Following bariatric surgery, many people need to undergo plastic surgery to correct problems with excess skin and fat deposits, says Dr. Joel Aronowitz, a board-certified California plastic surgeon. When patients have bariatric surgery, it reduces the amount of food they can consume, activating rapid weight loss. That rapid weight loss combined with significant weight loss often results in excess skin weighing 40 to 60 pounds, according to MedStar Health.
How Brachioplasty Helps
The plastic surgery procedure known as brachioplasty removes the excess skin that forms a flap resembling the wing of a bat. Because skin loses elasticity as we age, it can’t bounce back from weight loss on its own. Brachioplasty typically removes some leftover fat, using liposuction, along with the extra skin.
Generically referred to as an arm lift, according to Real Self, it addresses the area from the elbow to just under the shoulder at the armpit. Removing this sagging and extra skin results in toned arms. The added area can’t be toned to this point with exercise alone.
Why People Choose the Surgery
Joel Aronowitz, M.D., explains that patients choose this surgery for many more reasons than extra skin removal. It’s not about vanity. People who undergo the surgery experience other problems from the extra skin and fat deposits, including:
• Range of motion issues
• Hygiene problems, such as fungal infections in the fat folds
• Limitations to exercise
• Chafing or rashes
• Self-esteem issues.
For some individuals, shaving the underarms or using deodorant exacerbates infections.
Results of the Surgery
Depending on the amount of excess skin, the plastic surgery patient may leave the surgery with either a small scar of about two inches in length at the underarm or a scar that extends from the elbow to the underarm pit. For a period of six weeks to two months, the individual won’t be able to lift heavy objects or work out their upper body.
Next Steps
Plastic surgeons counsel their patients to wait until they’ve finished losing weight to have brachioplasty. Further weight loss or gain can require repeating the surgery. Each patient needs to maintain their weight loss for about six months to ensure they only need one surgery.
If you smoke, the surgeon will stipulate that you must stop smoking. The surgery can’t be done if a person actively smokes anything, so your surgeon will ask that you stop smoking several to six weeks before the surgery.
Finding a Plastic Surgeon
For those interested in this type of surgery, contact your local board-certified plastic surgeon. Locate appropriate doctors using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons online database. Create a shortlist of highly-rated plastic surgeons in your area.
Check each candidate’s website to ensure that they specialize in brachioplasty. The best results from this surgery come from proper patient preparation and a surgeon who specializes in the surgery. Schedule a consultation with the top two or three choices to obtain more than one medical opinion. Consultations typically cost nothing or a nominal office visit fee.
