Excess skin on the upper arms is common and can be due to excessive weight loss, as part of the natural ageing process or loss of tone of the muscles. Some patients may have a predisposition genetically for this defect. Liposuction is normally not indicated as the skin shrinkage after fat removal in this area is often inadequate and may make the appearance worse.
The procedure
It is normally performed under a general anaesthetic and can be done as a day case procedure. An incision is made on the inside of the arm from the armpit to the elbow. You may require surgical drains to remove excess fluid after the operation. Sutures are normally removed after 10-12 days. Sometimes it is possible to perform the procedure through a more limited incision but that will restrict the amount of improvement that can be expected.
Complications
Normal scars are usually fine lines but can be raised and widened in some patients genetically predisposed to keloid formation. Infection of the wound is possible but some antibiotics will be prescribed. A collection of blood under the skin may form from a ruptured blood vessel and may need to be drained. A rare complication is the dissection of a cutaneous nerve branch running in the surgical field that causes numbness of the inner forearm skin (5%). Physiotherapy might help to easily regain your full range of movement after the 15 postoperative days that upper extremity motions are restricted.
After the surgery
You will need some assistance when returning home at least until the sutures are removed. Pain is normally moderate and can be controlled with oral medication. The scar will improve with time and is really best after 6 months to a year. Over a year time, no visible changes can be observed in scars