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Plastic Surgery Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Chicago

Before & After
Before & After

* Individual results may vary.

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Smart Liposuction arms, no visible scars!
I am 44 years old and have had “batwings” for arms since I can remember. They got worse with pregnancy and I was done and wanted them fixed! I went to three Plastic Surgeons for advice. Dr. Laurie Casas was the only one who gave me options and all under local anesthesia. We decided to pretreat my arms by applying a moisturizer twice a day and starting an arm and shoulder exercise plan to help hydrate my skin and improve the contour of my arms and shoulder. After 3 months she said I was ready to have Smart lipo of my arms and axilla or Brachioplasty, both under local anesthesia. I chose Smart Lipo. The day was amazing. No pain and a feeling of being cared for by her amazing staff. It’s been 6 months and my arms look amazing. I have a tiny bit of excess skin close to my armpit but I don’t want a visible scar so I am done. Dr. Casas and her staff are wonderful. Once you meet them you will know you’ve gone to the best place.”

* Individual results may vary

An arm lift can help to restore the appearance of upper arms that have become loose and flabby due to skin laxity caused by aging or as a result of weight loss. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Laurie Casas specializes in cosmetic surgery of the body and can provide you with excellent results from your arm lift procedure in Chicago.

Arm Lift Candidates

A candidate for an arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a person whose arm skin has become loose and saggy due to aging or weight loss. An arm lift will remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin to restore a more youthful appearance.

During the initial consultation, Dr. Casas will evaluate your skin elasticity and the amount of excess arm skin. Together, you will discuss your areas of concern you will determine whether a standard arm lift or a “modified” arm lift with or without liposuction will achieve your desired result.

Arm Lift Results

The results of this body contouring surgery will be visible. Unfortunately, incisions for “standard” arm lifts are extensive and cannot be concealed when wearing short-sleeve or sleeveless clothes. The pros and cons of scarring will be discussed. If the excess skin and fat of the upper arm prevents a patient from wearing “normal” clothing, the benefits of this procedure may outweigh the extensive scarring that can typically result. An in depth consultation will allow you to better understand whether an “arm lift” will meet your expectations.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage, administered by massage, is used after each procedure to reduce swelling. The number of sessions is individualized. It is important that patients follow a healthy lifestyle leading up to and following procedures, including non-smoking, a healthy diet and daily vitamins. Click here to learn more.

Arm Lift Recovery

Dr. Casas and her team use Alastin Products with Tripeptides and Hexapeptides to improve and hasten your recovery following procedures.  Her research shows that using topical treatment following procedures, there is less postprocedural swelling, pain and discomfort. There is also an overall improved skin quality visually and to the touch.   Here at Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we strive to optimize patient experience and satisfaction following procedures. Read her research here…
Topical Treatment with Tripeptide and Hexapeptide Following Body-Contouring Procedures Improved Patient-Reported Recovery Outcomes

The Cost of an Arm Lift

The cost of your arm lift procedure in Chicago can vary based on several factors. During your initial consultation with Dr. Casas, she can answer any questions you may have about the arm lift procedure, go over the expected cost of your arm lift, and let you know about the payment options we offer.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are bothered by the flabby appearance of your upper arms and would like to know if you are a good candidate for an arm lift, contact Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation for your arm lift procedure in Chicago. Dr. Casas is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who can provide you with the personalized surgical care you need. She is dedicated to providing the best arm lift results Chicago has to offer.

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* Individual results may vary

