Arm Lift Surgery in Toronto
No one asks for excess sagging skin. Yet, it’s an unfortunate reality that many people face as they age. Even younger adults can struggle with skin excess, most commonly after losing weight. Life is about feeling and looking your best – why let this one thing determine both? Improved skin elasticity is possible with the right treatment. Our Toronto arm lift clinic offers several options to those looking to rid themselves of underlying supportive tissue, excess skin, and localized fat.
Arm lift surgery may sound invasive, but with plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Bell, it’s anything but. A renowned expert in the field of cosmetic enhancement, he boasts years of training and first-hand experience leading this surgical procedure. Dr. Bell isn’t just the best provider of Brachioplasty Toronto has ever seen, but one of the world’s best.
What is a Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty, also known as arm lift surgery, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from underneath the arms. This procedure can help to improve the appearance of sagging skin along the upper arm area due to aging or weight loss. During the procedure, an incision is made on the inside or back of either arm, and excess fat and skin are removed. The remaining tissue is then tightened and reshaped to give a more toned appearance.
Who is the Best Candidate for a Brachioplasty?
Most people who struggle with excess sagging skin under their arms, or ‘bat wings,’ can benefit from arm lift Brachioplasty. The question is whether that benefit squares with the health status and commitment level necessary to remove soft tissue and tighten skin with this treatment. Recovery depends on the type and extent of the lift. Generally, those in good overall health with realistic expectations about the results of Brachioplasty tend to do best. You may be an excellent candidate for the procedure if you can answer “yes” to the questions below.
- Are you in good overall health and stable weight (free from uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease)?
- Do you have loose, sagging skin on your arms that can’t be improved with exercise or diet alone?
- Are your expectations realistic for the results of the procedure?
- Are you mentally and emotionally prepared for the arm lift surgery, recovery period, and potential risks?
Arm lift surgery is a great option for those who have lost skin elasticity due to aging, weight loss, or pregnancy. It can also help remove stubborn fat deposits that don’t respond to diet and exercise alone. An arm lift and liposuction may sometimes be necessary to fully address skin excess under the arms.
Your Arm Lift Consultation with Dr. Bell
If and when you’ve decided that an arm lift surgery is the right choice for you, the next step is to have a consultation with Dr. Bell. Everyone’s meeting looks different but always covers:
Health History
Dr. Bell will confirm any medical histories and existing conditions that may affect the success of an arm lift. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity, or any other conditions must be discussed.
Discussion of Expectations and Goals
Dr. Bell will discuss your goals for the procedure with you so he can develop a plan to meet them. Addressing any questions or concerns you have will also be a priority.
Overview of Risks and Benefits
Dr. Bell will carefully explain all of the risks associated with this arm lift procedure so you can make an informed decision about this procedure, as well as outline the recovery process and aftercare instructions.
Physical Exam
Dr. Bell will take several measurements and photographs of the arms to properly analyze them before deciding which techniques are best suited for your body. He may also draw on the skin with a pen to help plan out the incision.
How Much Does a Brachioplasty Cost?
Typically, pricing for a Brachioplasty starts at $11,999. The cost of Brachioplasty surgery varies according to the breadth of cosmetic work.
How to Prepare for an Arm Lift Procedure
Arm lift surgery is a very safe procedure, and when you work with Dr. Bell, you can rest assured that you’re in Canada’s best hands. Nonetheless, there are still some best practices with the potential to make your pre and post-treatment experience even more worthwhile. Be sure to make these preparations in the weeks leading up to your appointment:
Fast for Six Hours Before Surgery
Like with many other surgeries, arm lift surgery is safest when a patient’s stomach is empty. Therefore, it’s important to cease consuming food and beverages around six hours before your scheduled procedure. Small amounts of water are acceptable.
Discontinue Aspirin
Patients must cease taking Aspirin or any medication that contains Aspirin two weeks before their procedure.
Stop Smoking
Smoking should be discontinued two weeks leading up to the procedure and two weeks after. Those who continue to smoke will have a longer recovery period and a greater likelihood of complications.
