What are the risks associated with an Arm Lift?
Like all surgical procedures, with arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) there is always a possibility of complications.
During the healing process, there is quite a severe amount of pain and discomfort. The good news is that this can usually be controlled effectively with painkillers.
Will I have bruising?
Bruising is visible after surgery (and can spread down the arms).
What about swelling?
Swelling can also be very obvious. This can take up to three or four months to disappear.
Will I feel numb?
This complication may occur because of nerve damage during surgery. The numbness will reduce within months, but sometimes a small area will remain permanently senseless. However, normal activity is not influenced by this.
Will I have scarring?
One of the most common complications for this surgery is the extended scar, sometimes from armpit to elbow. The healing process of the scar depends on each individual. The degree of scar visibility cannot be predicted, except if you experienced other surgeries. They could also burst and require a new surgery for scar revision. There are also a few non-surgical methods used to better heal the scars such as: using micropore tape, daily massage, moisturising creams or steroid injections.
What other risks or complications are there?
- Bleeding and haematoma - Blood can accumulate under the skin and the tubes may not drain all the blood. Sometimes, a blood clot (haematoma) is formed. If this occurs, the patient has to undergo another operation in order to have the haematoma drained and the bleeding stopped.
- Wound infection - This type of complication may occur after any surgery, although it is not common. Prior to the operation, the patient is given antibiotics to prevent infection occurring.
- Serum collection - Removal of serum is a painless process but may require several visits to the plastic surgeon's office.
- Skin or fat necrosis (death) - Tissue loss along portions of the incision is a possibility when the lift is very extensive. This complication, which delays healing, is more common in patients who smoke. A skin graft may be needed in this case.
- Pulmonary embolism - This means that a blood clot travels to the lungs. Various prophylactic techniques are used to prevent this uncommon risk and cessation of hormone treatment may be necessary. Additionally, the surgeon recommends early mobilisation and anti-coagulant medication.
- Nerve compression - During the operation nerve compression may occur. This may cause difficulty with movement of the arm and hand.
- Contour abnormalities - Contour depressions are due to removal of too much skin/fat, necrosis (death) of tissue and infections. Sometimes scarring may attach the skin to deeper tissue and create the same look. Fortunately, there is a revision solution for this: the ultrasonic liposuction or the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty. This method supposes two main steps: first, the fat is broken up by ultrasound and secondly, fat is removed by suction.
When will I make a full physical recovery?
It may take you weeks or months to feel like your old self again. The key is to be as prepared a possible to follow your surgeon’s advice completely. For example, if you are physically fit when you have this operation, you will recover much more quickly.
Find out more
Only through an in-depth discussion with your surgeon will you be able to understand the risks, benefits and expected outcomes of this procedure.
If you would like to find out more about arm lift surgery or arrange a consultation, contact us today by completing our online enquiry form for an immediate response.
