If you are unhappy with how your upper arms appear in sleeveless clothes due to excess, loose skin, then you have likely found the limits of exercise and diet. Sagging skin, often left behind after weight loss or simply due to aging, is best addressed with arm lift plastic surgery. This procedure can give your arms a more youthful-looking contour, make exercise more comfortable, help you enjoy a better fit in clothing, and increase your overall confidence.
Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Bob Basu specializes in post weight loss body contouring, and he has performed numerous arm lifts with gorgeous results. Below, he shares 6 secrets to his #BasuBeautiful arm lift results.
- Wait until your weight is stable
- Choose a surgeon with arm lift experience & advanced technique
- Be prepared for a scar
- Aim for excellent pre-surgical health
- Don’t strain your incisions during recovery
- Consider complementary body contouring, as needed, for a full transformation
1. Wait until your weight is stable
As with any body contouring surgery, an arm lift is customized to achieve results that look natural and proportional with the rest of your features. Gaining weight, in both your arms and other areas of the body, will change the appearance of your results! For results that will continue to look beautiful for months and years to come, wait to schedule your arm lift until you have reached a goal weight that you plan to maintain.
2. Choose a surgeon with arm lift experience & advanced technique
Be sure to choose a surgeon with board certification in plastic surgery, training in a range of cosmetic surgery procedures, and before-and-after photos that show technical skill; their technique will be a primary influence on your final results. Also look for a surgeon who specifically has extensive experience with arm lift. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Basu is a highly experienced body contouring surgeon who has performed over 16,000 cosmetic procedures and counting; of those procedures, he has helped numerous patients feel more confidence with an arm lift, whether needed due to weight loss or aging.
Dr. Basu’s before and after gallery shows many of his previous patients’ excellent outcomes. As you look at before and after photos, find patients whose anatomy resembles yours in the “before” photos to envision the kind of results Dr. Basu may achieve for you.
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3. Be prepared for a scar
Part of loving your results is understanding what to expect as they develop. An arm lift will leave a lengthy scar, located along the inside of the arm, usually extending from the inner elbow to the underarm. For most patients with significant skin laxity in the upper arms, the trade-off of a scar is worth gaining a more contoured, shapely arm without bothersome loose skin.
At first, the scar will appear raised and pigmented. Scars tend to fade and become a bit more camouflaged by the 1 year mark, and then continue to become less noticeable over time. After surgery, we will advise you on the best practices to care for your healing incision, plus scar care methods that can help to diminish its appearance over time.
Scars tend to fade a bit by the 1 year mark, and then continue to become less noticeable over time.
4. Aim for excellent pre-surgical health
As with any plastic surgery, you should be in excellent health with a low enough BMI to safely undergo surgery with general anesthesia. You should also be a non-smoker or willing to abstain, since nicotine (including from vaping) both increases the risk of post-surgical complications and slows down the healing process—your body’s #1 job in the weeks and months following surgery.
It can also be beneficial to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine ahead of surgery! Substitute excess refined, processed carbohydrates in your diet with nutrient-rich fresh vegetables and fruits that are high in vitamins and minerals, as well as lean sources of protein including unsalted nuts and seeds.
5. Don’t strain your incisions during recovery
While certain patients may only need 1-2 weeks away from work, those whose job requires frequent arm movement (such as nursing or hair styling) may need to take around 4 weeks away from work to allow the incisions to heal without straining. For all patients, it’s key to wait about 4-6 weeks before returning (gradually) to exercise and other vigorous activities. Dr. Basu will talk with you about what an appropriate recovery period looks like for you based on your lifestyle, and it will be critical to follow his advice to the letter in order to see gorgeous results that you love.
Pro tip: Gather loose, front-opening tops to wear after surgery
For a few weeks after surgery, you will want to avoid any extra arm movements, including lifting your arms over your head to get dressed! Prepare a line-up of loose-fitting tops that open in the front to make this everyday task easier (and safer) during recovery.
6. Consider complementary body contouring, as needed, for a full transformation
For many post-weight loss body contouring patients, the arms are not the sole area where excess, unwanted skin is present. If you are burdened with excess skin in the lower body, you may want to consider a complementary procedure, such as a body lift or tummy tuck, to fully reveal your weight loss progress and complete your transformation. In certain cases, multiple plastic surgery procedures can be combined in a single operation for one consolidated recovery.
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Bob Basu in Post Oak, Houston
Dr. Bob Basu is an accomplished, experienced plastic surgeon who is well-known for his expertise in body contouring and has been recognized as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek magazine. When you are ready to begin your journey to improved confidence, Dr. Basu is here to help you learn about your options with an in-depth personal consultation. Call 713.799.2278 or contact us online to schedule your appointment at one of our two convenient office locations, in either Houston’s Galleria/Uptown neighborhood or Cypress.
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