Arm Lift Frequently Asked Questions

If you are contemplating an arm lift in Chicago, then it is important that you know the overall cost. In Chicago, the average cost for an arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is around $4,800, but there are often other important costs which are not included. These costs involve the experience level of your surgeon and the operating facility.   In addition to these factors, other costs separate from the actual arm lift surgery in Chicago may include the type of equipment used, the location of the clinic, and the anesthesia needed. Your surgeon’s fee is also a separate fee and will be determined by their experience and any additional specialties or certifications they hold.  Other fees to consider related to your brachioplasty cost in Chicago include:
  • Medical test fees
  • Prescription fees
  • Follow-up appointment fees
  • Cost for protective garments and wraps
The cost for an arm lift surgery in Chicago can also be found by researching arm lift reviews online. These reviews, from previous patients who have had a brachioplasty, will include many important factors such as if the desired results were achieved, the level of professionalism, and if the brachioplasty procedure was worth the cost and the time.
Once you have been discharged from your arm lift surgery in Chicago and are recovering at home, you can expect some pain. The level of pain stemming from your brachioplasty in Chicago can be light to moderate, but it is tolerable and well controlled with the proper use of the pain medications and anti-inflammatories prescribed by your doctor.  You may also experience intermittent shooting pain following your procedure. This type of pain is normal and is due to the healing of the sensory nerves and tissue at the site. This pain and associated discomfort can also be controlled with medication. If your surgeon placed a temporary drain, then there may be some added discomfort. After a week of recovering from your brachioplasty in Chicago, the amount of pain should be considerably less, to the point there is no need to take any prescribed pain medication. You may, however, want to continue taking over the counter pain medicine to help with ongoing tenderness. Bruising and swelling will still be present though decreasing. While mobility will be improved, you may still feel tenderness while moving your arms.
It is important to understand that your health insurance provider will view the arm lift (brachioplasty) as an elective cosmetic procedure, so your procedure will not be covered. However, you may be able to obtain a payment plan through the surgeon’s office. To obtain the best plan for your budget, reach out to the office at 847-657-6884. There are some extenuating circumstances in which a brachioplasty may be covered by insurance. Some examples may include extensive weight loss and bariatric surgery. If any complications occur as a result of your procedure, your insurance may also cover it. It is important to check with your insurance carrier prior to scheduling your brachioplasty to ensure you understand what is covered and what is not covered.  Since the average arm lift procedure is not covered by insurance, you will need to be sure to budget, so you have the necessary funds to cover your brachioplasty procedure.  
If you have saggy arms, then a brachioplasty will be the best procedure to resolve the issue. Often referred to as an arm lift, brachioplasty is a cosmetic surgery that improves your arms' definition and tone. The procedure accomplishes this through:
  • Skin removal
  • Fat reduction
  • Tissue tightening
  • Skin smoothening
While the arm lift surgery in Chicago is best for skin tightening, you can also have your surgeon perform liposuction to help sculpt your arms. Liposuction can be included with brachioplasty to eradicate fat deposits dieting fails to remove. Having a brachioplasty does not prevent the sagging from returning should you gain weight. In order to sustain your results, a healthy weight must be maintained prior to and following the brachioplasty procedure.  
Scarring present following a brachioplasty will vary dependent on the extent of surgery and the loose skin present. When traditional arm lift surgery in Chicago is performed, there will be some scarring due to the incision. If liposuction is combined with your brachioplasty, the scarring will be very minimal.  While your brachioplasty surgeon will utilize the latest surgical techniques to reduce any scar, the scar itself may be hard to hide on this specific body part outside of keeping your arms covered. Typically, the scarring of brachioplasty will run along the underside of the upper arm from the top of the elbow to the lower armpit. When the incision is closed by sutures or staples, the body will begin its natural healing process of repairing itself by producing a scar through the production of collagen. However, unlike tissue collagen, which appears woven, the collagen following an incision will be in a straight line and result in a scar in a haphazard pattern. Your scar may appear raised, thin, shiny, thick, or flat, or the area may even appear as a bumpy keloid. By keeping creams and lotions applied, you will aid the repair process and strengthen the collagen fibers to keep the scarring as minimal as possible.  
As an upper arm lift procedure, the brachioplasty is able to target the fatty areas of the upper underarm. It is designed to remove excess fat and the sagging, loose skin. On average, a brachioplasty in Chicago is able to remove close to two pounds of fat from the upper arms. However, this does not mean it is ideal for weight loss. Instead, the brachioplasty is designed to correct the arm’s flabby skin. Although the fat is removed through the brachioplasty, this cosmetic surgery will not improve your overall health. For this reason, brachioplasty is not an alternative to exercising or dieting. However, when sagging skin appears, it can cause you to become self-conscious or even depressed. As a result, the removal of excess fat and skin can help improve mental health and self-image, especially after unrelated weight loss has taken place.

In the Media

Dr. Laurie Casas is quoted as an expert throughout the world, and can be found on television, online, and in national publications such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Cosmopolitan Magazine.

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