Body Procedures
Christopher J. Davidson, MD
Fraser Medical Building
332 Washington Street, Suite 100
Wellesley, MA 02481
Phone: (781) 237-7700
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Loose and flabby upper arms are a common side effect of both weight changes and aging. Often referred to as a “bat wing,” this problem can make it embarrassing to wear short sleeves or sleeveless tops. Fortunately, it is a problem that can be simply fixed by removing the loose skin in a procedure called a brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, in Boston. People who want to improve the look of their upper arms come to Dr. Davidson from Wellesley, Natick, Framingham, and throughout the western suburbs of Boston as well as Providence, RI; southern New Hampshire; and southern Vermont.
Learn more about what makes our office the premier choice for countless men and women considering an arm lift in Wellesley, Natick, Framingham, and throughout the western suburbs of Boston. Request your consultation online, or call our office at (781) 237-7700 to set up your appointment.
During your initial consultation, you’ll discuss your problem areas and the goals you have for your arm lift. Dr. Davidson will evaluate your situation, talk to you about what you can realistically expect from the surgery, and discuss the various options available to you.
Most patients will require the standard brachioplasty, which uses an incision from the elbow to the underarm. This allows the removal of excess skin and fat throughout the entire upper arm. A minimal incision brachioplasty is another option that leaves only a small scar confined to the underarm region, but it is only useful in cases where the excess skin is thin and located near the underarm. For patients with good skin elasticity, simple liposuction may be another alternative to a full brachioplasty. Other patients opt to add liposuction to their arm lift to remove additional fat. Finally, patients with excess skin and fat along the chest under the arm can choose the extended brachioplasty, which continues the arm incision down the chest to remove that extra tissue.
An arm lift begins with the patient being put under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. Dr. Davidson will make the necessary incisions on the inner arm to keep them as inconspicuous as possible. Any liposuction will be done, then excess skin and fat is trimmed off. Finally, the incisions will be brought together and closed, and a sterile dressing and compression garment will be applied.
Dr. Christopher Davidson's patient first approach to aesthetic medicine means that every decision he makes is aimed at achieving the optimal outcome for the patient. This is apparent, not just in the beautiful, natural-looking results he creates, but also in the compassionate care he delivers through every step of the process.
A brachioplasty is normally an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be going home the same day. You will experience some discomfort, but it will be controllable with oral medication and should begin to decrease within 48 hours. There will also be bruising and swelling, which will peak around 36 hours after surgery before gradually fading over the next two weeks. The scars will be quite vivid for the first few weeks, but they’ll gradually lighten and flatten over the next nine to 12 months.
You’ll need to wear a compression garment for the first days after brachioplasty surgery to control swelling, and it’s a good idea to keep your arms elevated above your heart as much as you can. You should sleep with pillows under your arms to keep them elevated through the night. For the first four weeks, exercise other than walking should generally be avoided. After that point, you can probably resume normal activities, provided you have medical approval.
The arm lift is a safe procedure, but it does carry the same concerns as all other surgeries, including risks of bleeding, hematoma, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. In addition, changes in sensation are common for the first few months after surgery. These changes typically go away relatively quickly, but numbness can occasionally remain for a year or more.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
A. An arm lift only reduces skin on the upper arms, but it is quite possible to perform a forearm lift either on its own or in conjunction with an arm lift. The procedure is similar and involves an incision on the inner arm from the elbow toward the wrist with the length of the incision dependent on the amount of skin that needs to be removed.
A. It entirely depends on your situation. Laser skin tightening and creams are generally ineffectual, but if the excess skin is very minimal and has only recently developed as a result of weight loss, it may shrink with time naturally. Dr. Davidson can provide a professional evaluation of your situation at your consultation.
A. In theory, the amount of muscle in your arms could be surgically reduced; however, this would probably damage the functionality of your arms, so it’s not a good idea. If you have fat on top of the muscles in your arms, this could be reduced via liposuction for overall smaller arms, but there is the chance that this could result in more muscle definition than you would like. Dr. Davidson can present you with your options during your brachioplasty consultation.
A. It will help somewhat, but in order to get the maximum benefit, the incision will need to extend farther down the arm, so it’s a bit of a trade–off.
A. Any arm can be reduced via a brachioplasty, but heavier arms do make it more difficult. In some cases with larger upper arms, it may be ideal to do liposuction before the arm lift in order to remove much of the extra fat, but this needs to be decided on a case–by–case basis. Dr. Davidson can give you a thorough assessment when you meet with him.
Similar to other parts of the body, the effects of aging can leave their mark on the arms in the form of loose, hanging skin. Sometimes referred to as “bat wings,” drooping skin around the upper arms can be embarrassing and almost impossible to get rid of through diet or exercise. Apart from aging, substantial weight loss can also be a factor reason for the development of these bat wing arms. While losing weight is an amazing feeling, the flabby skin left behind is not such a pleasant sight, and can cause many individuals to avoid going sleeveless in order to hide their upper arms. An arm lift or brachioplasty is a type of plastic surgery that gets rid of the excess skin in the arms. With the help of arm lift surgery and other body contouring procedures, you can achieve a slimmer, tighter-looking body and never be ashamed to show off some skin.
An arm lift is a common procedure performed to get rid of loose and sagging skin obtained as a result of aging or massive weight loss. Others may have sagging upper arms due to the effects of aging and genetics. Sometimes an arm lift is performed in conjunction with liposuction to help and create a well-defined, trim, and toned upper arm that complements your physique. Our arm lift techniques using liposuction are very safe, and the scars can be less visible than with a traditional arm lift. During this procedure, Dr. Davidson will make a small incision near the armpit, then suction out the excess flab. This technique generally works well in those younger patients who can maintain elasticity in their skin.
In some cases, such as older patients with less skin elasticity, a larger incision is needed to remove excess hanging skin and soft tissue. While the brachioplasty scar may be longer, Dr. Davidson takes great care in using techniques so that that scar becomes less visible over time.
The best thing to do once you are ready to undergo arm lift surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Davidson. He will go over every detail of the surgery, as well as the expectations you have and your medical history. He will also prepare you for the surgery in order to obtain the best results possible. General preoperative instructions to be followed for a few days before the surgery include quitting smoking (if you are a smoker), stopping intake of certain medicines such as aspirin, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medicines, and certain vitamins and supplements that are known to increase bleeding. Dr. Davidson may also ask you to take certain supplements before your surgery to reduce swelling and bruising.
Most brachioplasty patients return to work after a week of recovery time, during which a compression bandage is worn to promote healing and reduce swelling. Patients are instructed to avoid heavy lifting and sports so as not to put stress on the healing tissues during the first few weeks, and to avoid more strenuous aerobics and upper arm exercise for at least a month. Those who stick to this regimen and continue with follow up care can experience remarkable results. Often, Dr. Davidson’s arm lift patients say they wish they had done the procedure sooner, as they are now able to enjoy wearing swimsuits and short or sleeveless tops without embarrassment.
Learn more about the benefits of an arm lift in Boston. Contact Dr. Christopher J. Davidson by calling (781) 237-7700 or request a consultation.