Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

The primary goal of arm lift surgery is to bring your upper arms into better proportion with your physique, providing a more comfortable feeling. The outcomes of an arm lift are immediate and can be long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s important to note that an arm lift cannot prevent sagging of the upper arms in case of significant weight fluctuations in the future.

Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon at Assure Cosmetic Centre is the best person to determine if your expectations are achievable.

Typically, an arm lift in Perth involves your Specialist Plastic Surgeon making an incision on the inner side of your upper arm from your armpit to elbow. Excess fat might be removed through suction lipectomy. Stitches are then used to tighten the underlying muscle, creating a new and defined shape for the upper arm. Any surplus skin is eliminated, and the area is closed with stitches. Your surgeon will carefully assess your physical condition and preferences to decide on the most suitable techniques for your specific needs.

In Perth, an arm lift is performed in an accredited hospital under general anaesthetic. You can expect to be discharged that same day or after a short hospital stay. This will depend on your general health, the extent of the procedure, and your surgeon’s advice.

You will need to attend a post-operative consultation approximately 5-7 days after brachioplasty surgery, and again 7-14 days after surgery with subsequent post-op visits if required.

A pressure garment is to be worn for 6 weeks after surgery.

All plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures come with risks and potential complications. To ensure successful surgery, it is crucial to understand and minimise these risks. Whilst all measures are taken to mitigate risks, some risks are unavoidable.

All information on this page is general in nature – your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications pertinent to your individual surgical procedure during your consultation. General risks for surgery are listed here.

Specific risks related to brachioplasty surgery include, but are not limited to:

• Fat necrosis: This is a rare complication that can occur when fatty tissue dies. It can cause hard lumps under the skin, but it is usually not a serious problem.
• Restricted movement: Tightened skin after brachioplasty can make bending arms and certain movements more challenging.
• Skin graft: There is a risk of skin that does not heal and may require a skin graft. This risk is rare, but it is important to be aware of it before undergoing surgery.
• Blood loss: In rare cases of significant blood loss during surgery, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
• Nausea: Nausea is a common side effect, often caused by anaesthesia, but it typically resolves quickly after surgery.

While your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will do their best to minimise their visibility, scars are an unavoidable outcome of any surgical procedure. Usually a scar will be present on the inside of your upper arm, running from your armpit to your elbow. If you have a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring, it’s essential to inform your surgeon about this tendency before the procedure.

Although no major complications are expected with an arm lift, you may have some bruising and swelling after surgery. Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss what you can expect from this procedure. It is important to carefully follow your plastic surgeon’s advice to reduce the risk of complications.

Resuming your regular activities is a personal decision, and your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will provide guidance on your schedule. In general, most individuals can resume their usual activities within a few weeks. Many patients return to work after just 1 week, and some even sooner. However, it’s important to refrain from heavy lifting, intense exercise/sports, and swimming until advised by your surgeon. Wearing post-surgical compression garments on your arms for approximately 6 weeks is crucial to minimise swelling and aid the healing process.

It’s essential to highlight that each patient’s recovery process requires sufficient time, support, and proper postoperative care. Healing abilities and pain tolerance may vary among individuals, resulting in differences in recovery duration and the ability to engage in various activities.

An initial consultation with your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will cost approximately $300-$360, which is payable in full at the time of booking your consultation. Your consultation will take approximately 30-60 minutes.

Your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will provide an indication of the likely costs, such as your surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fees and hospital and theatre fees. Your surgeon’s fee includes all post-operative care and nurse dressings. Pricing will vary from case to case, but an indicative range of your surgeon’s fee is $6,000 to $7,500 excluding GST. Anaesthetist, hospital and theatre fees are additional.

Medicare and private health insurance rebates are not typically available for arm lift surgery in Perth. Your surgeon can provide you with more information, but you would then need to talk to your private health insurer to determine if they will provide any cover and confirm what your final out-of-pocket costs will be.