Avoid Sun Damage
Sun damage interferes with the results of the treatment and makes recovery more difficult as well. To ensure maximum success, make sure to use sunscreen when you’re outdoors in the weeks leading up to your procedure. Luckily, warmth isn’t a big factor in our Ontario, Canada clinic’s weather for most of the year.
Dr. Thomas Bell, our very own board-certified surgeon with over 25 years of experience in cosmetic surgery, uses the latest and most advanced techniques for performing brachioplasty procedures. He and the rest of the team at TPS rank among the top cosmetic surgeons in Ontario. They will meet with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and discuss all your options.
The procedure starts with basic anesthesia. This is very safe – you’ve probably received it for other surgeries in the past. Anesthesia works by temporarily blocking nerve impulses, enabling a patient to be completely numb and pain-free during the procedure.
The actual liposuction portion of the Brachioplasty is performed with small cannulas that are inserted through incisions in your arms. Removing excess skin, these cannulas will address stubborn areas by sculpting them into a newer, tighter desired shape. Dr. Bell also utilizes advanced technology to improve the contouring of your arms and further minimize any potential scarring or discomfort.
How Long Does a Brachioplasty Take?
The Toronto Plastic Surgeons can perform the procedure in approximately 3 hours. Before they are driven home, patients will receive post-operative instructions from their doctors.
Will I Have Scars After a Brachioplasty?
Arm lift surgery will always result in some degree of scarring, as soft tissue must be cut to access the underlying layers of your arm. That being said, with experienced surgeons and proper aftercare, scarring can be minimized or even avoided entirely in some cases.
Brachioplasty Recovery & Timeline
Recovery from arm lift surgery looks different from individual to individual. Following your Brachioplasty, the team at TPS will give you detailed post-operative instructions to ensure fast healing. Please keep in mind that you will be required to wear a tight-fitting compression garment for several weeks, as its presence will reduce swelling and tighten the skin. Initial discomfort is easily controlled with prescription pain medication, such as an NSAID, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
After the Surgery: Patients will be required to wear a compression garment.
Day 1-3: Patients will feel mild pain, which can be controlled through prescribed medication.
Week 1: Pain will typically subside.
Week 1-2: Stitches are dissolvable, but the bandages and drainage tubes are removed. While arm mobility is more comfortable, patients are advised to avoid stretching or heavy lifting. Patients will also be allowed to return to work and perform non-strenuous daily activities.
Week 4-6: Swelling and bruising will subside completely. Patients will also be able to resume strenuous physical activity, and the results of the procedure will become apparent.
Month 6: Scarring at the incision site should be significantly less noticeable.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Brachioplasty?
An arm lift boasts a quick recovery period, with minimal discomfort particularly when compared to other types of cosmetic surgery. It generally takes 1 to 2 weeks for patients to return to light activities after a Brachioplasty.
Benefits of a Brachioplasty
Confidence Boost
A Brachioplasty will boost self-confidence and self-worth by tightening loose skin and removing excess fat.
More Clothing Options
Sagging arms may deter some people from wearing clothes they feel comfortable in, such as sleeveless shirts. However, by restoring youthful-looking arms, a Brachioplasty can help patients feel comfortable in their own skin again.
Improved Contours
A Brachioplasty tightens the skin on the arms and improves deltoid and shoulder contours.
Decreased Irregularities
Tighter, more attractive upper arm skin will make irregularities far less apparent.
Brachioplasty Risks
Like every surgery, a Brachioplasty comes with a small chance of potential complications. The best thing patients can do to minimize the likelihood of complications is to select a trusted surgeon. Our team has years of experience performing Brachioplasty procedures. Significant complications are uncommon and are expertly managed in the rare event they occur.
Infections: Even though infections are rare, Toronto Plastic Surgeons still takes every precaution to ensure that the procedure is a smooth, seamless experience.
