Arm lift surgery, otherwise known as brachioplasty, is a procedure that reshapes the upper arms and lateral chest by reducing excess skin and fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours. Dr Brooks’ technique differs from others in that he removes fat circumferentially with liposuction and only removes the skin. This removes the need for drains and preserves lymphatics and nerves.
An arm lift is designed to tighten the skin and improve the contour of the upper arms. The procedure tightens and smooths the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm whilst reducing localised pockets of fat. Dr Brooks will decide where to reposition the armpit crease and where the scar needs to finish at the elbow, how much skin tightening there will be, and finally where else needs liposuction on the arm, forearm, lateral chest and back.
Arm lift surgery is an individualised procedure and may not be suitable for everyone. Always talk to Dr Brooks or one of his nurses before deciding. Dr Brooks will assess your condition and general health and plan the treatment that is best suited to you
Arm lift surgery is not suitable for people who are:
Not able to have an anaesthetic
Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
Too high risk of having surgical complications
People who continue to smoke
Arm lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and arm lift techniques may be recommended.
Arm lift surgery may be a good option for you if:
You are physically well and you do not have not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
You have realistic expectations
Your weight is relatively stable
You have excess soft tissue along the upper arm region
You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking
You suffer from lipoedema
In some cases, liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. In cases where skin elasticity is poor, a combination of liposuction and arm lift technique will be recommended. Talk to your surgeon about your options. Dr Brooks uses water assisted liposuction (WAL) as it’s the gentlest form of liposuction. This method leaves behind all lymphatic channels and means there’s no long-term risk of lymphoedema or need for a post op drain.
Patients undergoing this surgery will need to wear a post op vacuum dressing on the wound for 2 weeks and compression garments worm full time for 6 weeks and night-time for a further 6 weeks.
You should be mindful that, even following good healing and good surgical results, visible and prominent scarring can develop. With the nature of arm lift surgery, you will have a scar from your elbow, up to your armpit and down your lateral chest to your bra line. However, Dr Brooks will try to position each arm scar in the least conspicuous position. Nonetheless, scars may be more noticeable than you anticipated. It is important that you have realistic expectation of the surgery and that you discuss potential outcomes with Dr Brooks. Scars take at least 12 months to mature fully.
Depending on the result of surgery and subsequent scar formation, some patients may require an additional procedure to attain their desired result. It is unlikely but not uncommon to need some revision to the scar. Scar revision, when deemed necessary, is performed at no cost however, further liposuction cannot be performed free of charge.
Cost is a very important consideration in elective surgery. Price is based on individual factors which need to be ascertained at the initial consultation with our highly experienced nurse. The most important factor to clarify is whether you qualify for the Medicare item number for arm lift following massive weight loss. If you qualify, then your private health insurance cover needs to be of a level that covers the MBS item number 30171. That means that the vast majority of the hospital fees are covered by your health fund. Please understand that we are unable to quote you before we have met you and been through the above. Surgical cost is dependent upon how long your case will take Dr Brooks, any additional procedures you require, and how much liposuction is performed in your case.
Costs associated with the procedure include:
Surgeon’s fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anaesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Post-surgery garments
Medical tests
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees
Every procedure has risks and these are individualised to the patient. We will discuss risks in detail at the time of consultation however we welcome questions and queries at any time.
Call our friendly team to get more information about your plastic or reconstructive goals
