Arm Lift in New Orleans, LA

A frustrating side effect of aging or losing large amounts of weight is having to manage loose skin. At New Orleans Plastic Surgery in Louisiana, we offer upper arm lift surgery or brachioplasty. This surgery works well for patients who have difficulty toning and tightening their arms with exercise and diet. Saggy skin from the elbow to the upper arm is very common, especially in older patients. Arm lift surgery effectively removes excess, hanging skin from underneath the arm. As a well-known, Metairie, LA surgeon, Dr. Michelle Eagan is skilled at performing cosmetic surgeries that contour the body. If you want to receive additional information about brachioplasty and how it can enhance the look of your arms, please schedule a consultation at New Orleans Plastic Surgery.

Arm lift surgery performed by Dr. Eagan can create dramatic results for both women and men with benefits that include:

• Removing excess, hanging skin
• Eliminating unwanted fat
• Tightening loose, "crepey" skin
• Toning the arms
• Creating a more youthful look
• Improving comfort and mobility
• Reducing chafing and irritation
• Providing long-lasting results
• Boosting self-image and confidence

An arm lift is a cosmetic surgery that uses advanced body contouring techniques to tighten and eliminate excess skin. If you feel tired of hiding your flabby arms and want them to appear fit and healthy again, you are an ideal candidate for an arm lift. Before undergoing this surgery, you should have good, overall health so your skin and incisions can heal properly. You should also be at or near your ideal weight. During your consultation, Dr. Eagan will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and determine if an arm lift is right for you.

Generally, an arm lift is completed as an outpatient procedure. However, if we combine several procedures, you may require additional, inpatient monitoring. Based on your needs, Dr. Eagan can combine an arm lift with a mommy makeover or tummy tuck. Taking several hours to complete, we perform arm lift surgery with general anesthesia. After administering general anesthesia, Dr. Eagan creates an incision on the inside or on the under part of your arm. Because of the nature of this surgery, you will most likely have a visible scar. However, with proper aftercare, you can reduce the appearance of your scar. If you require liposuction to eliminate stubborn fat, Dr. Eagan will perform this part of the treatment after making the incision. Next, the skin is pulled tight and stitched into place. You will need to care for the incisions by keeping them cleaned, bandaged, and supported with compression garments.

Your recovery period should last around two weeks, and it will require lots of rest. With an arm lift, you will need to allow yourself extra time to heal. You use your arms for more than you think so we encourage you to ease your way back into everyday activities. Dr. Eagan will schedule a follow-up appointment to remove sutures, which she takes out in ten days. You should wear compression garments for Dr. Eagan's recommended amount of time. For at least 4 – 5 weeks, you will also need to avoid strenuous activities; however, you should still take frequent, short walks. This will help with circulation and reduce clotting. If you experience uncontrolled bleeding, excessive swelling, fluid buildup (hematoma), signs of infection, loss of feeling in the hands or arms, or heavy scarring, please contact us right away.

Will there be scars after arm lift surgery?
A surgical arm lift needs incisions to remove excess skin, which means there will be scars from sutures. However, Dr. Michelle Eagan makes every effort to ensure that your incisions are small and placed in inconspicuous areas. After your arm lift, ointments to assist in scar healing will be suggested, along with other tips for scar care management. Dr. Eagan also suggests you limit sun exposure for at least one year to minimize scar discoloration. In general, patients consider the overall benefits of an arm lift outweigh the appearance of scars.

What results can I expect from an arm lift?
Arm lift surgery is performed to remove hanging skin and small amounts of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise to avoid a dramatic weight loss or gain, which might undo your results. As soon as you are fully healed and Dr. Eagan has given permission, you can begin strength training. This is a good way to improve the shape of your upper arms by building muscles.

Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
While there are many noninvasive skin tightening options, most will only give you mild improvements. To correct moderate to severe skin laxity, arm lift surgery is your best choice. Along with treating excess skin, Dr. Eagan also uses liposuction on small pockets of fat and smooth the tissue and remaining skin. If you're interested in learning about nonsurgical procedures, she can tell you about all possible treatments in your consultation and help you choose which is best for your needs and goals.

How much does arm lift surgery cost?
Your cost for an arm lift will be based on several factors. Before She can determine your costs, Dr. Eagan will perform a consultation to understand your concerns and goals. Following this, She will develop your surgical plan and estimate your costs. To make it easier to afford an experienced Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon like Dr. Eagan and get your best results, New Orleans Plastic Surgery accepts several payments. We can also help you find low-interest financing.

Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
It's common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes referred to as an upper body lift and can include liposuction, a breast lift, or tummy tuck. Arm lift surgery is also frequently performed in an after weight loss surgery for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and want full body contouring. In your initial consultation with Dr. Eagan, other surgeries can be discussed so your personal surgical plan matches all your needs and goals.

Are arm lifts painful?
No. Thanks to our modern equipment and experienced staff, the vast majority of our patients do not report feeling any pain or discomfort during or after their procedure. During the procedure, patients will be under an anesthetic to keep them comfortable. Afterwards, there may be some slight discomfort as the area heals, though this is usually found to be very tolerable.

If you feel embarrassed by excess skin or fat underneath the arms, Dr. Eagan can help improve your confidence with arm lift surgery. This surgery can help patients who maintain a healthy, stable weight but still have difficulty tightening the arms. We encourage you to call and schedule a consultation with Dr. Michelle Eagan at New Orleans Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Eagan will create a detailed treatment plan, discuss the costs, and determine if financing is available. Feel younger and fitter with upper arm lift surgery.