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related articles
 surgical method of arm lift or brachioplasty:
body sculpturing, contouring or reshaping
body fat and obesity
how does ultrasonic liposuction differ from traditional liposuction?
eating disorder: bulimia
aging changes in the skin
information about Dr. Hudson
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As we grow older loose skin begins to develop on the upper arm. Sometimes this becomes so severe that it hangs down creating a "bats's wing deformity." In some patients this can even interfere with the use of the arm. The treatment for this is to remove the excess skin and fat (brachioplasty) but not everyone is a candidate for surgery.
The operation leaves a scar which may go from the elbow to the armpit. This can be noticeable. Patients should not have the operation unless they feel comfortable with the scar or can wear clothes that hide it. Many patients will need to change clothing styles. Still the removal of the excess skin is worth it for many of them.
An arm lift or brachioplastyy is usually not suitable for patients who have had a mastectomy. The drainage of fluid (lymph) from the arm may already be damaged and surgery can lead to persistent swelling. Patients who have repeated infections in the armpit or suffer from excess sweat formation (axillary hidradenitis) may also not be candidates for this surgery.
In some obese patients liposuction may be more suitable. Because of the thickness of the whole arm a brachioplasty may not achieve the desired result. |