What causes saggy arms and big upper arms? How can it be fixed?

Flabby arms are caused by fat accumulation, with excess fat in the upper arms and changes in the skin, particularly in women as they age or after rapid weight loss. The main causes include genetics, diet, exercise, age, gender, and fat accumulation.

The problem of large, flabby, sagging, and loose upper arms is a common concern for everyone, especially women. It can make wearing certain outfits less flattering and affect confidence. Some may try exercising or undergoing treatments, but these methods may not always be effective. Wearing clothing to conceal the upper arms is one option, but brachioplasty is a more definitive solution. This procedure can permanently correct sagging arms, restoring firmness and a more sculpted appearance, ultimately boosting confidence in dressing and overall self-image.

What causes saggy arms and big upper arms?

• Dietary habits and nutrition contribute to flabby arms. These include consuming excessive amounts of fatty, sugary, and high-sodium foods or frequently eating large portions in one sitting. Fat accumulation leads to fat accumulation. If regular exercise is not done, sagging skin problems may occur.
• Rapid weight loss: Losing body weight too quickly, meaning losing 1–2 kilograms per week, results in sagging skin. Rapid weight loss, such as gastric reduction surgery, gastric balloon insertion, and postpartum weight loss, may cause rapid slimming, and the skin may not shrink in time with the weight loss. This results in sagging and loose skin, especially in the abdomen, thighs, and upper arms.
• Aging and collagen reduction: Collagen is a protein that helps keep the skin elastic. As we age, our body produces less collagen, causing the skin on our arms to lose elasticity and sag. We should take good care of our health.
• Liposuction without wearing compression garments: After localized liposuction, patients should wear compression garments, as they help press the treated area, ensuring excess fat is completely removed and helping the skin retract into shape more quickly. If compression garments aren’t worn, residual fat may remain, and the skin may not fully retract, causing sagging skin in the liposuction area.

What is Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms, resulting in firmer, more contoured arms. It helps reduce flabby arms, eliminates excess skin or stretch marks in the upper arm area, and boosts confidence when wearing short-sleeved clothing. This procedure is suitable for individuals with sagging arms, excessive loose skin, or “bat wings” due to lack of skin firmness.

The surgeon will mark and design the incision from the underarm to the elbow before removing excess skin and closing the incision with sutures. In some cases, liposuction may be performed alongside the procedure to achieve better results.

Who is Brachioplasty suitable for, and how does it help with sagging arms?

Brachioplasty is a procedure to remove sagging skin and excess fat from the arms. Generally, this surgery is suitable for individuals with the following characteristics:

• Those with significantly sagging arm skin who have not seen results from other methods, such as weight loss, exercise, or laser treatments.
• Those with excess fat in the upper arms and no time to exercise.
• Those with sagging arms due to aging.
• Those with sagging arms caused by rapid weight loss.

Brachioplasty, a special technique at Masterpiece Hospital

The technique for arm skin removal is called Brachioplasty. It is a surgery to remove excess skin and sagging fat from the upper arms. This is typically done by making an incision from the underarm down to the elbow. The excess skin is then removed, and the incision is closed with stitches. The location of the incision may vary depending on the arm’s condition and the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed, but the doctor will try to hide the scar as much as possible.

• The Diamond Line Arms Lift technique begins with an incision from the underarm down to the elbow, with the incision shaped like a diamond. The surgeon will remove the excess skin and close the incision using dissolvable sutures. This technique helps make the scar smaller and easier to hide compared to the classic method.
• The Tension-free Brachioplasty technique involves tightening the excess skin without cutting it, which results in a smoother scar and reduces the risk of scarring.

The removing excess skin technique at Masterpiece Hospital, performed by experienced doctors, can be done for both individuals with a lot or a little excess skin. The scars after surgery are smooth and beautiful. This procedure can be done for tummy tucks, thigh lifts, back lifts, belly button reshaping, and pubic area modifications. The results of the surgery can last for many years.

