Your surgery at a glance

• Stay in Tunisia: 7 nights = 3 nights at the clinic + 4 nights at the hotel.
• Hospital stay: 3 nights (1night before + 2 nights after the surgery).
• Surgery length: 2 hours
• Anesthesia: general.
• Side Effects:   bruising, swelling, temporary numbness, temporary skin irregularity
• Risks: infection, excessive scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness, delayed wound healing
• Recovery: 1 – 2 weeks . ack to work: 1 to 2 weeks.

Information about Arm Lift Surgery Abroad

What is Arm Lift Surgery – Brachioplasty?

Arm reduction, also known as brachioplasty is a surgical procedure  to remove loose skin and excess fat  from the upper arm in order to tighten the skin and improve the shape and contour of this region of the body.

Is  Arm Lift Surgery – Brachioplasty Right For you?

People whose upper arms have a sagging appearance. It might be due to weight fluctuations, age effects or even heredity. Exercising usually improves the muscle, however, doesn’t remove the sagging skin.

An Upper Arm Lift is usually recommended when upper arm skin laxity is easily noticeable. Also, you should have a stable and not excessive weight, do not have medical conditions that could interfere in the surgery or healing process, preferably be a non-smoker and have realistic expectations about the procedure.

Your Arm Lift Surgery – Brachioplasty Consultation

During your consultation, your surgeon will ask you for a general medical history and the details of any previous surgery. Then she will discuss with you the benefits and limitations of each procedure so that you can choose the procedure that’s right for you.

Arm Lift Surgery versus Liposuction

Arm lift surgery will remove loose skin and lift the remaining skin. Liposuction will reduce fat volume. If your problem involves loose skin with poor tone, arm lift surgery will be best.  Dr.Chiraz Bouzguenda perform liposuction in conjunction with arm lift surgery.

Additional Information about Arm Lift Surgery Abroad

Preparation for Arm Lift Surgery

It is prudent to be close to ones ideal weight as the best results are achieved in patients who are the correct weight for their height.

Smokers will be asked to stop smoking 2 weeks before surgery. Aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for 2 weeks before surgery.

Your Arm Lift Operation

There are several types of Arm Lift procedures that can help eliminate loose and sagging skin in the upper arms.  The procedure that will work best for you will depend on the amount of excess fat and skin on your arms.

• If you have a small amount of fat and slightly loose skin, a simple liposuction procedure can remove the fat and tone the skin.
• For patients with moderate amounts of excess skin, a “Short Scar Brachioplasty” might be the best option.   In this procedure, short incisions are made, and scars can often be limited to the armpit area.
• For more significant cases (as you might see with dramatic weight loss after bariatric surgery), a “Full Brachioplasty” might be appropriate.  Your surgeon will discuss with you the benefits and limitations of each procedure so that you can choose the procedure that’s right for you.

The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and takes 2 hours to perform and  requires 1 night stay in hospital. During the procedure the excess skin and fat are excised leaving a short horizontal scar in the armpit connected to a long scar on the inside part of the arm extending from the armpit to the inside of the elbow region. The wounds are stitched with dissolving sutures leaving the resulting scars as hidden from view as possible. It can be performed in conjunction with liposuction if additional excess fat needs removing.

Drainage tubes are placed under the skin to collect any excess fluid that may accumulate. Dissolvable stitches used beneath the skin surface do not require removal.

The operation generally results in slimmer, smoother upper arms.

After Arm Lift Surgery

• Drains are removed following the operation when they stop draining blood or serum a few days following the operation.
• Bruising and swelling will be marked for at least two weeks.
• Moderate discomfort is common and can usually be controlled by taking pain killing tablets.
• Numbness is common, however sensation in this area should gradually return to near normal over time.
• You should expect to light to moderate bruising. This is quite normal and usually begins to settle in two to three weeks. It should be completely gone in about six weeks.
• Garments are provided to be worn following the operation and should be worn for 6 weeks post-operatively day and night.
• Most people return to work after a week, however it is recommended to avoid lifting anything for 6 weeks.

Arm Lift Surgery risks and possible complications

All surgery inevitably carries some uncertainty and risk,  however they are small and infrequent.. Brachiolplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed each year, and it can be done very safely.

• Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Hematomas may occur within the first few days after surgery or further out if the surgical site is traumatized. Small hematomas will resolve spontaneously and can be observed. Larger ones may require aspiration or drainage for optimal results.
• Seroma: Occasionally, fluid will continue to collect under the skin. If this occurs the fluid may need to be drained with a needle.
• Infection: Antibiotics will be given to you, prophylactically before surgery, and for several days after surgery to minimize the risk of infection.
• Delayed Healing or Wound Separation: In some instances, the incision takes longer to heal than normal. Cigarette smoking, poor nutrition status and a compromised immune system can all increase the risk of delayed wound healing or separation.
• Numbness: It is common to experience some numbness around your surgical site for the first few weeks. Numbness can be temporary or it may be permanent.
• Asymmetry: Your surgeon will endeavor to correct any natural differences in your body to make your arms as closely as possible and put incisions in similar locations. However, some differences are due to underlying skeletal differences that can not be fully corrected.  Also, healing can be impossible to predict in some patients which can lead to differences in final scar location and contour.
• Scarring: Your scars will actually appear somewhat worse over the first 3 to 6 months as the healing process occurs. You can expect your scars to thin and fade by the end of 12 months. However, your scars will never fade completely.

Your new look after Arm Lift Surgery / Brachioplasty

Enjoy being able to wear clothes and swimwear that they would have previously been to Brachioplasty

Arm lift surgery improves the contour and shape of the upper arm increasing patient confidence and improving self esteem.  Patients who have had a brachioplasty enjoy being able to wear clothes and swimwear that they would have previously been to embarrassed to wear.