August Procedure of the Month: Brachioplasty
Posted July 23, 2019
Put Your Arms in the Air Like You Just Don’t Care!
Have you ever heard the term “Bingo Arms”, “Bat Wings” or “Water Wings”? If you have and it hit a nerve, you are not alone. Arms can be a common source of dissatisfaction for women in the summer months as they are put out on full display. “Thick” and “flappy” arms are the two most common complaints with the majority of women who dislike the appearance of their arms.
Many women with thick arms complain that they are unable to wear certain clothes because their arms do not fit in their sleeves. They are stuck purchasing tops or dresses that are too big for the rest of their body just to accommodate their arms. The contour or shape of the arm may seem to appear overly large in sleeveless tops or bathing suits, which can also bring an increased level of self-consciousness.
The best option for correcting or improving the fullness of the arms is with liposuction. Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical center. A small incision is placed just above the elbow to allow access for a thin cannula to remove the excess fat thereby sculpting the arm to a more balanced size. One of the areas most commonly addressed is at the top of the back of the arm, behind the shoulder muscle, to help accentuate the definition of the shoulder. This procedure requires several days of downtime before returning to work and one week before you may exercise. Compression garments will be worn on the arms for 2-3 weeks after surgery.
The final results are dependent upon both the removal of fat and the natural retraction of the skin once the fat has been removed. This may result in some excess skin if the skin has lost some of its elasticity, therefore a brachioplasty may be needed as a second stage to optimize the contoured results of the arms.
“Flappy” arms are characterized by limited fatty tissue to the arms but excessive, thin, non-elastic skin. Most patients complain that their skin hangs below their arms and “jiggles” with movement. Again, clothing options may be limited as well as decreasing self-confidence during the summertime months. Unfortunately, weight loss and exercise will not improve or restore lost elasticity in the skin. The best correction option is a brachioplasty procedure which directly removes the excess skin and allows for a better, more contoured result. A brachioplasty is small procedure that can be done under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure in an accredited surgical center. Most patients can return to work in one week and may exercise in three weeks. Compression garments will need to be worn on the arms for 3-4 weeks. There is minimal to no pain post procedure and results are immediate.
A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon allows you the opportunity to learn more about a procedure you are interested in and gives the surgeon a chance to examine you and discuss the best treatment plan designed to meet your aesthetic goals.
Every person deserves to feel confident in their skin, and a liposuction or brachioplasty procedure by Bellissimo Plastic Surgery can help. A consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Antimarino is an opportunity to ask questions and have a detailed discussion. With locations in Shadyside, Monroeville, Robinson, and Greensburg, it’s easy to schedule your private consultation or a virtual consultation with Bellissimo Plastic Surgery.
