Brachioplasty Removes Bat-Wings - By: Dave Stringham

An arm lift or brachioplasty is the surgical correction of excess skin to the arms. Over time, with pregnancy, weight loss or even during normal development, excess skin to the upper arms (bat-wings) can develop compelling women to seek correction.

The traditional approach to a brachioplasty involves removing excess skin under the arm along its length, which extends from the elbow to the axilla (armpit). The scar is placed along the underside of the arm so that it's well concealed. In time, many patients have scars that blend and fade beautifully but sometimes the scar can remain red for months and even widen; this potential drawback, however, is more than worth it for the patient who can now fit normally into their clothes.

Brachioplasty is usually performed with general anesthesia. The procedure is performed as an outpatient so you can go home the same day - the entire visit usually requires about four hours from the initial registration to your discharge.

Patients often have multiple procedures at the same time. The most common include breast augmentation, breast lifts, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) and/or liposuction. Other procedures would also include lower body procedures such as buttock or thigh lifts. This saves both time and money since costs are often reduced when multiple procedures are combined. Ask your plastic surgeon about your options as each patient is unique and expectations will vary upon each patient's circumstances.

Most patients feel that brachioplasty was less traumatic than they expected and many patients stop taking their narcotic pain medication a day or two after surgery. The procedure is out-patient, which means you can go home the same day. The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and sealed with glue on the outside so there are no sutures to remove and patients can shower the very next day. Drains are usually placed but are removed the next day. Most of the swelling is resolved in about 4-6 weeks after surgery and patients are encouraged to wear a support garment for about 4-6 weeks, after which, there are no restrictions at all.

Follow up is very important and patients are encouraged to return to the office within the week, at six weeks, six months and a year. This allows their plastic surgeon to not only address any concerns that a patient may have but also make sure that both short and long term progress has been up to his high standards.

A Brachioplasty is a procedure which, unfortunately, can be performed by any physician - whether adequately trained or not. Most states have very little regulation on this matter. Because of this, non-plastic - or so called "cosmetic" - surgeons can perform an arm lift as well. In addition, some physicians who are legitimately board certified in other specialties, such as ENT, dermatology, and gynecology, for example are performing "cosmetic" surgery even though they often have never had any formal residency training in the specialty of plastic surgery itself. Weekend courses abound and the patient is often confused as to which doctor to see.

Although operating in an office setting is not in and of itself inappropriate, it is always possible that an extended hospital observation or additional care might be needed. Indeed, certain procedures or multiple surgeries are usually best treated within the context of a full hospital facility. In addition, hospitals usually require certain standards (credentialing) such as board certification before a physician can have staff privileges. Unfortunately, there are no legal restrictions in most states that prevent physicians operating out of their offices or non hospital associated free-standing surgery suites; so be sure to ask if your doctor does have admitting privileges at a fully accredited hospital facility. If they don't, their ability to either transfer patients or provide continuity of care is potentially compromised.

About the Author

Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com writes about plastic surgery in Ann Arbor, Michigan and plastic surgery procedures such as ann arbor brachioplasty, liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and abdominoplasty.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dave-Stringham/25650

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