Arm Lift Colombia

IMPROVE UPPER ARMS CONTOUR WITH AN ARM LIFT COLOMBIA

The arm lift Colombia (brachioplasty) removes loose skin and fat from the upper arm. It ranks high on the wish list for many plastic surgery patients who have lost large amounts of weight. It’s also popular with people who have heavy upper arms due to simple genetic factors.

Upper arm tissue relaxes and descends as a result of ageing, gravity, and weight loss. The drooping of skin is from a stretching of the anchoring fascial system and loss of supporting fat. The extra sagging can result in a significant “loose hammock” like deformity from the underarm area (axilla) to the elbow. Loose skin hanging from the arms tends to make patients self-conscious and limits clothing options. It can even cause people to avoid certain activities, like swimming.

There are different degrees of ptosis (drooping). Brachioplasty (arm reduction surgery) can remove the excess tissue and reduce the circumference of the upper arm. Surgical correction depends on the amount of extra skin and how loose the supporting tissues have become. Extra skin is removed from incisions placed along the inner arm or in the axilla. The incision must be placed where the tissue can be best tightened.

AN ARM LIFT COLOMBIA:

• Reduces excess sagging skin and fat and that droops downward between the underarm and the elbow
• Tightens the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm to result in smoother skin and contours
• Reduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region
• Results in a more toned and proportionate appearance

IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?

IN GENERAL, CANDIDATES FOR AN ARM LIFT COLOMBIA INCLUDE:

• Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity
• Adults of any age whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweight
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations

Candidates for brachioplasty are often weight loss patients who shed dozens—even hundreds—of pounds, resulting in excess skin and stray fat deposits. Post-bariatric patients should be near their desired weight and well nourished. Men or women with loose upper arms courtesy of heredity and aging may also be interested in brachioplasty. For proper healing, it’s best not to smoke.

Having worked with hundreds of weight loss patients, we’ve done many arm lifts. We use a variety of techniques, choosing the best approach for each patient’s particular needs. Body contouring is one of our specialties.

YOUR ARM LIFT COLOMBIA CONSULTATION AT PREMIUM CARE PLASTIC SURGERY

When you come to our plastic surgery center in Cartagena for your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you the status of your body and your desires for improvement. Your surgeon will also assess your skin for elasticity, provide you with complete physical examination, and evaluate your past medical history. This process is essential for establishing you as a candidate for arm lift surgery.

Your surgeon can recommend certain steps to help you achieve optimal health for your procedure. The Premium Care Plastic Surgery team will also coordinate with your medical doctors to define the steps necessary for you to obtain medical clearance for surgery. Our team also provides access to their specialists in nutrition and exercise physiology to optimize your chances for success, and for a healthy lifestyle and more beautiful you.

BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Previous surgeries
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, and tobacco

YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON WILL ALSO:

• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of liposuction and any risks or potential complications

Be sure to ask questions. It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your arm lift procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your Premium Care plastic surgeon. The entire Premium Care staff is here to support you through your journey to a new you.

If you’re ready to meet with our plastic surgeons at Premium Care Plastic Surgery in Colombia, you can request a consultation online or contact us at (+57) 312 545 5569 in Cartagena and (+1) 305 848 1909 in United States.  You will be amazed about how affordable cosmetic plastic surgery can be, and with an experience like no other!

PREPARING FOR ARM LIFT COLOMBIA  SURGERY

Premium Care Plastic Surgery encourages you to take a few simple steps in preparation for your arm lift procedure. Following the steps presented below will make your recovery from surgery as safe, short and relaxing as possible.

Your surgeon will provide you with a list of specific steps you should take leading up to your procedure. This list might include limiting your use of certain medications, alcohol and cigarettes, and minor changes in your grooming habits. These changes are temporary but very important to your comfort and safety.

