A large part of Dr Peters’ practice is body contouring surgery. By removing excess skin and tissue from the upper arm region, functional concerns can be addressed, as well as changing the contour of the upper arms.
Loss of tone in the arm region can occur as a result of significant weight loss, ageing or genetic factors. Excess tissue can lead to cosmetic concerns about appearance and functional issues such as irritation and rashes. Surgical correction such as brachioplasty can address these concerns, providing relief from discomfort and changing the arm’s appearance. This procedure focuses on resolving both aesthetic and functional issues.
Brachioplasty can be performed in conjunction with other body contouring procedures. During your initial consultation, Dr Peters will assess whether this is a suitable option for your individual circumstances.
Brachioplasty Before & After
Who are the suitable candidates
The decision to undergo brachioplasty is highly personal. Suitable candidates for an arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, are patients with excess skin and tissue located on the upper arms. This skin condition can occur due to several factors, such as the natural ageing process, significant weight loss, or genetic factors. Candidates may want to undergo a brachioplasty procedure to address cosmetic concerns related to the appearance of their arms.
The procedure can also be performed for medical reasons. Patients who experience discomfort due to excess skin, such as irritation, chafing, rashes, or infections, are also suitable candidates for an arm lift. The procedure can help address these issues by removing the excess skin and tissue.
In addition, suitable candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to quit smoking, have stable weights, and have realistic expectations about the outcomes of a brachioplasty procedure.
A thorough consultation with Dr Matthew Peters in Brisbane can help assess individual circumstances and determine if brachioplasty is an appropriate option.
How to prepare for arm lift surgery
The first step is to organise a consultation with Dr Peters, where you can discuss your concerns and expectations, ask questions, and learn more about what happens during the procedure.
If surgery is a suitable option, Dr Peters will provide information about preparation and post-surgery recovery requirements for the specific procedure. Any further instructions will be discussed during your consultation.
We recommend that you set up a comfortable recovery area in your home with pillows, ice packs, and entertainment. You may also want to prepare some healthy meals in advance, buy loose and comfortable clothing, and ensure you have any necessary prescriptions before the procedure date.
How much does brachioplasty Cost in Brisbane
The cost of brachioplasty in Brisbane can vary significantly based on several key factors. One of the primary factors that can affect the cost is the complexity of the arm lift procedure. For patients requiring more extensive surgeries involving significant removal of excess skin and fat or those needing additional procedures to address underlying tissue, the costs may be higher compared to those who need traditional brachioplasty.
Another factor to consider is the experience and reputation of the surgeon. Different surgeons offering the procedure may offer different professional fees. The surgeon’s fee may also cover pre-operative consultations, the actual surgical procedure itself, post-operative care, and follow-up visits.
Hospital fees also play a crucial role in the overall cost of brachioplasty. These fees can include the cost of the operating room, nursing staff, and any necessary medical supplies or equipment. They can also include the length of the hospital stay.
Anaesthesia fees should also be considered. Depending on the extent of the procedure, the surgeon may recommend local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia, or a combination. It is also important to keep in mind that using general anaesthesia requires the presence of an anaesthetist throughout the procedure, which is typically more expensive than local anaesthesia. Moreover, the duration of the brachioplasty procedure can also influence the costs associated with anaesthesia, with longer procedures resulting in higher costs.
Medicare rebates and private health insurance contributions can also affect the overall costs of brachioplasty. They can cover some of the costs associated with the procedure. However, the procedure must be deemed medically necessary, such as when it is performed to alleviate physical discomfort or health issues caused by excess skin, for Medicare and private insurers to provide coverage.
During the consultation, you will receive a detailed quote outlining all the costs associated with the procedure. Make sure to ask questions to gain more information about any expenses related to brachioplasty.
Recovery and Aftercare
In the immediate post-operative period, you will likely experience swelling, bruising, and pain in the treated area. Dressings will be applied to protect the area, and surgical drainage tubes may be placed to remove excess blood or fluids. These tubes will be removed after a few days.
To address the associated discomforts, you can take the prescribed medications. It is also recommended to keep your arms elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. Strenuous exercise and activities that require heavy lifting are not allowed as they can put strain on the incision sites.
During the first two weeks, the dressings and stitches are removed. You should attend all scheduled follow-up appointments for Dr Peters to assess your recovery progress and address any questions or concerns. Also, dressings and stitches will be removed within this period.
You should also keep the surgical site clean and dry to prevent infections. Other wound care guidelines that you should follow include proper and gentle cleaning as well as proper application of the prescribed ointments. You should also keep in mind that activities such as soaking the arms in water, swimming, bathing, and hot tubs should be avoided to prevent infection and other complications.
After two to three weeks, you can gradually start performing light activities and return to work. However, you may need more time to rest if your job requires strenuous activities. It is important to avoid any form of heavy lifting for at least six weeks to prevent pressure on the incision sites. Dr Peters will give you advice regarding the gradual reintroduction of physical activities.
Since the surgical procedure requires incisions, you will likely develop scarring. While Dr Peters will place the incisions in discreet locations (typically placed along the inner arm or the back of the arm), scarring will still occur. Over time, scars will undergo a maturation process, which causes a change in their appearance and texture. Once the scars fully mature, they become less noticeable.
You should also protect your scars from direct sunlight by applying sunscreen with a high SPF or wearing protective clothing. This is because prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause the scars to darken.
As you recover, it is important that you wear compression garments and follow aftercare instructions as advised by Dr Peters. This can help prevent complications and promote healing of the surgical wounds.
Risks & Complications
Like all surgical procedures, brachioplasty carries certain risks and potential complications. Understanding these risks is crucial for making an informed decision about undergoing the surgery.
Risks and complications associated with the surgery include the following:
- Infection: The surgical procedure involves making incisions along the inner arm or the back of the arm. Doing so can cause microorganisms to enter the surgical wound if the instruments are not sterile. Also, improper wound care, especially during the recovery period, can cause infection.
- Bleeding and haematoma: Excessive bleeding may occur which can lead to the formation of haematomas (localised collection of blood outside the blood vessels).
- Scarring: This is an inevitable part of any surgical procedure. Since incisions are required, scarring will likely occur.
- Seroma: This refers to the accumulation of fluid under the skin and may require the use of surgical drains to be removed.
- Nerve damage: This can occur because brachioplasty requires the removal of the excess skin and tissue from the upper arm region. As a result, you may experience changes in skin sensation, such as numbness or tingling.
- Delayed wound healing: If you are a smoker and have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, you will likely experience delayed healing of wounds.
- Asymmetry: In some cases, one arm may heal differently than the other, thus requiring revision surgery.
- Anaesthesia-related complications: These can include difficulty breathing, severe itching, and allergic reactions.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism): The surgical manipulation of tissues during brachioplasty can lead to the formation of blood clots.
- Poor aesthetic outcomes: Some patients may not be satisfied with the results of brachioplasty, thus highlighting the importance of having realistic expectations.
Following the pre- and post-operative instructions provided by Dr Peters can help mitigate these risks.
Your Questions Answered: Frequently Asked Questions
What incisions are used?
During an arm lift, an incision is usually made along the inside of the arm, from the armpit to the elbow. This allows Dr Peters to remove excess skin and pockets of fat before stitching the skin back together.
Can I combine procedures?
Brachioplasty procedures are often performed in conjunction with other body contouring procedures. Dr Peters can assess whether this is a suitable option for you in your initial consultation.
How should I prepare for the surgery?
What type of anaesthesia is used during the procedure?
How long do the results of the surgery last?
Brachioplasty Related Procedures
Abdominoplasty
Back Bra Lift
Labiaplasty
Thigh Reduction
