According to Gregory Evans, president and MD of American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), “Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area,” he added further by saying, “For some women, the arms have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help refine them. Others may opt for a brachioplasty when there is a fair amount of loose skin present with minimal elasticity.”
Statistics show quite a noticeable increase
Surgeons conclude that there is no single reasons behind the increasing demand of arm lift surgery-brachioplasty and there may be an influence from the white house personalities to the Hollywood actresses that is serving as a motivation for arm lift surgeries.
A recent survey conducted on behalf of ASPS found that women admire the arms of first lady Michelle Obama, American actress Jennifer Aniston, actress, model and singer Jessica Biel and actress Demi Moore and want to have arms just like theirs.
Statistics issued by ASAP show that in 2012, 15,457 total upper arm lift procedures were performed in America and the trend of upper arm brachioplasty has increased 4,378% from 2000.
Arm lift surgery or brachioplasty
Arm lift-brachioplasty is often performed on patients who have undergone a massive weight loss and have saggy skin on arms that need contouring. The cosmetic surgery procedure removes skin that creates an appearance of extra flesh on the arms. The procedure involves an incision from the armpit to the elbow, pulling of skin, trimming away the excess skin and suturing back the incision. The procedure may include some liposuction to remove fat from the arm.
The candidacy criteria
Your surgeon is the right person to tell you if you are a suitable candidate for arm lift or not. In general, suitable candidates are:
- Adults with significantly loose upper arm skin
- Adults who do not have a fluctuating weight and are not significantly overweight
- Healthy individuals who do not have any disease that can alter the healing process
- Individuals who do not have any disease that can increase the possibility of any risk after surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with positive attitude towards life and realistic expectations from surgery
The benefits of arm lift surgery
- A thinner shape that gives an attractive contour to your arms
- Youthful appearance due to improved balance and proportion
- You can wear short sleeved clothes
- Long-lasting results
Potential risks and complications
- The surgery would make a scar on your arm.
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Wound separation
- Seroma
The results of arm lift surgery
Arm lift and all other body shaping surgeries require several months to show the full effects of the procedure.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh studied 18 patients who were opting for body shaping surgery after major weight loss. Their average age was 46 plus or minus ten years. Their body perception, quality of life and mood were studied and it was reported that the subjects were having improved quality of life and enhanced moods after surgery.