Plastic Surgery

Often times, people feel uncomfortable about wearing sleeveless clothing or are forced to wear larger sizes because of size and shape of their arms. Contouring the upper arms through a procedure known as Brachioplasty, remedies these concerns.

What is Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty, or arm lift, is the reshaping of arms. If involves removal of excess or sagging skin and may also include liposuction.

People who have sagging or drooping skin on the upper arms due to weight loss, aging, or genetics are good candidates for arm lift surgery. After the procedure, the arms appear significantly more trim, firm, and smooth.

How is it performed?

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Incisions vary depending upon the severity of the problem, but are either hidden entirely in the armpit or positioned along the inner surface of the upper arm. Excess skin and fat are carefully removed and matched with the opposite side. In certain cases, liposuction is used to remove fat before excess skin is cut out.

What is recovery like?

The surgical site is dressed in bandages for several days. Any discomfort is easily controlled with medications. A moderate amount of bruising and swelling is common but resolves within a few days. Any sutures are removed as deemed appropriate by Dr. Orloff.

What is the result?

After Brachioplasty, patients enjoy an improved appearance of the upper arms with a better balance to the upper body. Many patients have reported a freedom from the embarrassment of loose or floppy arms and the ability to wear shortsleeved or sleeveless clothing.

Your Initial Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Orloff will assess your situation, explain the procedure and discuss the results you can expect. You will have the opportunity to review before and after photographs. Dr. Orloff will encourage you to ask any questions you may have, since he feels that well informed patients are the best candidates for any surgical procedure.

Considering a Facelift?

As people age, the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun, and the stresses of daily life can be seen in their faces. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth; the jawline grows slack and jowly; folds and fat deposits appear around the neck.

A facelift (technically known as rhytidectomy) can’t stop this aging process. What it can do is “set back the clock,” improving the most visible signs of aging by removing excess fat, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin of your face and neck. A facelift can be done alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as a forehead lift, eyelid surgery, a cheek lift, chin surgery or nose reshaping.

The Best Candidate…

The best candidate for a facelift is a man or woman whose face and neck have begun to sag, but whose skin still has some elasticity and whose bone structure is strong and well-defined. People of all ages considering a face lift should consult a plastic surgeon to find out if it is the right procedure for you. A facelift can make you look younger and fresher, and it may enhance your self-confidence in the process. But it can’t give you a totally different look, nor can it restore the health and vitality of your youth. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

Planning Your Surgery

Facelifts are very individualized procedures. In your initial consultation, Dr. Orloff will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone, and discuss your goals for the surgery. Also, by evaluating your medical history Dr. Orloff can identify medical conditions that could cause problems during or after surgery. Be sure to tell Dr. Orloff if you smoke or are taking any drugs or medications, especially aspirin or other drugs that affect clotting.

Preparing For Your Surgery

Dr. Orloff will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding medications. Also, the use of supplements and vitamins can improve outcome and reduce healing time. Another important issue is preparing the skin for optimum results prior to surgery. We can help there with the right products and guidance. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly. If you smoke, it’s especially important to stop at least a week or two before and after surgery; smoking inhibits blood flow to the skin, and can interfere with the healing of your incision areas.

The Surgery

Facelifts are usually performed in an outpatient surgical center under general anesthesia. They normally take several  hours. Incisions are made in areas relatively hidden along the hairline and in the natural creases around the ear. During surgery, excess fat can be removed, muscles can be tightened, structures such as the cheeks can be repositioned and excess skin can be removed while redraping the remaining skin for a natural, more toned appearance. When performed by a qualified Plastic Surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. You can reduce any risks by closely following Dr. Orloff’s advice both before and after surgery.

After Your Surgery

Depending on the procedure or combination of procedures performed, swelling and bruising can occur, but your face will rapidly return to normal. As with any situation that involves healing, factors such as your health, fitness and adherence to your physician’s instructions contribute to recovery time. Also important to speeding recovery and maintaining results is proper skin care, which we are glad to assist you with.