Your arm lift in Stuttgart
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An arm lift is a highly effective surgical method for removing sagging and excess skin on the upper arms and, if necessary, in the armpit area. It is ideal for women and men who struggle with sagging skin or voluminous upper arms despite exercise and a healthy diet, or simply when skin aging with a loss of elasticity is present. Even after major weight reduction, sagging excess skin and remaining fat deposits can lead to a loss of contour of the upper arms, which can be corrected with an arm lift. Those affected usually cannot find suitable clothing either, because the upper arm does not fit into the sleeves of a blouse, for example. Demand for arm lifts in plastic surgery has risen significantly in recent years, as the procedure offers a lasting solution for restoring a harmonious contour to the arms and contributing to greater well-being, while at the same time involving manageable risks and rapid healing when performed by a specialist. I perform this treatment regularly in my practice in Stuttgart to help my patients achieve a firmer and thus more aesthetic appearance of the arms.
Indications and methods of the arm lift
The arm lift aims to improve the contour of the upper arms by removing excess skin and, if necessary, fatty tissue on the upper arm. This is often necessary for patients after significant weight loss or as a result of natural aging processes. The result is firmer, smoother skin and a more harmonious appearance of the arms. Especially with voluminous upper arms, there is often structural damage to the skin on the inner upper arm, such as stretch marks, which is why in such cases a combination of gentle liposuction (water-jet technique) and an inner arm lift is usually advisable (= hybrid procedure).
In my practice in Stuttgart, I mostly use the so-called hybrid technique. What does it involve? On the one hand, in addition to changes such as sagging skin on the upper arm and in the armpit area, there are often residual fat deposits that make the arms look bulky and unathletic. These place a burden on skin that is already strained, whether through skin aging or after weight reduction, and lead to unpleasant pain in the arms, especially during everyday activities or sports. If these are reduced before the planned lift by gentle liposuction using the water-jet technique (bodyjet), not only does your surgical result benefit significantly from additional stimulation of the connective tissue, but the blood vessels, nerves and lymph vessels running mainly along the inner upper arm are also protected as well as possible, which contributes to significantly better healing. Less swelling, fewer sensory problems, less pain, fewer wound healing problems. This pleases not only you as a patient but also me as your surgeon and specialist. So you see: not all lifts are the same, and alongside the surgeon's experience, the surgical method makes the difference!
Look forward to a harmonious shape and contour of your arms and upper arms that are back in harmony with your body!
Key facts about arm lifts
| Duration of surgery: | approx. 1.5–2.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Special features: | gentle hybrid technique with liposuction if appropriate |
| Type of anesthesia: | general anesthesia, twilight sedation if appropriate |
| Hospital stay: | outpatient / inpatient |
| Aftercare: | adhesive strips for approx. 2 weeks, physical rest for 4–6 weeks, compression garment for 6 weeks |
| Sports activities: | after approx. 4–6 weeks |
| Follow-up treatment: | regular check-ups up to 1 year after surgery |
| Back to social life: | immediately to a few days |
| Back to work: | approx. 7 days for light office work, longer otherwise |
| Treatment costs: | from €5,000, hybrid technique more expensive |
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about arm lifts
Who is suitable for an arm lift?
Ideal for women and men who have sagging upper arms after weight loss or due to age-related skin laxity. Further reasons for an arm lift arise from a fat distribution disorder with large fat deposits, whose weight places great strain on the very thin skin on the inner upper arms, secondarily leading to a loss of firmness or excess skin. In combination with simultaneous liposuction, which first reduces the volume before the excess skin is surgically removed, a very effective and equally gentle surgical technique for an arm lift in Stuttgart is also available to you (hybrid technique).
How is an arm lift performed?
The operation takes place in the private clinic in Stuttgart that cooperates with my practice and is usually performed under general anesthesia or, for minor findings, under twilight sedation if appropriate. Excess skin and any fatty tissue present are removed in order to optimally contour and lastingly tighten the arms. By using highly specialized plastic surgery techniques, the neurovascular bundles and lymph vessels running along the inner side in particular are protected as well as possible, which drastically reduces surgical risks. The art also lies in placing the resulting scar on the inner upper arm very carefully through meticulous planning before the operation, so that it remains and heals as inconspicuously as possible. After the operation, the arms are usually bandaged or placed directly under the required compression with a garment. Depending on the duration of the operation and the risk profile, an overnight stay in the clinic may be advisable. Women with small children in particular should make use of the option of an inpatient stay.
What are the risks of an arm lift?
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and precautions, which I explain to you in detail in the personal consultation. The most common risks of an arm lift include minor bruising, longer-lasting swelling and temporary changes in sensation in the forearm and fingers. In exceptional cases and depending on the circumstances, minor wound healing problems can also occur with an arm lift, but these heal on their own without consequences and do not affect the aesthetic result. Unfavorable factors include diabetes mellitus, severe obesity and smoking. In addition to appropriate preparation, such as abstaining from nicotine, compression treatment for six weeks, well-controlled blood sugar, meticulous hygiene of the armpit area after the operation and physical rest are of enormous importance. Detailed information on preparation will be sent to you by e-mail after the consultation.
How long does it take to heal after an arm lift?
Complete healing certainly takes a few weeks. However, a distinction must be made between internal healing and external wound healing. Every body and every tissue also heals differently. The wounds usually heal completely within 2–3 weeks and should then be consistently cared for and massaged over a period of 9–12 months. High sun protection is just as important. The final result, however, develops over several weeks. With consistent compression using special garments and physical rest, the worst of the swelling has largely subsided after six weeks and a representative result can be expected.
Can the arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, the arm lift can be combined with other aesthetic procedures such as a breast lift, a high lateral flank lift, a tummy tuck if appropriate, or simultaneous liposuction. The decisive factors are your individual circumstances and the expected total operating time. Particularly after massive weight loss, depending on the extent of the laxity, it can make sense to tighten directly adjacent body regions at the same time in order to achieve the most harmonious overall result possible. However, this must be weighed up individually. The aim must always be to check what is medically and technically feasible for whether it makes sense. Less is often more!
How much does an arm lift cost?
As with any surgical procedure, it must first be examined which method can achieve an optimal result, which in turn determines the duration of the operation and thus the costs. The same applies to the extent of tissue laxity and whether, for example, simultaneous liposuction of the upper arms is advisable. The costs therefore vary greatly and absolutely require a personal consultation with Dr. Zimmermann.
