BODY PROCEDURES
Arm reduction
Arm reduction (brachioplasty), is a procedure for patients who have lost a lot of weight following diet and exercise, or a bariatric procedure. Many patients complain of chaffing and pinching of the loose skin, particularly around the arm pit.
The procedure may involve liposuction or direct excision of skin and fat, or a combination of both surgical techniques. Depending on how much loose tissue is present, the scars can be short or run the entire length of the inner upper arm. In some patients, the scar extends on to the side of the chest to remove loose tissue that sags over the bra line.
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for this procedure – item #30171. If you are eligible and meet Medicare’s medical criteria, you may also be eligible for a subsidy from your private health insurance, depending on your level of cover and policy. Check with your private health insurance fund.
In most cases, surgery can be undertaken with a single overnight stay in hospital.
Recovery is typically up to 6 weeks, depending on wound healing, your level of activity etc.
General risks and
complications of
this procedure
All invasive surgical procedures have a degree of post-operative pain or discomfort.
- Infection in the wound with resultant redness, pain and possible discharge.
- Rarely, suture lines may come apart requiring prolonged dressings and secondary surgery.
- Possible bleeding in the wound with swelling or bruising and possible blood stained discharge.
- Very rarely a blood transfusion is required and a return to the operating room to evacuate the clot.
- Delayed wound healing above the expected time can require prolonged dressings and convalescence.
- Secretions may accumulate in the lungs causing a chest infection
- Clotting may occur in the deep veins of the leg or pelvis, and rarely the clot may break off and go to the lungs (embolism).
- Circulation problems to the heart or brain may occur and may result in a heart attack or stroke.
- Some of these complications may necessitate a prolonged hospital stay and return to the operating theatre for corrective surgery either immediately or some time after surgery.
- Death is possible during or after an operation due to severe complications.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sodales ante eu iaculis varius. Vivamus lacinia quis tellus a porttitor. Maecenas commodo lobortis lectus, a efficitur lectus semper sit amet. Fusce ultricies accumsan ultrices. Donec lobortis velit quis metus finibus dictum. Aliquam a lectus diam. Sed placerat massa ut pulvinar sagittis.
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Sed vitae elit id elit varius aliquam. Pellentesque vulputate felis justo, ut mollis ipsum eleifend vel. Vestibulum laoreet hendrerit purus, a iaculis dolor consequat nec. In quis efficitur nisl, ac efficitur Leo. Curabitur eleifend mi nec Leo pellentesque, vel rutrum lorem interdum.
Donec interdum ultricies velit a mattis. Sed consectetur, nisi et maximus bibendum, eros nulla feugiat libero, vel sagittis enim ligula sodales ipsum. In porta nisi at ultricies porttitor.
Curabitur vitae diam enim. Duis semper lorem vel placerat facilisis. Ut quis aliquet eros, et consectetur lorem. Pellentesque metus nulla, dignissim non mi ac, dictum lacinia nibh. In feugiat sit amet purus eget ultricies. In hac habitasse platea dictumst.
Specific Risks include
- Swelling and scar formation is unlikely to be fully resolved for 18 months following surgery
- Scars can be of poor quality and may require revision surgery
- Sensory Changes – the area of skin on the inner arm may be numb for up to 12 months. Sometimes this loss of sensation is permanent and may extend into the forearm
- Seroma formation is a collection of fluid under the skin. This can occur above the horizontal scar, and may require drainage. If it occurs, it takes a few weeks to absorb. To avoid a seroma it is necessary to limit movement of the arms in the first post-operative week.
- Dissatisfaction with cosmetic results. These include scar deformities, asymmetry of the abdomen and positioning of the umbilicus
- Cosmetic concerns may also lead to medical complications
- Weight fluctuations will further alter the shape of the arms
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My vision is to provide my patients with the best outcomes possible and excellent patient care.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
