incisions so they are not obviously visible.
After the incision is made, the surgeon will remove any excess fat through liposuction if necessary. Then the underlying tissues and muscles will be tightened up by stitching them together, relocating and reshaping them. The skin will then be replaced over the newly shaped muscles and any extra skin will be trimmed away. The incision is then closed up with stitches. The stitches will either be removed in one to two weeks or will be absorbed.
Your doctor will guide you as to what follow-up you need. You may need to wear a compression bandage to help ensure that everything stays in place. You will also notice swelling and bruising, but that should only last about a week. There will also be some moderate discomfort after your procedure. Be sure to have some sleeveless shirts on hand to wear for a few days after your surgery.
Before any of this takes place, you will have a consultation with your plastic surgeon to plan your entire procedure. You will plan your pain control methods, but during and after the surgery, you will discuss what you will need for recovery and what your recovery time line will be and you will talk about your desired outcome.
As long as you follow your surgeons recommendations and keep your weight stable, your arm lift procedure will have a permanent result.
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