Losing a significant amount of weight is a major achievement, whether it happened through diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or a combination of both. But for many patients, that success comes with some unexpected side effects like loose, hanging skin on the upper arms that no amount of strength training can tighten. If you’ve noticed excess skin swinging beneath your arms, you may be wondering whether an arm lift can help you achieve the strong, sleek arms you want.
Dr. Michael Cash at Nashville Plastic Surgery frequently works with patients in exactly this situation. To learn more about an arm lift to help correct loose skin after weight loss, call our Nashville office at (615) 454-2271 or complete our online consultation form, and let’s get started!
Why Won’t Loose Arm Skin Go Away on Its Own?
Our skin only has a certain amount of elasticity, thanks to collagen and elastin fibers that allow it to stretch and, to some degree, snap back. But when skin has been stretched for a long period of time, like it is when carrying excess weight, those fibers become damaged. After major weight loss, the skin often can’t retract to match your new, smaller body.
This is especially true of the skin on the upper arms, which tends to be thinner and less elastic than skin elsewhere on the body. Factors like age, genetics, sun exposure, and the amount of weight lost all play a role in how much skin laxity remains. Unfortunately, exercise can build the muscle underneath, but it cannot remove or meaningfully tighten loose skin. For many patients, surgery is the only reliable way to address it.
What Does an Arm Lift Actually Do?
An arm lift, medically known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess, sagging skin from the upper arm and reshape the underlying tissue for a smoother, more toned contour. During the procedure, Dr. Cash makes an incision, typically along the inner or back portion of the arm, from the underarm toward the elbow. He uses this incision to remove excess skin and, when needed, stubborn fat pockets. The remaining skin is then tightened and re-draped over the new arm contour.
The length and placement of the incision depend on how much skin needs to be removed. Patients with a moderate amount of excess skin may be candidates for a shorter incision limited to the underarm area, while those with more significant skin laxity, often following major weight loss, typically need a longer incision that extends closer to the elbow to achieve a smooth result.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Nashville Arm Lift?
Arm lift surgery tends to be a good fit for patients who:
- Have reached a stable, healthy weight and have maintained it for several months
- Have loose, hanging skin on the upper arms that doesn’t respond to exercise
- Are in good general health and don’t smoke, or are willing to quit prior to surgery
- Have realistic expectations about scarring and recovery
Weight stability is particularly important. Brachioplasty removes excess skin based on your current arm size, so any significant weight fluctuations after surgery can affect your results. Dr. Cash will evaluate your goals, skin quality, and overall health during a consultation to determine whether an arm lift or a combination of procedures is the right approach for you.
What About the Scar From an Arm Lift?
This is one of the most common questions patients bring to Dr. Cash, and it’s a fair one. Because an arm lift involves the removal of a significant amount of skin, it does leave a scar along the inner arm. Dr. Cash uses meticulous closure techniques to make the resulting scar as thin and inconspicuous as possible, and it’s typically positioned so that it’s easy to hide with everyday clothing. Over the course of about a year, most arm lift scars fade significantly and become less noticeable, though they never disappear entirely.
For most patients who have struggled with loose, uncomfortable skin, a visible but well-placed scar is a welcome trade for arms that finally match the rest of their new body.
Can An Arm Lift Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Significant weight loss often leaves excess skin in more than one area, which is why many patients choose to combine an arm lift with other body contouring procedures, such as a thigh lift, lower body lift, or breast lift. By combining procedures, you can experience less overall downtime and one recovery period instead of several, though this depends on each patient’s individual health and goals. Dr. Cash can help you decide whether combining procedures makes sense for your situation, or whether it’s safer to stage your surgeries over time.
What Can You Expect From Recovery After an Arm Lift?
Recovery from brachioplasty typically involves wearing a compression garment on each arm for several weeks to minimize swelling and support the new arm contour. Most patients take about 1 to 2 weeks off work, depending on the physical demands of their job, and are advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous arm movements for several weeks while the incisions heal. Swelling and bruising gradually subside over the following weeks, with final results maturing as the tissue settles and scars begin to fade.
Ready to Learn More About an Arm Lift in Nashville, TN?
If loose skin on your arms is holding you back from feeling fully confident in your post-weight-loss body, an arm lift with Dr. Michael Cash may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Every patient’s skin, goals, and anatomy are different, which is why Dr. Cash takes the time to create a customized surgical plan for each person he sees.
To learn more about how an arm lift can correct loose skin after weight loss, call our Nashville office at (615) 454-2271 or complete our online consultation form today!