Brachioplasty-Surgery to reduce excess skin of the upper arms

With the increase in bariatric surgery (gastric banding and gastric bypass) to treat patients with obesity, there has been a marked increase in the number of reconstructive plastic surgery procedures to treat the excess skin. Known by the common name of upper arm lift, the brachioplasty is a procedure which has increased in popularity from 2500 cases 10 years ago to over 20,000 now. This procedure has also undergone changes over the last 10 years. Because of the emphasis now on all aspects of surgery to have smaller incisions and shorter scars, most techniques nowadays involve liposuction of the upper arm combined with removal of skin from the armpit area. The scar is very well hidden and also has the advantage of removing the hair-bearing and sweat glands bearing areas of the armpit. For patients who have had massive weight loss the procedure can be extended into the lateral chest and back where there is excess skin.

The surgery is performed as an outpatient under local anesthetic with sedation or general anesthetic. The results are quite dramatic once the skin tightens up. Patients are no longer bothered by their “bat wings” and can now wear short sleeve shirts.