Brachioplasty, or shoulder lift, is an operation aimed at removing hanging excess flabby, wrinkled skin and fatty tissue from the proximal upper extremities - the shoulders. First of all, this operation is indicated for those patients who have lost significant weight in a short period of time. In this case, the overstretched skin of the shoulder does not have time to shrink adequately to the lost weight and hangs from the shoulder like an ugly bag, like long-washed curtains. And since it is impossible to "train" the skin, spending months in the gym in the hope of tightening this area is a waste of time and effort.
The second main indication for this operation is age-related changes in this area, which also lead to sagging skin excess and you can forget about open evening dresses, as if they were your youth. But, fortunately, these problems can be surgically corrected.
It should be borne in mind that a postoperative scar in the form of a thin strip on the inner side of the shoulder runs from the elbow bend to the armpit, in some cases slightly capturing the mid-axillary line of the chest. For those patients for whom this point is important, you need to get a detailed consultation with a plastic surgeon. In some cases, brachioplasty is combined with shoulder liposuction as a stage of the operation.
Results of the operation
Tight, firm skin on the shoulders
The perfect sporty shoulder silhouette
The ability to wear open clothes in summer and confidence on the beach
Eliminate hygienic problems associated with excess skin
Work examples
Operation time
2-3 hours
Anaesthesia
General
Inpatient
1 day
Rehabilitation
7-14 days
Result.
Toned, beautiful shoulders
Why you should do it
- Stretched, sagging skin on the shoulders
- Age-related changes in the soft tissues of the shoulder
- Hygienic problems associated with excess skin on the shoulders
- Conditions after bariatric surgery
- Wings you don't need
Contraindications.
- Severe somatic diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Conditions after breast resection (mastectomy)
- Condition after resection of axillary lymph node packages
- Infectious skin disease in the operated patient in the acute stage
- Obesity of III-IV degree
- Predisposition to keloidosis
Preparation
You must quit smoking 4 weeks before the operation
3 weeks before the operation, you must undergo tests prescribed by your doctor
Stop taking medications that affect the blood clotting system
Achieve stabilisation of body weight within the range of up to 10% for the last 2-3 months (optimally 6 months)
The patient comes to the clinic, signs a contract and pays for the operation
Photographs are taken to compare the results
Operation.
Preoperative marking is performed to determine the future contour of the shoulder
General anaesthesia is performed
An elliptical incision (in some cases, "T" shaped) removes excess skin
Sometimes an additional stage of liposuction is required
Cosmetic sutures are applied to the skin
An aseptic dressing is applied
Tight elastic bandaging is performed
Stages of the operation
- Inpatient period 1-2 days
- On the second day after the operation, compression garments are provided
- Sutures are removed 7-10 days after surgery
- Restriction of physical activity for 1-2 months (depending on the scope of the operation)
- Wearing compression garments for a month after surgery
Popular queries
How visible are scars after brachioplasty?
Incisions cannot be avoided during brachioplasty. The larger the incision, the larger the scar. With a full arm lift, the scar stretches from the elbow to the armpit. The incisions are made on the inner surface of the arm to hide the scar from the eyes of others.
When can I do sports after surgery?
Already 2 months after the operation, you can fully resume physical activity.
What are the inevitable negative effects after surgery?
Immediately after the operation, the patient feels stiffness in the arm, as the stitches and fresh incision limit its mobility. There is usually no pain, as the patient is immediately prescribed painkillers. There may be some swelling of the hand, which disappears over time.