A mini arm lift, also known as a mini brachioplasty, is a suitable treatment for patients with mild degrees of skin laxity and excess fat in the upper arm. This can occur for various reasons, such as weight loss or simply ageing.
The procedure involves making a curved incision under the armpit. If a full arm lift is performed, the incision also extends down the arm to the elbow.
What are the different types of arm lift or brachioplasty?
There are three main types of arm lift or brachioplasty procedure performed at Centre for Surgery, including:
- Standard brachioplasty involves making two incisions. One incision extends from the armpit to the area just above the elbow. The second incision is made further back on the arm and also extends down to the elbow. This procedure is ideal for patients with moderate amounts of loose skin and excess fat. Once the loose skin is removed, the skin will be carefully stitched together to result in a minimal scar hidden on the inner aspect of the arm.
- Mini Brachioplasty involves a single curved incision under the armpit and is ideal for patients with mild skin laxity and excess fat in the upper arms.
- The extended brachioplasty is performed for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with substantial amounts of loose skin and excess fat which often extends onto the side of the chest. The incision is similar to a standard brachioplasty but also extends onto the chest side and is often combined with liposuction to remove excess fat cells.
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What is the difference between a mini arm lift and an arm lift?
Before deciding whether to undergo a mini arm lift, it is essential to understand the differences between the two procedures fully. Both the arm lift and mini arm lift will successfully remove excess skin from the underside of the upper arm. However, the mini arm lift removes a smaller amount of excess skin for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity. Because the standard arm lift removes more skin and fat, you will have a scar running from the elbow to the armpit. The mini arm lift will only have a scar under the armpit so that it will be far less visible.
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Am I suitable for a mini arm lift?
The best candidates for a mini arm lift are those with sagging skin on the underside of the upper arm. Whether you are a suitable candidate will depend on how much skin and fat need to be removed. Appropriate patients for mini arm lift surgery will also need to be in good physical health, have a healthy BMI, be non-smokers, stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery, and refrain from smoking throughout the arm lift recovery period. You will also need to have realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve.
Before having the procedure, you will have the opportunity to have a consultation with an expert surgeon, who will discuss your needs and preferences, take your full medical history, assess you and decide whether or not you are a suitable candidate for a mini arm lift or if a full arm lift is a better option.
What does a mini arm lift involve?
The mini arm lift will be performed under a general anaesthetic. At Centre for Surgery, we use TIVA anaesthesia. This means you are asleep throughout the whole procedure and are unable to see, hear or feel anything. TIVA anaesthesia is associated with a quicker recovery with much less risk of sickness or post-operative drowsiness compared with a traditional general anaesthetic. Once you have been given the anaesthetic, the surgeon will make an incision in the armpit. Next, the excess skin and any fat will be removed. The incision will then be closed.
In some cases, the decision may need to be extended further down the arm to remove a sufficient amount plus skin to enable effective tightening of the arm skin. Your surgeon will also use arm liposuction to remove excess fat from the upper arm. Arm liposuction can often be performed alone in patients with good skin quality, although in most cases, patients will have loose skin, and the best way to treat this is with skin excision combined with liposuction. This procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete, depending on how much excess skin and fat need to be removed. Patients will be allowed to go home later the same day to recover in the comfort of their own homes.
What can I expect from the recovery period?
After the mini arm lift, it is normal to experience some swelling and bruising around the incision site. If necessary, you can take pain medication to help manage any discomfort. You can expect to return to your normal day-to-day activities after a few days. However, you will still need to avoid strenuous physical activity for about a month after the procedure. The scar will be slightly visible but will fade over time. You will have to return for follow-up appointments. This allows the surgeon to see how your recovery is progressing and address any problems or concerns.
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How long do the results of mini arm lift surgery last?
As long as patients continue to eat healthily and exercise regularly, the results of a mini arm lift can be considered permanent. The natural ageing process will gradually lead to skin laxity, though a mini arm lift can help slow the development of loose skin over time. Patients can expect to enjoy the results of the procedure for many years before noticing loose skin developing again. For further information about arm lifts and determining the correct procedure for you, please get in touch today and book an appointment with an expert arm lift surgeon at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in London.
Can I combine a mini arm lift with other procedures?
Some patients choose to have this procedure performed at the same time as other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck, a body lift, or a thigh lift. If you wish to combine procedures, you will need to discuss this with your surgeon during the initial consultation to assess whether or not you are an appropriate candidate.
Are you interested in having a mini arm lift? Contact us today to find out more information or to book a consultation.
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