Upper Arm Lift in Washington, D.C.
Upper arm skin can become loose and flabby as we age and gain weight.
An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, removes loose skin and excess fat deposits from the upper arms. In some cases, an upper arm lift performed in Washington, D.C. at West End Plastic Surgery can be combined with VASERlipo™ liposuction. We are excited that JPlasma is now an option for an arm lift and will have only minimal downtime and very small incisions! Working with the team at West End Plastic Surgery, you can help determine the appropriate treatment plan to get the results you want.
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and are considering an upper arm lift, request a consultation online or call our office at (202) 785-4187 and a member of our knowledgeable staff can schedule a consultation.
If through age, weight gain, or genetic predisposition, your upper arm area has excess or sagging skin that does not respond to diet or exercise, you may be an ideal candidate for an upper arm lift.
The cost of an Arm Lift starts at around $7,900. The price will vary depending on the extent of treatment necessary to deliver your desired results. During your consultation, our surgeons will assess your cosmetic goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to meet them. The starting price is provided for your convenience, and it is important to note that it does not encompass facility or anesthesia fees. The comprehensive cost, inclusive of all potential fees, will be confirmed during your visit.
We also offer financing options, including CareCredit® and Alphaeon®, to help you with the cost of your cosmetic surgery.
Prior to scheduling your upper arm lift, you will meet at length with Dr. Ruff or any of our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons at West End Plastic Surgery to determine whether the procedure is right for you and to answer any questions you may have.
At this initial consultation, your upper arm region will be evaluated, you will discuss how you want this area to look after surgery, and it will be determined whether liposuction will also be used to enhance the appearance of your upper arms.
Prior to surgery, the team at West End Plastic Surgery will:
You will be asked to provide:
Our team at West End Plastic Surgery will assist you with all of the information you need for exceptional results with your J-Plasma. Dr. Ruff, our your surgeon, will address all of your concerns ahead of time and discuss what your desired results are. He will also explain his techniques and anesthesia options.
Performed in our AAAASF certified Class C OR, Dr. Ruff starts the J-Plasma Body Procedure with tiny, hidden incisions strategically placed based on the area of the body to be treated. Dr. Ruff will then use the J-Plasma device sub-dermally (under the skin) to deliver cold plasma, which instantly tightens, shrinks and rejuvenates skin from the inside out. Results are immediate and continue to improve as your body continues to heal.
Pain is minimal and can be lessened with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Patients may wear a compression garment for the first 72-hours. Mild swelling and bruising can take one to two weeks to resolve, however most patients are able to resume normal activities as early as one day post procedure.
Your upper arm lift procedure will be performed in our state-of-the-art surgical suite or at one of the area hospitals where Dr. Ruff operates.
The procedure is usually performed using general anesthesia and takes from 1 to 5 hours to complete depending on the extent of the procedure.
To start the surgery, the doctor makes an incision starting near the elbow, along the back of the arm, and into the armpit. Though the incision may be lengthy, it is placed in as inconspicuous a position as possible, toward the back of the inner arm. The exact placement of your incision will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.
Once the incision is made, the doctor removes excess fat and trims away unwanted skin. Stitches are then used to close the incision. Once the incision is stitched, gauze dressings and tape are applied over the surgical area and an elastic sleeve is placed over your arm to promote healing. These dressings and the elastic sleeve are to be worn at all times for several days after your surgery.
Activity | When |
|---|---|
| Shower or Bath | 2 to 3 Days After Surgery |
| Back to Work | 1 to 3 Weeks After Surgery |
| Driving | As Soon as You Feel Comfortable |
| Strenuous Activity | 6 Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars | Several Months to 1 Year |
In most cases, upper arm lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.
You usually go home shortly after your surgery is completed. You may be sleepy from the anesthesia and the area around your incisions will be sore, so you will need to have someone drive you home. Once you go home, you may want to have someone stay with you for the first few days because you may experience mild to moderate discomfort. Pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate as much post-surgery pain as possible.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you will feel tired from the anesthesia and may experience discomfort in the area of the surgery. Pain medication will alleviate much of the discomfort. There will be moderate swelling and bruising in the area of the incisions; this will gradually disappear within the first month after your surgery. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first 2 days.
You must wear the elastic sleeves placed over your arms after surgery at all times for the first several days after surgery. These sleeves help the healing process and will be removed at your postoperative visit with Dr. Ruff 5 to 7 days after the surgery.
Small amounts of bleeding and oozing are normal in the first few days after surgery. If you see more than just a slow staining of the gauze dressing, apply pressure to the area with your hand for 20 to 30 minutes to stop the bleeding. If this does not stop the bleeding, call West End Plastic Surgery. Heavy bleeding is rare, but if it does happen, call right away.
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery:
Everyone heals at different rates, and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
Like all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with upper arm lifts. During your initial consultation with Dr. Ruff and his staff of West End Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed and discussed. As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks by closely following the pre- and post-surgery instructions provided to you. Dr. Ruff and his staff of the practice will be with you every step of the way to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.
Most likely risks include the following:
Upper arm lift surgery removes excess fat and tightens and smoothes the skin in this area. These results generally last 5 to 10 years; however, large weight gain or pregnancy will affect how long the results last.
Options for improving the look of your upper arms include weight loss and exercise, especially toning exercises. VASERlipo may also greatly enhance the look of your upper arms.
Liposuction is sometimes used in addition to upper arm lift surgery to enhance the overall appearance of this area.
Dr. Ruff is one of the first specialists in the Washington, D.C. area certified to perform VASERlipo™, a much gentler form of liposuction that can be used to remove fat in the upper arm region.
Upper arm lift surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure.
Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.
