Dr Cope performs the arm lift (brachioplasty) procedure by removing loose skin with or without liposuction to improve the contour of the upper arm.
If incisions are necessary, they are usually created in your armpit to hide them, or for significant amounts of excess skin, the incisions are made along your inner arm.
The arm lift (brachioplasty) involves a day surgery procedure performed under general anaesthetic*.
*Most patients return to work and daily activities within 7-10 days after the surgery. To reduce swelling and bruising, compression garments need to be worn for a few weeks. Strenuous activities and contact sports should be avoided for one month.
*Note results may vary from person to person
The benefits of an arm lift (brachioplasty)
Undergoing this surgical procedure can give you the following benefits:
- Improved contour of the arms
- More clothing options
Potential candidates
During your initial consultation, we will first assess your general health and expectations. We will then create a customised treatment plan specific to your needs. In general, you are a potential candidate for brachioplasty surgery if:
- You are committed to living a healthy lifestyle after the surgery.
- You don’t have a medical condition that can delay healing or increase your risk of complications.
- You don’t smoke.
- You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations.
- You have a stable weight.
- You have excess or loose skin in the under part of your upper arms due to ageing or significant weight loss.
Arm lift (brachioplasty) cost in Sydney
The total cost of an arm lift may vary since every patient has a different treatment plan. When planning to have the surgery, you should consider the following factors:
- Anaesthetist’s fee
- Hospital fee
- Surgeon’s fee
- The cost of medical tests, medications, and other equipment
- The extent of the surgery
- The type of arm lift
As this is usually deemed a cosmetic procedure, costs may not be covered by Medicare or private health insurance. However, occasionally this procedure may attract a Medicare number, in which case private health may cover some of the costs. Before having the surgery, it is recommended to clarify coverage questions with your insurance provider.
During your initial consultation, we will provide you with an accurate estimate of the total costs of your procedure.
Post-op instructions
After the surgery in one of our Sydney clinics, Dr Charles Cope will provide you with specific instructions to help you recover faster. These include the following:
- Keep the compression bandages on and keep the area clean and dry until the first post-operative visit.
- Keep your arms elevated as much as possible for the first couple of weeks, using pillows and cushions. This will reduce the swelling and help the swelling to go away as fast as possible
- Rest as much as possible following surgery though gentle exercise like walking is advised even if it is just around your home
- Report any unusual signs and symptoms to your health care provider immediately.
- Take the prescribed medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
On the day of your surgery, Dr Cope will mark the areas in your arm that need to be improved. You will then receive an anaesthetic to prevent discomfort. Using the marks made on your arm, Dr Cope will create incisions in these areas. To reshape your arm, he will use liposuction to remove the fat and the excess skin will also be removed. Dr Cope will then pull your skin tight and make necessary adjustments to tighten the area. The incisions will be then closed with stitches. Once closed, Dr Cope will place sterile dressing on the incision sites.
This procedure will cause permanent scars on your inner arms, the quality of which is variable. If Dr Cope removed a large amount of fat and skin from your arms, noticeable scarring may occur. In less severe cases, liposuction may be enough to improve the appearance of your arms. This will only need a small incision, resulting in smaller scars.
As it is with any major surgical procedure, an arm lift has its risks and complications. These include the following:
- Bleeding
- Changes in skin sensation
- Damage to the muscles, blood vessels, or nerves
- Delayed wound healing
- Fluid build-up under the skin
- Infection
- Poor results
- Severe pain
- Severe redness and swelling
- Skin irritation
To achieve optimal results and ensure patient safety, we use the most advanced surgical techniques and equipment during the procedure. Our vast experience in arm lift procedures allows us to deliver safe and effective results.
The recovery time may vary from patient to patient. This will depend on your skin condition and the extent of your surgery, but most patient return to work after 10 days. In general, you will need to rest for three to four weeks before strenuous activities such as sport.
Yes, it can be combined with other procedures to achieve better results, the most common being breast surgery. Another advantage of doing this is that you will only have to go under anaesthesia once. Depending on the number of procedures you had, you may need a longer downtime.
To improve comfort, you should sleep on your back and elevate your arms with a few pillows. This helps prevent tension on the incision lines.
The results may vary from patient to patient. This will depend on the type of arm lift you had and how you care for the operated areas. In general, scar healing can take twelve months or even more. As the scars lighten, you will begin to see the final results of brachioplasty surgery.
The results of an arm lift are permanent and long-lasting. However, your arms will age naturally, which can cause sagging or loose skin to reappear. In addition, significant weight fluctuations can also have an impact. This is the reason why you need to commit to a healthy lifestyle after the surgery.
*note results vary from person to person
