I) Before treatment Back

« An arm lift makes the whole of the upper body look younger and more athletic. As the skin there will be tighter and smoother, you would be able to wear short sleeved tops again. »

« There are two ways we get a natural looking arm lift, firstly by situating the scar as precisely and discreetly as possible, which only a well-experienced surgeon can do really well; secondly by making sure we do everything we can to get even results, possibly combining the skin reduction with liposuction to remove flabbiness, ensuring smoothness all along the arm. »

« During your preparatory consultation with the anaesthetist or the surgeon, we would ask you for the results of a general medical examination to spot any medical contraindications. You should take no aspirin or anti inflammatory medicines for ten days prior to your visit. »

« You would need an overnight stay for this type of procedure. »

« The treatment lasts about one and a half to two hours. »

« Either a local or a general anaesthetic is needed for this type of procedure, depending if the opening in situated just in the armpit or if it extends to the elbow. »

« The objective is to reduce fat in the inside arm and tighten the skin. We do this by removing a ribbon of skin, either just from the armpit, or when needed, from down the inside of the arm. If there is only a moderate amount of skin to be removed then we do it via an S shaped 7 or 8 cm ribbon removed from the armpit, which would moderately tighten skin when the arm is held horizontally.
If the skin is very wrinkled or if there is more fat there, then we remove a ribbon from armpit to elbow . »

« If light surgery is needed, the scar is place in the armpit transversally and practically invisibly, even with arms raised. In more extensive surgery there would be a scar down the inside arm, needing to be very precisely placed as it would be visible with short sleeves. »

« We take all active measures before, during and after treatment to reduce risks, namely of haematoma and infection, to the minimum. We prescribe antibiotics from two days before to seven days after treatment and carry out preventive surgical procedures during treatment. Sensitivity in the area may be decreased temporarily. Any risks associated with the anaesthetic will be clarified during pre-treatment interviews . »

« There is a very low risk of phlebitis for this type of treatment. It consists of a blood clot appearing in the deep veins of the leg, which can detach and move to the lungs, causing a lung embolism. We can effectively deal with this risk using anti-coagulants and support stockings during your whole stay. During the treatment, we also do leg massages. So far, we have had no cases of phlebitis at all. »

III ) After treatment : Back

« This is not especially painful treatment, it is rated at 2.5 on a scale of 0-10 by patients. Your inside arms may well have tingling sensations, which will disappear after a period of one to three months. »

« You will see most of the results (70%) immediately and residual swelling will disappear after about three months. »

« You will have a check up after 10 days, then three weeks, then over six months. Of course you can make an appointment at any other time too. »

« We apply light support bandages which you replace by silicone strips to improve cosmetic quality. You can shower as soon as you like after leaving the clinic. »

« After two weeks you should start gentle arm and shoulder exercises to loosen up the entire area. »

« You can start work after 48 hours if you have a sedentary job, although if your job is more physical especially in the arms then you should wait for 10 days. »

« You should not do any strenuous sport or any activity involving wide arm movements for a six week period. »

« You have to consult your local health authorities and your private health insurers to see if you can be supported financially following a serious illness or congenital deformation, for example. »