Wrinkled, sagging skin on the upper arms can occur due to a decrease in skin elasticity with the aging process or due to severe weight loss. Sagging upper arms with excess skin and fatty tissue are colloquially known as "bat wings" or "bingo arms". The upper arms can be tightened in an outpatient operation. An upper arm lift (brachioplasty) can help restore the contour of the upper arms by removing excess skin and fatty tissue on the inside of the upper arms.
The consultation
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lüdi specializes in body contouring procedures and will be happy to advise you personally on the topic of upper arm lift in her clinic in Basel.
In an initial detailed consultation, Dr. Lüdi will take the time to address your concerns, analyze the findings together with you and advise you on treatment options. Dr. Lüdi will also explain the surgical technique and the exact incision of an upper arm lift with the help of pictures and drawings and discuss the aftercare as well as possible risks and complications with you. Dr. Lüdi will also be happy to show you before and after pictures of an upper arm lift.
On the day of surgery
On the day of the operation, Dr. Lüdi prepares a photo documentation before the operation and makes the exact markings on the upper arms. You will then be prepared for the upcoming operation and accompanied to the operating room.
The operation
The upper arm lift can be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia in our clinic's own operating room in Basel. First, the fatty tissue lying under the skin is suctioned out. Then the excess skin on the inside of the upper arm is removed in a spindle shape and tightened so that a longitudinal scar is created. At the end of the operation, a compression bandage is applied.
Immediately after surgery
After the operation, you can recover from the procedure in our beautiful patient rooms with a view of the Rhine and will be looked after by our team. After another visit by Dr. Lüdi, you can be picked up by an accompanying person and return home the same day.
The aftercare
- The first follow-up check by Dr. Lüdi takes place the very next day. The compression bandage is then replaced by a compression sleeve.
- During the first 6 weeks after surgery, you should wear the compression sleeves.
- We recommend a grace period of 6 weeks. During this time, you should refrain from sports and carrying and lifting loads over 5kg.
- Lymphatic drainage can be started from 1 week postoperatively to reduce swelling.
- Pain intensity after surgery is generally moderate and well controlled with common analgesics.
- Scar care can be started from 3 weeks postoperatively.
Risks and complications
In principle, every operation involves certain risks, but the upper arm lift is a low-risk procedure and complications rarely occur. In addition to the general risks of surgery (e.g. bruising, post-operative bleeding, infection), wound healing problems can occur in rare cases, but these usually heal without any problems. In the first few days after the operation, there may also be slight sensory disturbances due to swelling, but these usually disappear again.
Costs
The costs for an upper arm lift depend on your wishes, the type and extent of the operation, the type of anesthesia, and the materials required. During a consultation, Dr. Lüdi will put together a treatment tailored to you personally and provide you with an individual cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Ideally, a stable weight should be demonstrated over a period of at least 6 months. If you are currently striving for further weight loss or if the ideal weight has not yet been reached after bariatric surgery, we recommend waiting with the operation, as a renewed significant weight reduction could again lead to sagging skin on the upper arms.
Slight pain and a feeling of tension after the operation are normal. These can usually be well controlled with common painkillers and are absolutely bearable.
Depending on the activity, an inability to work of 1 to 2 weeks must be expected.
After the upper arm lift, we recommend refraining from sports for six weeks and slowly increasing the activity again after this break. Furthermore, the arms should not be lifted above horizontal during the first 3 to 4 weeks to avoid tension on the wounds.
Yes, there is a fine scar on the inside of the upper arm, but it is barely visible from the back and front after healing.
An upper arm lift is usually performed only once in a lifetime and lasts accordingly long. Of course, large weight fluctuations can cause sagging skin on the arms again, but this is usually not comparable to the initial findings.
Dr. med. Simona Lüdi will be happy to receive you for a personal consultation for an upper arm lift in our clinic in Basel. We look forward to seeing you.