You may not be happy with how you look after excessive weight loss weight-loss surgery if you have extra folds of tissue under your arm. These extra skinfolds may cause problems such as: general discomfort, inflammation, and rash that can lead to an infection, and poor hygiene. If skin elasticity is good, liposuction alone may help to reshape the arm by removing excess fat.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health. If you have certain health issues, the risks of the surgery might not be worth it. Your surgeon will also want to make sure that you have a realistic idea of the results of the surgery. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your expectations. You will also need to commit to a healthy lifestyle. If you lose weight after your surgery, you may get new areas of sagging skin. If you gain a lot of weight after your brachioplasty, it can harm your weakened skin. This can cause stretch marks and wide scars. 

Brachioplasty procedures are performed at the Centurion Day Hospital under general anaesthesia and may be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures. The surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. We advise that you stop smoking two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. This will help expedite your recovery period and encourage better healing on cellular level and to avoid unforeseen complications. Smoking greatly increases the risk for complications and may delay your surgery. After your consultation you will be provided with a personalised quotation based on the recommendation of your surgeon. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days.

Brachioplasty procedures can take between one and two hours in theatre, depending on the extent of work required. The surgeon takes out areas of extra tissue from under your upper arm. and make a cut on the inside or back of your arm. He or she will remove extra folds of skin and fat followed by suturing the tissue that is left back together. This creates a smoother contour and may also improve muscle tone in your upper arm. Small drain tubes may be placed in each arm to drain off bloods and fluids to avoid build-up under the incision while the area is healing.

You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a few days after surgery, but you will be able to mobilise post-operatively. You should be able to return to work within two to three weeks, depending on the level of activity required. The first follow-up appointment usually takes place seven days after surgery with a second to follow after six weeks The Sister will tell you how much you can move after surgery and how to care for your incisions. It’s normal to have a little fluid drain from the incision site. It is important to remember that the scars are extensive and permanent.

Compression garments may be recommended during your recovery to help reduce fluid retention and shape your trimmer arms. Results can be long term, but as per some of the other procedures weight loss/gain or natural aging may alter your appearance. You will see the results of your Brachioplasty right away. They will last as long as you keep a stable weight.