Before diving straight into an evaluation of arm lift before and after photos, it’s important to understand what an arm lift (also known as brachioplasty) actually is.
Essentially, arm lift surgery is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms — sometimes called having “bat wings”. Typically, these issues result from a patient undergoing significant weight loss. The skin is stretched during the weight gain phase and remains stretched even when fat is lost. With that said, excess arm skin can also result from simple genetics, the process of aging, weight fluctuations with pregnancy, or potentially other reasons.
The goal of brachioplasty is to create a more toned and contoured appearance on the upper arms. If you are interested in this surgery, you’ll be bound to look at arm lift surgery before and after photos as you evaluate potential surgeons. As you do this, we invite you to keep the following in mind.
How to Evaluate Arm Lift Before and After Photos
1. Look at photo quality.
The first step in assessing arm lift before and after photos is to evaluate the quality of the images. High-quality photos should be clear and well-lit.
The lighting should be uniform across both the before and after photos. Shadows are not ideal and may alter the way results look. All pictures should be sharp and noise-free.
2. Check for consistent angles and positioning.
Consistency in posing and angles between the before and after photos is essential for an accurate side-by-side comparison. Ideally, patients’ arms should be at the same height and orientation, and patients should be standing for optimal views.
3. Assess symmetry and overall contour.
Symmetry is crucial in the “after” photos. This is because uneven results can be a sign of incomplete fat removal or uneven skin tightening. You want to be able to see a natural, smooth contour from upper arm to elbow. The arms should look proportional to the rest of the body as well.
4. Look at skin quality.
One of the key indicators of a successful arm lift is the quality of the skin in the results photos. Depending on the patient’s age, natural skin elasticity, and the extent of surgery, some minor imperfections may remain. But what’s most important is that there is a visible improvement in the firmness and overall appearance of the skin in the “after” photos.
5. Evaluate each arm lift before and after scar appearance.
When assessing arm lift scars before and after photos, carefully observe the placement and appearance of scars in the “after” photos. Each brachioplasty scar should be placed in a hard-to-see area (as much as is possible). Patients should not have any visible discoloration or redness, and scars should be flush and blended with the surrounding skin.
6. Pay attention to where each patient started.
Each patient begins their arm lift surgical procedure from a different starting point, which can influence their results. You want to ideally find patients who look like you and who have the same or similar issues.
So, when looking at these pictures filter cases based on this criteria. Some patients will need to remove the excess skin from only the top of the upper arms. Other patients will need to also tighten the skin near the elbows and get liposuction as well.
Although individual results vary, finding someone who looks like you can help you envision your potential results.
FAQ: Arm Lift Surgery
What is arm lift surgery recovery like?
Brachioplasty recovery requires a lot of downtime and complete refrain from physical activities for a while. You won’t be able to do much of anything with your arms or even your upper body until your incisions are completely healed and you’re well on your way to a full recovery.
Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are normal at first. Your arms will be well-bandaged with compression sleeves over top to reduce swelling and improve healing. Be sure to attend all of your followup appointments.
Can men get arm lift surgery?
Yes, of course. This is a male female procedure. Most arm lift surgery patients are men or women who’ve been through a massive weight loss.
What is a mini arm lift?
Mini arm lift surgery is essentially a traditional brachioplasty, but with a smaller incision on each arm. Typically, a mini brachioplasty arm lift also has incisions that are more hidden within the armpit area.
It’s a good surgery for patients who have some excess skin closer to the armpit but not a lot. You can see examples of what this surgery looks like by examining mini arm lift before and after pictures. There is also the extended brachioplasty, which requires a longer incision than is necessary for a traditional arm lift surgery, and which removes more loose skin.
How much does arm lift surgery cost?
Brachioplasty cost is quite difficult to estimate before we see you in person for a consultation appointment. Dr. Steinberg will need to conduct a physical evaluation, discuss your medical history, and talk to you about your goals first before offering an estimated price for your procedure.
Request a Consultation with Us
If you have sagging skin and excess fat on your upper arm area, like tummy tuck surgery for loose skin on the abdomen, a brachioplasty arm lift surgery can transform the appearance of your arms, doing wonders for your look and your confidence.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg can help. Along with her compassionate and experienced team, Dr. Steinberg performs this plastic surgery procedure along with many others at her Houston practice. Please call today to book your brachioplasty surgery consultation appointment with Dr. Steinberg.
