This is known as the surgical technique aimed at improving the appearance of the arms, where by resection of the excess dermograso tissue at that level, it is possible that the patient can show stylized and harmonic arms with his body, and mostly majority of the cases, to obtain such results is combined with liposuction.
Recall that with the passage of time or product of variations of body weight, the tissue of the arms tends to fall and become flaccid, which is impossible to correct with exercise and can only be achieved through surgery to be able to tighten and soften the appearance of the arms.
Regardless of the cause and regardless of sex, and there is flaccidity at the level of the inner side of the arms, in good health, and with stable weight, that person is considered a good candidate for this surgery and should therefore consider it.
The patient should be realistic in their expectations regarding the results of this procedure, as well as understand and accept the formation of long residual scars which are hidden.
It is usually done with local anesthesia plus sedation for the tranquility and relaxation of the patient, handling as an average time of 2 to 3 hours approximately.
In relation to these we must know that their size is directly proportional to the degree of flaccidity of the arms, and can range from a small axillary incision in mild cases, to incisions extending from the axilla to the elbow as in the cases more severe. The scars being barely visible and even imperceptible because they are located in the natural fold of the armpit or the inner side of the arm, obviously will be more noticeable when lifting the arms, and which will improve over time.
It is important that the patient knows that in all cases of brachioplasty we leave a drainage through a punctiform wound which will be removed later.
The patient usually stays 24 hours in the hospital, leaving until the next day, which allows us to keep an eye on him and be alert to any eventuality, as well as being able to better manage postoperative pain through the continuous administration of special drugs that will allow patient during the first hours a greater comfort.
The person should plan to stay at home keeping relative rest and avoid to the utmost to make movements with the arms, to take the prescribed medicines according to instructions, to eat normally according to the tolerance and to ingest abundant liquids.
You should perform daily care on operative wounds, maintain proper dressing and drainage care, and it is recommended not to be exposed to the sun for at least the first 8 weeks.
This period implies that the patient must maintain a bandage that will keep the arms covered, which is removed between the 4th and 5th day after surgery along with the drainage, from which time a special medical band should be used 24 hours daily for 8 weeks, and because of the potential for inflammation of this procedure the patient is subjected to ultrasound and post-operative lymphatic drainage therapies.
Absorbable sutures are generally used for these procedures, thus avoiding the patient’s discomfort from withdrawal, which means that the average recovery time is approximately 10 days, returning the patient to his daily activities one or two weeks after the procedure as long as it is not exposed to physical exertion or large movements with the arms.
Arm surgery involves a very low percentage of risks, but complications such as infection, seroma, bleeding or defective enlarged or hypertrophic scarring (especially in smokers) may occur, which necessitates subsequent surgical remodeling.