Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in Houston, TX

Brachioplasty at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

Flabby, loose skin along the upper arm can be both frustrating and embarrassing. Sometimes referred to as a bat wing or bingo wing, this excess tissue not only takes away from an attractive figure and ages the body, but the sagging skin can prove resistant to diet and exercise. Although the shapeless tissue along the upper arm can be the result of weight fluctuations and the normal aging process, genetics also plays a major role. More than just annoying, this accumulation of jiggly skin and fat can result in a dramatic decrease in self-esteem. Many women will eventually forgo short-sleeve tops or swimwear, keeping their upper arms covered. This can be very uncomfortable, especially with the hot Houston summers.

While lifestyle changes may do little to improve the billowy skin and fat of the upper arm, there is a surgical option. Dr. Ravi Somayazula offers his patients the brachioplasty, a surgery designed specifically to contour the upper arm and reclaim a youthful figure. The arm lift from Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics can restore a woman’s confidence by successfully eliminating this stubborn, lax tissue. Dr. Ravi’s technique contours the upper arm for long-lasting body sculpting results.

Arm Lift Before & After

These before & after photos are from a specific patient. Results may vary. Schedule a personalized consultation with our doctor to learn more.

The Benefits of an Arm Lift

As we age, tissue elasticity begins to decrease. Coupled with the accumulation of fatty tissue, areas such as the upper arm can eventually lose their shape and tone. Fluctuations in body weight, especially in those patients who undergo a massive weight loss, can cause a further accumulation of lax tissue along the upper arm. When this sagging tissue appears, no amount of diet or exercise can restore the arm’s healthy contours. Weight lifting and arm-specific exercises may improve muscle tone, but ultimately do nothing to reverse the loss in tissue elasticity.

Dr. Ravi’s arm lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to remove the unwanted tissue from the upper arm. Through an incision, from the axilla to the elbow, Dr. Ravi will meticulously eliminate the lax skin and fat, creating a sculpted arm. While Dr. Ravi’s brachioplasty can be performed alone, optimal results can be achieved with the addition of liposuction, excising localized fatty deposits, as well. Paired with a healthy lifestyle and a consistent exercise routine, the results from Dr. Ravi’s brachioplasty can be long-lasting.

Why Choose Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics for Your Brachioplasty?

Dr. Ravi is a Harvard-trained plastic surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Bringing patients more than a decade of experience, each of his brachioplasty procedures is custom-tailored to the individual’s unique needs. Whether the arm lift will be performed on its own, combined with an additional technique like liposuction, or as part of a Mommy Makeover, Dr. Ravi ensures each of his patients will have satisfying results.

The aesthetic staff at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics strives to provide each patient with the necessary information needed to make an informed decision about how to move forward with their brachioplasty. Dr. Ravi spends time getting to know his patients and their aesthetic desires during the consultation, creating a personalized treatment plan to achieve clear results. Dr. Ravi and his team bring patients the most sought-after arm lift in the Houston-area.

The Ideal Brachioplasty Candidate

An ideal brachioplasty candidate can be either a man or woman, of any skin type or ethnicity. Potential patients should be nonsmokers and in overall good health. Individuals should understand the surgical procedure and the associated recovery period, as well as hold realistic expectations for the final results. It is recommended that each brachioplasty patient be close to their ideal body weight for at least 3 months. Large fluctuations in weight can compromise the arm lift results.

The Arm Lift Consultation and Physical Examination

Potential brachioplasty patients should expect their consultation with Dr. Ravi to last about one hour. During this confidential visit, Dr. Ravi will get to know the patient and better understand their unique situation. After discussing aesthetic goals and reviewing the medical history, Dr. Ravi will perform a physical evaluation to assess the tissue of the upper arm. He will explain his brachioplasty techniques, map out the resultant scar and show a variety of before/after photographs of his recent patients, helping to create a clear picture of the potential results. After outlying the recovery requirements and potential risks, it will be determined if the brachioplasty is the best choice. If so, a personalized treatment plan, including any additional procedures, will be created. A patient coordinator will also take some time to review the total brachioplasty cost and review the payment options.

