After weightreduction the elasticity of the skin might be insufficient to redrape the skin over the new volume of the body. This is often seen in the face, on the neck, arms, abdomen and thighs.
The same sagging of the skin can occur with ageing.
Sagging skin on the arms and on the thighs is often considered unaesthetic and embarrassing and skin redundancy can only be corrected by excision.

Armplasty
Brachioplasty

The skinredundancy is commonly located to the inner-sides of the upper arm.

Technique: The skin is incised on the inner side of the arm from the elbow to the axilla, from where it can go curvilinear across the axilla or angled to either side of the axilla. The skin is mobilised and redraped and tightened. The scar will run according to the incisions and not always be invisible!

Anaesthetic: Conscious sedation and local tumescentinfiltration.

Operating time: 2-3 hours.

What happens afterwards?

• Moderate pains, BUT Very strong feeling of tension.
• The stitches are removed around the 10th day.
• Prophylactic antibiotics are prescribed.
• Using skintape across the scars for 23 months should relieve tension on the scars.
• Cardriving is forbidden for 10 days.
• The arms should not allowed to be lifted up-, out- or backward for 2 weeks.
• Transient numbness on the upper arm is common for 1 - 2 months.

Complications

Referred unwanted biologic events can occur with a certain low frequency and must be regarded as calculated risks. Other risks not mentioned can also occur. For patients this must be considered before a decision for plastic surgery is made.

Bleeding: All operations can cause postoperative bleeding. These risks increase by the intake of analgesics and Vitamin E. These should be avoided 2 weeks prior to the planned operation.

Infection: All operations can cause infections, which in case it happens will be treated with antibiotics. The placement of the wounds in surgical "unclean" areas increases the risk of infection.

Scars: The forces of gravity and the continuous movements of the area cause a constant tension on the scars. The scars can be broadened.

Nerve injury: Some of the sensory nerves to the skin on both arm and thigh will be cut and transient or permanent numbness is unavoidable.

Smoking: Smoking does compromise bloodcirculation and healing. Smoking should be abandoned prior to a planned operation