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Brachioplasty is a surgical intervention performed on the upper arm area to tighten the skin of the arms and remove excess fatty tissue. Age-related changes in the skin are associated with a decrease in fluid content in the body and as a consequence, a decrease in turgor and tone. Together, these processes lead to the formation of folds. As a rule, the skin begins to hang on the inner-upper part of the shoulder, forming a fold all the way to the elbow. This problem is encountered not only by people of «age», but also by persons who have undergone rapid weight loss. This is due to overgrowth of the dermis to accumulate fatty tissue. After a person loses weight and fat deposits, the area of the skin remains the same.
The manipulation is aimed at restoring the former beauty, restoring the natural tone and removing unwanted skin. The incision is made on the inner side of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow, in special cases it can start from the chest. It is not uncommon to combine the surgery with liposuction, a procedure performed to suction out excess fat.
PRECAUTIONS
Since brachioplasty is a plastic manipulation, there are no absolute indications for its performance. The main requirement for its performance is the patient’s desire. Most often the surgeon’s help is sought by people who suffer from excess weight or have age-related changes in skin tone. A huge proportion of all visitors to plastic surgery clinics are patients who have lost a lot of weight and have overstretched skin.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Diabetes mellitus, regardless of type
- Somatic diseases affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory system
- In obesity, liposuction should be performed first and only then brachioplasty should be performed
To prevent the development of lymphedema, excision of the skin on the upper arm is prohibited in patients who have undergone surgery on the lymph nodes in the axillary region, as well as removal of the breast.
PREOPERATIVE PERIOD
The first thing to do when you go to the clinic is to consult with a plastic surgeon. At the end of the examination, the surgeon concludes whether the patient is indicated for surgery. If yes, then the next stage will be the delivery of various tests indicating the functionality of vital organs and systems. Laboratory testing is limited to general urine, blood, biochemistry, syphilis and blood clotting tests.
It is important to inform your doctor about allergies and current medications. Antiaggregants such as aspirin or clopidogrel should be discontinued for two weeks before and after the operation, otherwise they will lead to massive bleeding and a complicated recovery period.
The price for brachioplasty in German clinics depends on many factors and is negotiated individually, but if we take the average figures, the cost ranges from 3 to 6 thousand euros.
CONDUCTING TECHNIQUE
In patients with only small fat deposits, the effect is only achieved with liposuction. Brachioplasty is minimally performed in individuals with small folds in the armpit area, leaving a small scar that heals within two months. In more severe cases, the incision is made on the upper arm from the elbow to the armpit.
To reduce damage from the surgical scalpel, the incision is made in the form of an ellipse, and in case of large volumes of skin to be removed, the incision is made in a T-shape. In all cases, the tissue is excised along the inner side of the shoulder. The second stage of the operation consists of removing excess fatty tissue with subsequent excision of folds. After that, the surgeon tightens the skin and stitches it together with cosmetic sutures. As a rule, self-absorbing threads are used. The duration of the operation takes 100-140 minutes, performed under general or local anesthesia.
In special cases, it is possible to minimize the damage by making small incisions at the medial-upper arm to axilla transition. This technique is only relevant if the hanging skin is limited to the axilla.
RECOVERY PERIOD
During this phase of treatment, you should ensure that your hands are completely rested. The postoperative dressing is changed at least three times a week. Since a special material is used for suturing, the threads resorb on their own. To reduce swelling during the rehabilitation period, it is recommended to use compression underwear and elevated position of the limb at night. Within two weeks of rehabilitation, the patient returns to his or her normal lifestyle and standard physical activities.
In case of excessive pain, painkillers are prescribed. If during the postoperative period at the site of surgical intervention there is increased swelling, hyperemia, intolerable pain, impaired mobility of the hand, you should urgently contact the attending physician. To accelerate the postoperative period, it is recommended to refuse smoking and alcohol intake.