WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING AN ARM LIFT PROCEDURE?
During an arm lift procedure, you’ll be fully asleep under general anesthesia at our surgery center in Palo Alto. Dr. Boudreault will prescribe pain medication for you at the time of your pre-operative visit, so you can manage any initial discomfort after your surgery. You’ll be asked to wear a compression garment for up to 24 hours a day for at least the first week to reduce swelling as you heal. This procedure can be done as a standalone procedure, but can also be done in combination with other breast or body procedures.
HOW IS AN ARM LIFT PERFORMED?
An arm lift involves the removal of skin and fat of the upper arm. An incision is made at the inner part of the arm, resulting in a scar that rests in a line between the elbow and the armpit, easily hidden and out of sight. The length of the scar is determined by the amount of skin laxity — if there is more laxity, Dr. Boudreault will make a thorough assessment to determine if he may be able to extend the incision past the armpit and in the upper-side of the torso to remove more skin and fat in that region, also known as the “side boob.” After the removal of skin and the reshaping of fat with liposuction, the incision is closed, and the arms are left with a permanently toned and slimmed appearance.
HOW LONG IS RECOVERY TIME FROM THE PROCEDURE?
You may initially experience some post-operative discomfort from an arm lift, as well as bruising and swelling. Because you may have difficulty moving your arms normally for a few days after the surgery, you may wish to have assistance with your recovery.
After the procedure is complete, Dr. Boudreault will be there every step of the way in your aftercare process to ensure a speedy recovery, but generally, most patients will begin feeling themselves again after 2-3 weeks. We recommend that you take one month off from any strenuous activity for about one month after the procedure to ensure optimal healing.
HOW SOON WILL I SEE RESULTS?
When the procedure is complete, your arms will be wrapped in a compression support garment to reduce swelling and aid healing, so you may not be able to see the results immediately afterward. However, the bandages come off about one week later, and you will instantly notice a dramatic difference, with a much tighter and more toned appearance to your arms. There may be minor swelling present for 6-9 months post-procedure, but most of the before/after photos we take are at 3-6 months post-procedure.
HOW MUCH DOES AN ARM LIFT COST?
An average cost of an arm lift is $11,000 and $13,000, depending on the amount of excess skin and fat removed and the individual technique used. This is the total average cost, including anesthesia and facility fees. We at Illuminate are happy to offer convenient payment options so that there is no need to pay for your arm lift procedure all upfront. Talk to us about options like CareCredit and Alphaeon for easy monthly payments for your arm lift procedure, so that you can enjoy the results soon and pay it off over time. Many of our patients will choose to apply for credit cards with longer terms at 0% interest, so you can enjoy your results soon without the immediate financial burden upfront.