Adverse Anesthesia Effects: In some cases, the anesthesia used in the surgery can have an adverse effect on the patient. For this reason, TPS carefully reviews the medical history of every patient who walks through their doors.
Unexpected Scarring: The procedure may result in ruptures along an incision. In such cases, our team has methods to correct any unexpected scarring.
Nerve Damage: It is possible that a Brachioplasty procedure results in numbness or a change in skin sensation.
Different Types of Brachioplasty
There are 2 basic types of Brachioplasty:
Full Arm Lift
The incision travels in the groove between the bicep and tricep muscles along the upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow.
Mini Upper-arm Lift
The incision is kept closer to the armpit and upper arm, and the rest of the bat wing is removed and tightened using BodyTite liposuction. This scar is well concealed, and the mini arm lift is best suited for patients with mild to moderate bat wings.
Non-Surgical Brachioplasty Alternatives
Energy-based devices that are designed to tighten the skin on upper arms have become a popular alternative for those who have mild bat wings or do not want a surgical Brachioplasty. The EvolveTite is currently the world’s leading skin-tightening device, and when combined with Morpheus8 Fractional RF Resurfacing, it can effectively improve the contour and tighten the arms without the need for surgery. This non-surgical approach can achieve noticeable results.
Arm Lift for Men in Toronto
Following significant weight loss, it is common for men to be left with loose, drooping arms. This can bring about many frustrating disadvantages, ranging from an unappealing physical profile to a dramatic loss of self-confidence. In addition to the blow to a patient’s youth and vitality, drooping arms can also make it difficult to wear form-fitting clothing or sleeveless shirts.
Fortunately, a Brachioplasty procedure represents a quick and cost-efficient solution. Commonly known as an arm lift, a Brachioplasty refers to a procedure that removes unwanted fat and loose skin (bat wings) from the arms to create a slimmer, more defined appearance. A Brachioplasty can completely reshape the arms by removing excess fat and tightening sagging skin, leading to more confidence, more clothing options, and a more desirable profile.
Ranging from $11,999, the arm lift surgeons will utilize skin tightening techniques to create youthful-looking arms that effectively counter the aging process and the effects of significant weight loss. Impressively, the recovery process is relatively quick, given the extensiveness of the cosmetic work. It typically takes 2-3 weeks for patients to recover from a Brachioplasty.
A Brachioplasty procedure is intended for both men and women. However, the procedure is common in men who have lost a significant amount of weight and who want to achieve a firmer and more sculpted appearance. The procedure’s approach and the outcome are the same for both men and women. All patients can expect to leave the TPS surgical facilities with toned muscles, reshaped arms, and a revitalized appearance.
Quick Links Cost | Recovery | Benefits | Risks
Why Choose TPS for a Brachioplasty?
By utilizing the latest technology and a personable approach that is second to none, Dr. Thomas Bell will be able to ensure that the outcome of the procedure matches the patient’s expectations. Rest assured that, with TPS, you’re in safe hands before, during, and after the procedure. Dr. Bell is known as one of Canada’s top cosmetic surgeons and has performed over 5000 body contouring procedures throughout his 25+ years of practice.
Brachioplasty FAQ
How painful is it to get a Brachioplasty?
Due to the anesthesia administered during the procedure, the patient will not feel any pain during the surgery. While it is normal to experience some swelling and discomfort after the surgery, there will be no extreme or long-term pain as an arm lift is excess skin removal and there is no muscle work involved. Discomfort can be easily controlled with oral medication prescribed by TPS.
How long until I can exercise again?
This will depend on the outcome of your procedure. Typically, light walking is fine in the first 2-3 weeks, as long as you continue wearing your compression garment and don’t sit in sweaty clothes afterwards. Patients can typically resume strenuous physical activity approximately 6 weeks after their Brachioplasty procedure.
Does OHIP Cover Brachioplasty?
Cosmetic procedures like arm lift surgery aren’t covered by provincial health care plans. OHIP may be able to shoulder some of the cost if your treatment is deemed medically necessary.
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