BEFORE ARM LIFT SURGERY, YOU MAY BE ASKED TO:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS YOU RECEIVE WILL COVER:

• What to do on the day of surgery
• The use of anesthesia during your arm lift
• Post-operative care and follow-up
• Medications and compression garments to purchase and bring with you on the day of surgery

Preparing your home before your procedure will help ensure a safe and relaxing recovery. If your procedure will impact your ability to stand or walk for long periods, or reach high places, you may want to prepare meals in advance and move kitchen items out of cupboards and onto the counter. Having a phone, medications and other necessities on a night stand or side table will keep you from having to get up and down. Having extra pillows and blankets already on your bed or couch can also keep you comfortable. If you have pets or children, you should make sure someone is available to care for them while you are recuperating.

On the day of your surgery, we ask that you wear no jewelry or make-up and avoid deodorant, skin lotions and perfume. We recommend warm, loose fitting clothing, such as pajamas or sweat pants with thick socks or slippers to prevent the chills commonly experienced after surgery. Please inform your surgeon if you have a cold, sore throat, active allergies or an open cut or sore on the day of your surgery.
Most of our patients will be able to go home the same day they undergo arm lift. It is important to make arrangements in advance for someone to drive you home and provide watchful care during the first 48 hours after surgery.

You’ll need help. Arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery. Effective planning prior to undergoing arm lift can make your recovery as brief and relaxing as possible.

If you are want to pursue an arm lift Colombia at Premium Care Plastic Surgery in Colombia, or simply want more information on these transformational procedures, please call us at (+57) 312 545 5569 in Cartagena (+1) 305 848 1909 in United States or schedule your consultation online.

ARM LIFT COLOMBIA TECHNIQUES

Each patient is unique in terms of skin laxity and other factors. Patients may benefit from one or a combination of these techniques.

ELBOW TO AXILLA

The most common incision extends from the inner elbow to the axilla, or armpit, and often yields dramatic improvement. This permits the excision to maximally address redundant skin in the middle of the arm. Modification of the incision may be necessary for optimal results. This approach is frequently combined with liposuction to eliminate stubborn fat pockets and loose skin. Most brachioplasty candidates choose this method.

Surgical sculpture involves not just the superficial skin, but also the deeper attachments that have loosened. Patients who have gained and lost large amounts of weight are the best candidates for this procedure.

LIPOSUCTION ONLY

Patients with minimal skin elasticity may opt for liposuction only. An advantage to this approach is that scarring is minimal. The right candidate can expect significant improvement, but not as dramatic as when skin is removed as well.

MINI-ARM LIFTS

A mini-arm lift is an option for patients with excess skin in the uppermost portion of the arm, and for those concerned about scarring. In this case, we make an incision in the armpit, sometimes extending a few inches down the arm.

ARM AND AXILLARY LIFTS

Upper arm skin is thin and sags over time. Some people lose so much elasticity that skin hangs down from their armpits as well, causing embarrassment and difficulty with clothing. These patients are candidates for a combination arm lift/axillary lift with incisions on the upper arm and in the armpit.

ELBOW LIFT

A smaller group of patients have loose skin above and below the elbow. These men and women benefit from an arm lift and an elbow lift. We take great care with the incision across the elbow to remove excess skin while preserving range of motion.

ARM LIFT COLOMBIA PROCEDURES STEPS

STEP 1 – ANESTHESIA

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

STEP 2 – THE INCISION

Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and quality of excess skin to be removed, as well as the best judgment of our plastic surgeons. Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm, and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow. If fat is to be reduced during your arm lift, it will be excised or treated with liposuction. Then, underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm.

STEP 3 – CLOSING THE INCISIONS

Your incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures, and small drains may be left in place to get rid of excess fluid after surgery.

STEP 4 – SEE THE RESULTS

The smoother, tighter contours that result from brachioplasty are apparent almost immediately following your procedure, although initial results will be somewhat obscured by swelling and bruising. Your new, shapely and toned upper arm is dramatically improved both in appearance and feel.

For more information on arm lift  Colombia surgery, request a consultation online or call us at (+57) 312 545 5569 in Cartagena and (+1) 305 848 1909 in United States.   Premium Care Plastic Surgery in Colombia is able to offer some of the best prices on cosmetic plastic surgery procedures available, and with world-class quality and an experience like no other.

