UPPER ARM SURGERY (BRACHIOPLASTY, BRACHIAL LIPOSUCTION)
Upper arm surgery is performed almost exclusively in women. Men who have undergone massive weight loss following gastric bypass surgery will also benefit from removal of excess skin of the upper arms. These procedures will improve the patient’s ability to wear more fashionable clothing, improve body image, and significantly enhance confidence. Check out the photo gallery of past clients.UPPER ARM SURGERY CONSULTATION
At the initial consultation for upper arm surgery, a pertinent medical and family history will be taken, with particular emphasis on upper arm issues and issues around the axilla (armpit). You will see a film that outlines the procedure of upper arm surgery. Dr. Vogt and their and his nursing staff will then meet with you and explain the surgical procedure in a personalized fashion. All efforts will be made to answer all of the questions you may have regarding upper arm surgery.
It is always encouraged to bring a friend or significant other with you to be present during the discussion and the question-and-answer phase. After this, your surgeon will perform a focused physical examination addressing important issues such as the amount of skin looseness of the upper arm, the amount of fatty tissue of the upper arms, and the amount of skin looseness and fatty tissue in the area around the armpit as well.
Family history can play a very important role in determining whether to perform liposuction or not. If there is a family history of large upper arms, often liposuction at an earlier age will result in nice skin contraction and long-term reshaping of the upper arm. Dr. Vogt has taught numerous courses on upper arm surgery since 1989. He has published several chapters and also articles on this most-difficult area to treat. He developed a hypothesis in 1995 that “If liposuction is performed at a young-enough age, the chance of prolonged reshaping is excellent.” This has proven to be the case in numerous patients over the past 20 years. In other situations where there has been massive weight loss, either by diet and exercise or through gastric bypass surgery, some form of skin excision may be necessary. This will often lead to visible scars that will take a long time to mature and become less visible.
A detailed discussion is held with the patient at the time of the initial office consultation as to medications that need to be avoided, time required from work, and level of activity following the upper arm surgical procedure. The patient will also meet with the surgical and scheduling director who will outline cost of the operative procedure, which will be all-inclusive of the operative procedure, the garments, postoperative massage and ultrasound therapy, anesthesia, and the surgical fee.
THE PLANNING AND THE INCISIONS OF UPPER ARM SURGERY
Procedures may vary from straightforward liposuction to combinations of liposuction and skin removal, simple skin-excess removal, and even a combination of upper arm and breast surgery and surgery around the axillae as well. The incisions are carefully marked out, again with patient participation. The patient is asked to hold a large mirror to verify that there is a complete understanding of exactly what will be performed at the time of the procedure. Patient-satisfaction is very high with this operation as long as the expectations are realistic.
THE DAY OF UPPER ARM SURGERY
Upper arm surgery requires approximately 3-5 hours planning, operating time, and recovery. This depends upon the procedure that is being performed. During the preoperative phase, the patient will meet with Dr. Vogt to ensure that all questions have been answered before proceeding.
The board-certified medical doctor anesthesiologist (MDA) at Wayzata Plastic Surgery will meet the patient and discuss any previous anesthetics that have administered and answer any questions that the patient has regarding the anesthetic choice for this particular operation. After the upper arm surgery, the patient is transferred to the recovery room in the care of a registered nurse who has Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD FOLLOWING UPPER ARM SURGERY
A responsible adult must be available to transport the patient following surgery and also be available for the first 24 hours to assist the patient in getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. A detailed set of instructions will accompany the patient home and the nursing staff will review all of these instructions carefully. A nurse from Wayzata Plastic Surgery will call the patient the evening of surgery to check the status and answer questions. If any questions or concerns arise outside of our normal business hours, our answering service will be able to contact Dr. Vogt for you.
You will return to the office for a recheck appointment two days after surgery if drains have been left in place and 5-7 days after surgery if no drains have been utilized.