With time, and fluctuation in weight, the skin around the upper arm and thigh, will tend to sag as it does everywhere else in the body.

An arm lift addresses this by removing the excess skin, and/or fat if required. With regards to arm lifts, this results in a scar in the inner arm area from the armpit to the elbow.

There are many types of thigh lifts that address excess skin and fat in the inner and outer thigh areas, with resulting scars which are either limited to the inner upper thigh, or which may extend along the length of the inner thigh, or along the groin area from the inner to the outer aspect of the thigh.

PROCEDURE

Depending on the extent of the procedure, this may be performed under a local or general anaesthesia, and the operation will last anywhere from 2-4 hours. You will need a drain and an in-hospital stay that may last for 2-3 days if you need an extensive resection, otherwise you will be allowed home the same day.

RECOVERY

Depending on the extent of the procedure, you may notice swelling and bruising of the area that will take about one week to settle.

You should aim to avoid sports for 6-8 weeks.

RISKS AND POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

These will be discussed with you during your consultation, including the risks that may be specific to you if you have a significant medical history.

It is important to take your time and consider them carefully. You will have the opportunity to return for a second consultation to discuss them further, as well as any other queries you may have.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Delayed Wound healing and problematic scarring
• Numbness around the scars
• Seroma (collection of tissue fluid that usually resolves alone, but occasionally may need aspiration in clinic)
• prolonged/persistent swelling
• asymmetry
• small skin excess at the ends of the scars/dog ears (these usually resolve with time, but occasionally need a small revision under local anaesthetic)

You can find more information at the BAPRAS site