Arm Lift & Thigh Lift
 


Upper Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)


Good Candidates
A brachioplasty or upper arm lift is an appropriate option for healthy patients with loose, excess skin on the arm. Among body contouring procedures, brachioplasty is less popular because the scars are often more visible, but in appropriate patients the trade of scar for improvement in contour is life altering.


How It’s Done
Brachioplasty is performed under sedation or general anesthesia. Depending on your examination and goals, the incision may be placed on the back of the upper arm, or inside the arm between the biceps and triceps muscles. In those with a large amount of excess skin, an additional incision in the armpit may also be recommended. After the initial incision, liposuction is performed to reduce the volume of the arm tissue and the excess skin is excised according to the artistic markings placed by Dr. Soto preoperatively. Temporary closure is completed and further liposuction performed to fine tune the shape of the arm prior to placement of a drain tube and final closure. Dressings consist of skin glue and/or tapes and a compressive garment is placed to minimize swelling and assist in healing and the achievement of the desired shape.


Recovery
The support garment is worn at all times for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Showering is permitted the day after surgery, as is the resumption of light, everyday activities. The drain tube is removed in the office a few days after surgery. The average patient requires narcotic pain medication for 2-3 days after surgery. You may drive once this is no longer required and you are comfortable enough to do so (typically day 4-5). Heavier activities and exercise may be resumed after 4-6 weeks.
 

____________________________________________


Thigh Lift


Introduction
Whether the result of weight loss or the aging process, the thigh area is often affected by the appearance of poorly elastic, redundant skin. Modern techniques for reducing and lifting the thigh area offer excellent options for restoration of a pleasing and more youthful contour.


Good Candidates
Interested patients should be healthy enough to undergo a surgical procedure, and your body weight should be stable for at least 4-6 months prior to surgery in order to achieve the best result with the lowest risk.


Options in Thigh Lifting
Depending on your anatomy, goals and the quantity and quality of skin present in the area of concern, Dr. Soto may recommend contouring the area with suction alone, VASER liposelection for improved skin contracture, excisional thigh lifting (where excess skin is removed as well), or most often, some combination of these techniques. The incisions are typically placed high in the groin; in cases of severe skin redundancy an additional incision in the medial thigh area may be recommended.


How It's Done
Liposuction of the area is first performed, with or without ultrasound or laser assistance. The excess skin is then excised according to the artistic skin markings created with Dr. Soto preoperatively. Temporary closure is completed and further liposculpture is performed in order to optimize the shape and desired contour, and final closure is completed. In occasional patients it is necessary to place a drain tube, which will be removed in the office a few days after surgery. Dressings after surgery consist of skin tapes or glue, to minimize the risk of infection and assist with healing.


Recovery
The sensitive nature of the operative area creates a requirement for careful hygiene after surgery, with attention to moisture control and activity restrictions. The average patients will require narcotic pain medication for 4-7 days and showering is allowed the day after surgery. You may drive once you no longer require narcotics, and you will be supplied with a compressive garment, which should be worn at all times (except to shower) for 4-6 weeks. Exercise and other activities requiring exertion may be resumed after 6 weeks, depending on your comfort level, although light activity will be possible much sooner.

In properly selected patients, thigh lifting is a wonderfully positive and lasting improvement to shape and lifestyle. Call Dr. Soto today to discuss your goals!