General
Skin sagging on the upper arms is not as frequent and mainly comes with an advanced age in contrast to the thighs. There, depending on the quality of the connective tissue, loss of skin elasticity often starts at middle age exhibiting sagging and wrinkling of the skin coat. Especially arm lifting surgery needs to be discussed in detail with the patient because of the resulting scars. The pathway of the scar extends from the armpit crease up to the elbow on the inside of the upper arm so that it remains invisible when the arms are next to the body. The thighs will exhibit a scar laterally up to near the buttock crease. When accomplishing buttock lift the scar occurs along the crease. When healing properly it will hardly be noticeable.
Techniques
Before surgery the precise area of the body where fat is to be removed will be marked. A modern technique, the so called tumescent technique, is applied which diminishes bleeding and provides a better overview and is therefore more gentle. All lifts are dissected with an incision into a skin tissue and subsequently by elevation / folding of the skin margins the extend of excess skin is evident which will then be removed. The wounds will be closed by a multi-layered suture to avoid tension on the top most stitches and enabling the healing into an inconspicuous scar and thin scar.
Aftercare
There is hardly ever the need of drainages; the threads dissolve by themselves. After 1-2 days the patient may go home. You should avoid strenuous activities for 6 weeks on your arms and for 8 weeks on your thighs. It is important because too strong and early tension or pull on the wound can disturb healing and lead to an increase of the scar. It is advisable to wear a bodice after thigh- and buttock lift while recovering. For 3-4 months the patient should avoid direct insolation and the consequent pigment irritation on the scars.