The Brachioplasty Pre-Op Appointment

Two weeks prior the brachioplasty, a pre-operative appointment will be arranged with Dr. Ravi. This provides a final in-person meeting to discuss dos and don’ts for before and after surgery, as well as any last minute instructions. Dr. Ravi will provide prescriptions, to be filled prior to the day of surgery. These will include an antibiotic, anti-nausea medications, and pain medications. Office staff will take a ‘before’ photograph, to be compared with the final ‘after’ pictures. Consent forms will be reviewed and signed. There will be adequate time during this appointment to ask any remaining questions.

Remember, smoking should be stopped four weeks prior to the brachioplasty, not to be resumed for at least four weeks after surgery. Aspirin and all NSAIDS need to be discontinued at least two weeks before the procedure, as well as any herbal supplements. By discontinuing these items, patients will dramatically decrease the chance for post-op complications, such as bleeding and delayed wound healing. Dr. Ravi will review all of the medications to discontinue before surgery. During the follow-up appointments, Dr. Ravi will give the go-ahead when these items can safely be resumed.

The Arm Lift Procedure

Dr. Ravi’s brachioplasty procedure will be performed at a local, accredited surgical center, using general anesthesia provided by a board certified anesthesiologist. Based on on the patient and the extent of correction required, most arm lifts will take from one to three hours to perform depending upon the extent of liposuction.

To begin, Dr. Ravi will make an incision, running laterally from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow, on the inside of the arm. The pattern and length of the incision will depend on the individual patient and the amount of tissue to be excised. Once the unwanted skin has been eliminated, liposuction will be used to further sculpt the arm. Any additional techniques can be performed at this time. Dr. Ravi will then tighten the remaining tissues, reshaping the arm before placing sutures along the incisions.

Getting Back to Normal After Your Arm Lift

Dr. Ravi’s arm lift is normally performed as an outpatient surgery, getting patients back to the comfort of their own home the same day. Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work and school in seven to fourteen days, sometimes sooner. Heavy lifting, exercise, and strenuous activities will need to be postponed for four to six weeks.

Patients can expect their brachioplasty recovery to take from one to two weeks. Initially, the arms and hands may be swollen, bruised, and tender. In some instances, Dr. Ravi may need to place small drains along the upper arm, to reduce the accumulation of fluid. These will be removed in one week during one of the in-office, follow-up visits.

The brachioplasty is considered a safe procedure, however, as an invasive technique, there is always the small chance for complications. In rare cases, unexpected bleeding, infection, scarring, nerve damage, and asymmetry can occur. Dr. Ravi will explain the potential for complications during the consultation appointment. To ensure the safest results, Dr. Ravi will carefully monitor your recovery period.

Get started on your arm lift with Houston’s Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics:

Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics is conveniently located in Memorial on the Katy Freeway, easily reached from all areas of Houston, including the Woodlands, Sugar Land, Cypress and Katy. Our state-of-the-art office is designed for comfort and confidentiality. Schedule your brachioplasty consultation with Dr. Ravi by contacting a patient coordinator at Body by Ravi Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. Call our Houston office at 281.242.1061 or fill out our easy, online Contact Us form.

Brachioplasty FAQ:

• What is a brachioplasty?
  The brachioplasty, often referred to as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate sagging tissue along the upper arm. The technique removes loose, lax skin and fatty tissue, creating a taut, youthful arm.
• Am I a good candidate for a brachioplasty?
  The ideal brachioplasty patient will be in overall good health, close to their ideal body weight, with realistic surgical expectations. Those who are not at a stable body weight will be encouraged to postpone their arm lift procedure.
• Should I expect my brachioplasty to leave scars?
  While the arm lift will leave a thin scar, running along the incision line, most patients are extremely pleased with their surgical results. Although the scar will fade a bit over time, it does remain noticeable. The brachioplasty scars are normally easily concealed, however, as they are on the underside of the arm.
• How long does Dr. Ravi’s brachioplasty procedure take?
  Dr. Ravi’s arm lift will take between one to three hours to perform, most often performed as an out-patient procedure.
• When can I return to work after my brachioplasty procedure?
  Patients are generally feeling good enough to return to work in one to two weeks. But keep in mind that every patient does heal differently.