Preparation before Brachioplasty

Preparing for Brachioplasty surgery is very important. If not properly prepared for the surgery, complications may arise during the procedure, which can cause obstacles during the surgery. Therefore, you should be well-prepared before undergoing the surgery as follows:

• Consult with a surgeon before the surgery to plan the surgery according to the patient’s needs.
• Provide medical history: Including any drug allergies and current medications to evaluate the need to stop certain medications.
• Undergo a physical examination: Blood tests and other special tests as recommended by the doctor.
• Avoid supplements such as fish oil and certain herbal medicines that affect blood circulation for at least 2 weeks, as they may cause excessive bleeding.
• Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages of any kind at least 2 weeks before surgery to promote faster wound healing and prevent infection after surgery.
• Avoid food and drinks for 6 hours before the surgery to prevent food aspiration into the lungs during the procedure due to anesthesia.

Brachioplasty process

Brachioplasty surgery is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms to make the arms firmer. The surgery can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the doctor’s discretion. The steps of the procedure are as follows:

• Anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
• The surgeon will mark and design the incision, then cut the arm, typically around 15-25 centimeters long, depending on the amount of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed.
• The surgeon will remove the excess skin from the incision and trim the arm muscles to create a natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• The surgeon will close the incision with sutures.
• The duration of the Brachioplasty surgery depends on the

The duration of the Brachioplasty surgery depends on the amount of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed, but typically takes about 2-3 hours. After the surgery, the patient will need to rest in the hospital for 1-2 days before returning home. The doctor will provide post-operative care instructions for recovery.

Self-care after Brachioplasty

Self-care after surgery is crucial for ensuring a quick and safe recovery. Patients should strictly follow the doctor’s instructions, along with the following care guidelines:

• Pain relief: Pain is common after surgery. Patients should take pain medication as prescribed by the doctor. If the pain is severe, they should inform the doctor.
• Wound care: Patients should keep the surgical wound clean and dry at all times. They should not scratch or touch the wound directly with their fingers. If there is bleeding or discharge from the wound, they should notify the doctor.
• Physical movement: Movement helps improve blood circulation and alleviates pain. Patients should gradually begin moving their bodies and slowly increase activity intensity as their body allows.
• Eat nutritious food: Patients should consume easily digestible, nutritious foods, such as soft foods and fruits and vegetables. They should avoid high-fat or hard-to-digest foods.
• Get enough rest: Patients should rest adequately, at least 7-8 hours per night, to ensure the body fully recovers.

Side-effect of Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty has no serious side effects if performed by an experienced surgeon in a standard hospital. However, the following complications may occur after the surgery:

• Swelling and bruising: These are common after surgery and usually improve within 1–2 weeks.
• Pain: There is often pain around the incision area. The doctor will prescribe pain relievers to ease the discomfort.
• Infection: Although rare, an infection around the surgical site can occur if the wound is not properly cared for.
• Scarring: Scars from Brachioplasty are typically long and follow the natural contour of the arm. Over time, the scars will gradually fade.
• Unwanted results: Unwanted results, such as asymmetrical arms or raised scars, may occur if the surgeon lacks expertise.

Additionally, patients with certain health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, may have an increased risk of complications from Brachioplasty. If patients have concerns about possible side effects, they should consult a plastic surgeon before deciding to undergo surgery.

What are the benefits of Brachioplasty at Masterpiece Hospital?

• The surgeons at Masterpiece Hospital have extensive experience in cosmetic surgery, with results that are highly regarded by both Thai and international patients.
• Masterpiece uses advanced and safe technology for Brachioplasty procedures, such as the Diamond Line Arms Lift technique, a specialized method unique to the hospital, ensuring both effectiveness and safety.
• The hospital prioritizes patient satisfaction by engaging in detailed discussions and consultations to ensure the results meet the patient’s expectations.
• Post-operative care is also a key focus, with a dedicated medical team and nurses providing close attention to ensure safe and quick recovery.

Brachioplasty at Masterpiece Hospital is a great option for those seeking a beautiful, firm, and toned body, offering patients confidence in being cared for by an experienced medical team with advanced equipment and excellent post-surgery services. The results are sure to be satisfying and transformative.