Dr. Ptak as seen Arm Lifts result in a more youthful appearance and thinner contour to the arms. They reduce flabbiness, as well as extra skin and fat, especially in the upper inner arms.

The appearance of the arm is also dramatically improved in the related folds of skin and fat on the upper chest near the armpit, which is very noticeable when the arms are at the sides. The Arm Lift will lift and tighten loose skin in the upper arms, resulting in a firm attractive contour.

Who is a Candidate?

Those who have excess skin, sagging skin, or flabby upper arms, due to age or weight loss will benefit from an Arm Lift. The surgery cannot affect muscle tone, but will affect the appearance of the skin, correcting a loose or sagging appearance.

Procedure

This procedure is generally performed under a general anesthetic to make it as comfortable for the patient as possible. An incision is made on the inner and under arm, the incision may run from the armpit to the elbow or be somewhat shorter.

If there is excess fat, it is suctioned at this time. The excess skin and fat are removed and the skin is stretched and sutured. The incision is then bandaged.

The entire procedure takes about two hours and patients usually go home the same day.

Postoperative

After the procedure there is generally moderate pain which is treated with prescription medication, but after a few days acetaminophen is likely to be all that is required.

There may be several layers of stitches, many will simply be absorbed by the body, but some may require removal by the doctor. Most patients can shower after the third day.

For the first week, strenuous activity, bending and lifting must be avoided. The mild swelling usually peaks around the second or third day. Most patients can return to work within a week, resume moderate sports activities within two weeks and more strenuous activity in a mere four weeks.