ARM AND THIGH LIFT
Drooping, hanging skin and fat from the upper arms or thighs is a
fairly common problem, and causes much distress to patients.
This is especially common in people who have lost significant
amounts of weight. Skin that has been previously stretched is
unlikely to return to its original, tight form after weight loss.
Exercises are rarely helpful in this regard. Liposuction can remove
remaining fat, but cannot achieve significant skin tightening.
Patients suffering from this condition are reluctant to wear
sleeveless tops or shorts because of the unsightly appearance of
their arms or legs.
The best solution
for these patients is an arm or thigh lift. There are
basically 2 types of lifts (this is true for both arms and thighs.)
Because the arm and thigh lift are very similar procedures, we will
discuss them together.
MINI ARM OR THIGH
LIFT (Arm tuck or Thigh tuck)
If the problem area
is close to the armpit or the groin, and the rest of the arm or leg
is fairly tight, this is the best option. It is a smaller surgery
than the full arm lift ("brachiopasty") and results in a smaller
semi-circular scar, which is in the axilla (armpit) in the case of
an armlift, and in the groin (where the upper leg meets the pelvis)
in the case of a thighlift.
FULL ARM LIFT (Brachioplasty)
or FULL THIGH LIFT
If there is excess
skin and fat all up and down the arm or leg, this surgery is
superior to the mini-lift. Although it is a bigger operation, and
results in a longer scar, it produces the best results. The incision
(cut) is placed in the least conspicuous place (inside of the arm or
leg) and is usually not visible with the patient's arm down or legs
together. However, the final location of the scar is somewhat
difficult to control.
Both of these
surgeries are typically done with local (tumescent) anesthesia
together with Monitored Anesthesia Care. Recovery is about a week.
There is typically some post-op discomfort, but it is not usually
severe. Because of the length of the scar, post-op numbness near the
scar area is common, but usually improves or disappears within a
year or so.
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