ARM LIFT  COLOMBIA RECOVERY

Following your surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect. Initial healing usually occurs in 10-14 days. Swelling and bruising gradually disappear over 3-4 weeks. All swelling is gone in 3-6 months. The scars fade in 6-24 months depending on your skin.

YOU WILL BE GIVEN SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT MAY INCLUDE:

• How to care for the surgical site and drains
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Most of our arm lift Colombia patients take a week off work after surgery. We will encourage you to walk as soon as possible, gradually adding light activities over a few days and resuming full workouts and lifting within six weeks.

RISKS

Complications resulting from arm lifts have been rare in our experience. These uncommon risks include infection, slow wound healing, bleeding, seroma and venous blood clots. Even if a complication were to occur, diligent post-operative care would still likely lead to a nice result.

LONG LASTING RESULTS

The smoother, tighter contours that result from brachioplasty can dramatically improve both appearance and feel. The results of arm lift surgery will be long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

BE CAREFUL

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery and minimizing arm lift complications. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing in order to minimize the side effects of surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

When you are ready to improve the contour of your arms, don’t settle for anything less than state-of-the art techniques that get beautiful results. Find out if you are a candidate for an arm lift in Colombia at Premium Care Plastic Surgery. Then call us at (+57) 312 545 5569 in Cartagena and (+1) 305 848 1909 in United States or use our convenient online form to request a consultation at our office conveniently located in the heart of Bocagrande,Cartagena.

ARM LIFT COLOMBIA: WORDS TO KNOW

• Arm lift: A surgical procedure, also known as brachioplasty, to correct sagging of the upper arms.
• Axilla: The underarm area.
• Brachioplasty: A surgical procedure, also known as arm lift, to correct sagging of upper arms.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
• Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Liposuction: Also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, this procedure vacuums out fat from beneath the skin’s surface to reduce fullness.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Skin laxity: Degree of loose skin.
• Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.

ARM LIFT COLOMBIA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is the scar?
The scar runs posteriorly along the arm from the elbow to the underarm to best hide the incision. The incision may be continued into the underarm and possibly into the upper back, if extra skin extends into those areas.

How long will it take for my scar to heal?
Most healing takes place during the first several weeks, but the incision continues to heal for at least 12 months following surgery. During this time, the incision will change from a reddish pink to a lighter pink to nearly natural skin color. There are scar management techniques that can improve the final appearance of the scar. A scar management program is started after the incision has healed for three to four weeks and is continued for two months.

Is liposuction done as well?
Yes, liposuction is almost always done with an arm lift. The purpose of the liposuction is to reduce the volume of arm fat prior to excising skin.

Who is a good candidate for an arm lift?
Patients who have redundant skin with poor skin quality are good candidates for an arm lift. Usually these are patients who have experienced massive weight loss, but they can also be those whose genes dictated excessively bulky arms.

How long does the surgery take?
The surgery for an arm lift takes about three to four hours, depending on the amount of skin removal and liposuction required. Our plastic surgeons often work together in order to decrease operating times and surgical risk. It is done under a general anesthetic and the post-operative recovery is not significantly painful or uncomfortable.

When can I return to normal activities?
Most patients can return to work in seven to ten days, as long as his/her job does not require a lot of physical activity and exertion. A compression garment is usually worn for the first two weeks following surgery in order to reduce post-operative swelling.

If a patient’s work is physically strenuous, they may not be able to return to work for two to six weeks, depending upon the exact nature of his/her job. Although patients may drive a car approximately five to seven days after surgery, formal exercise regimens should not be resumed for six weeks.

Can other procedures be done at the same time?
Yes, other procedures can be done at the same time. Procedures that are often combined with arm lift surgery include breast lifts, tummy tucks and additional areas of liposuction. We operate together, which gives patients extra skill and expertise when it counts most, resulting in decreased operative times and better results.

For more information on arm lift Colombia, request a consultation online or call us at (+57) 312 545 5569 in Cartagena and (+1) 305 848 1909 in United States.