During the arm lift procedure, Dr. Celikkaya will make an incision, often spanning from the underarm to the elbow, along the inside of the upper arm. Next, she will remove excess fat using liposuction, and then trim and tighten the excess skin and suture it into place. For patients with only a small amount of excess skin, a minimal-incision arm lift procedure, in which a few small incisions are made near the underarm, may be performed. Dr. Celikkaya will determine which procedure is best for you after a physical exam and a discussion of your goals for surgery. Once fat is removed and skin is tightened, the incision will be closed with sutures that will be absorbed by the body within a week or two. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation and usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of removal required. Patients will be able to return home the same day as surgery.

After an arm lift procedure, patients will likely experience swelling and bruising, as well as mild discomfort that can be managed with pain medication. Drainage tubes may be placed at the incision site to collect any excess blood or fluid for the first few days after surgery. Compression bandages may be worn as well to help promote proper healing. The results of an arm lift are visible right away, but will continue to improve as swelling and bruising subsides, which usually takes two weeks. Most patients are highly satisfied with the results, and are more than willing to deal with some scarring in exchange for thin, youthful-looking arms. Scars will continue to fade over time and become less and less noticeable.

Although an arm lift is considered a safe procedure, there are certain risks associated with any type of surgery. These may include: Infection Bleeding Reaction to anesthesia Loss of sensation Scarring Permanent swelling Dr. Celikkaya will discuss these risks with you, as well as address any concerns you may have, prior to surgery.