This type of intervention is usually requested by patients who have experienced significant weight loss, generally due to obesity treatment. In the case of arms, there does not necessarily have to have been prior obesity, but there is usually a history of weight or muscle mass loss.
First Consultation
During the first consultation, a general evaluation of your health status will be conducted, as well as an examination of your arms and/or legs, observing skin quality, stretch marks, and the degree of skin sagging present, to determine if an arm and/or leg lift is indicated in your case. Additionally, a series of measurements and photographs will be taken to plan your surgery.
- The arm lift involves the removal of excess skin and fat that appears when the patient raises their arms 90 degrees, away from the body. It is necessary to make a scar from the armpit to the elbow, which is located on the inner side of the arm to be as inconspicuous as possible.
- The thigh lift can be more or less extensive depending on the degree of flaccidity and excess tissue. When the problem only affects the inner thighs, removal can be done through an incision at the inguinal fold and inner thigh. When it is necessary to correct the entire thigh contour, a circumferential scar will be required.
Surgery and Anesthesia
The type of anesthesia for these surgeries will depend on the volume of skin removal to be performed. An isolated arm lift can be done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and sedation, while the thigh lift will depend on the expected volume of removal but is usually performed under general anesthesia. The duration of each of these procedures is about two hours. If a combination of arm and leg lifts is performed, the approximate duration will be about four hours. If general anesthesia is used, you will need to stay hospitalized for at least 24 hours.
Once admitted, we will visit your room to mark the agreed skin removal pattern on your skin. In the operating room, we will perform the removal of excess skin and fat through this pattern and proceed with skin closure. In certain situations, we may opt to place some type of drainage.
In the arm lift, there is a scar that goes from the armpit to the elbow, which we place on the inner side of the arm to be as inconspicuous as possible. In the thigh lift, depending on the volume that needs to be removed, there will be a scar in the inguinal fold that can be combined with a scar on the inner thigh or a circumferential scar.
Liposuction is usually used as an auxiliary method to improve the shape of both the thighs and arms.
You will need to wear a compression garment that will be previously indicated during the consultation and will be placed on you once the surgery is completed.
Postoperative
The postoperative period for arm and thigh lifts is not very painful and can be easily controlled with common painkillers.
The day after surgery, we will perform the first dressing change after the intervention and evaluate the drains, if they have been placed, to see if they can be removed or not.
In a few days, you will be able to return to your usual life, without exerting yourself, especially avoiding lifting weights or engaging in sports activities.
