As we age, the passage of time takes its toll in our bodies. Aside from the wrinkles and lines, other parts can deteriorate notably, such as our arms and legs.
The skin from the arm going from the shoulder to the elbow are completely fine and tight as children. It is not after the onset of puberty that changes might start showing themselves.
The skin located on the upper part of our arms will, in time, start to loosen up and hang. No longer will there be the skin tightly wrapping the muscles and bones, rather hanging flesh.
Aside from its unaesthetic looks, an awkward chaffing-like sensation occurs when moving them. The condition is colloquially known as “bat wings” for their resemblance to its namesake’s wings.
It often occurs in older women and people experiencing drastic weight fluctuations. Diets an exercise can prevent the condition but mostly in its early stages and to a certain extent.
A Brachioplasty procedure, also known as an “arm lift” is a permanent correction for this. At the end of it, the patient’ skin will be back to tightly wrapping the muscles and bones as in the days of young.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) – The Procedure
You’ll go under general anaesthesia or a combination of general and local anaesthesia. Our surgeon will evaluate how large the incision is going to be. He will determine it by checking how much skin there is hanging, the level of laxity, and the overall contour of the patient’s arms.
The incision made for Brachioplasty runs from the armpit mid-way to the elbow. In the more extreme cases, it will run all the way to the elbow itself and go up as far as over the back of the shoulder.
From the incision, the excess of skin is then excised to more natural and aesthetic size. The rest of the skin attached is then fastened around the limb, and then it moves unto the other one.
Regularly, patients looking for an arm lift believe it to be the same as liposuction of only the arm. They are different; however; liposuctions deals with more solid pockets of fat.
Nevertheless, our surgeons perform liposuction along with a Brachioplasty in some cases. Both done during the same session.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) – Aftercare
After the procedure, compression garments will assist in healing on the patient.
The patients must refrain from straining their arms for the next 20 days at least. This procedure includes activities such as driving and most house chores.
Having someone to care for you for the next month is necessary, choose someone reliable.
After two weeks, the swelling in the arm ceases, and you can start to appreciate the new contour of your arms.
Leg Lift
Likewise, a variant of the condition can present itself in the legs, in the inner thigh area. Similar to the arms’ case, an excess of loose skin sags and hangs.
Due to this, both thighs’ saggy skin rubs each other when walking, making it uncomfortable. A procedure known as leg lift corrects this as well.
Leg Lift – The Procedure
You’ll go under anaesthesia throughout the operation. As the mirror image of an arm lift, the leg lift is predictively similar.
The doctor makes a downwards incision from the median inner thigh to excise the excessive skin. Then it follows that the remained skin is fastened on around the leg.
The overall size of the incision depends on how much skin hangs loose in the area. It is placed around the crease between the thigh and groin to conceal the scar
Our surgeon can also opt for liposuction to deal with particularly solid pockets of fat. Liposuction is beneficial for outer thighs which the leg lift surgery doesn’t treat.
Leg Lift – Aftercare
Compression garments are places around the area to assist healing. In smaller cases, the patient will be able to move normally. Bigger leg lifts, however, may require an overnight stay.
Only strain the legs lightly for the following two weeks, avoid squatting and running. Physical exercise is advised six to eight weeks after and only when it is moderated. After six months, you will be completely healed.