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Tight- and Armplasty
Armplasty
(Brachioplasty)
The
skinredundancy is commonly located to the inner-sides of the upper arm. Technique:
The skin is incised on the inner side of the arm from the elbow to the axilla,
from where it can go curvilinear across the axilla or angled to either side of
the axilla. The skin is mobilized and redraped and tightened. The scar will run
according to the incisions and not always be invisible! Anaesthetic:
Conscious sedation and local tumescentinfiltration. Operating
time: 2-3 hours. Armplasty
After weightreduction the elasticity of the skin might be insufficient
to redrape the skin over the new volume of the body. This is often seen in the
face, on the neck, arms, abdomen and thighs.
The same sagging of the
skin can occur with ageing. Sagging skin on the arms and on the thighs is often
considered unaesthetic and embarrassing and skin redundancy can only be corrected
by excision. What
happens afterwards?
 | Moderate
pains, BUT Very strong feeling of tension. | |
The stitches are removed around the 10th day. | | Prophylactic
antibiotics are prescribed. | | Using
skintape across the scars for 2-3 months should relieve tension on the scars.
| | Car
driving is forbidden for 10 days. | | The
arms should not be allowed to be lifted up-, out- or backward for 2 weeks. |
| Transient
numbness on the upper arm is common for 1 - 2 months. | Complications:
See below Thight
plasty
After weightreduction the elasticity of the skin might be
insufficient to redrape the skin over the new volume of the body. This is often
seen in the face, on the neck, arms, abdomen and thighs. The same sagging of the
skin can occur with ageing.
Sagging skin on the arms and on the thighs
is often considered unaesthetic and embarrassing and skin redundancy can only
be corrected by excision. The skinredundancy is commonly located at the inner
sides of the thighs, in some cases all way around. Principle:
The skin is mobilised off the muscles and redraped upward like a stocking and
shortened. Anaesthetic:
General anaesthetic. Technique:
If skinredundancy on the inner sides of the thighs is to be corrected, the incisions
are placed high up in the buttock-thigh-fold going close to the major labium and
somewhat upwards parallel to them. If the skin is very flaccid, a vertical incision
down to the knees might be necessary. If the whole circumference of the thighs
need stretching, the incisions go circular as well. The skin is mobilized and
shortened. A circular compressing bandage is applied. Operating
time: 2 - 5 hours. What
happens afterwards?
| Antibiotics
are prescribed. | | Annoying
postoperative care because of the site of operation. | | Uncomfortable
feeling of tension, especially at change of position. | | 3
- 4 days of fatigue are common. | | You
should not sit normally during the fist 10 days (semisitting, lying and standing
position is recommended) | | You
should shower daily. | | The
stitches are removed around 10th to 12th days. | | Irritation
around the scars is common. | | Physical
activities must be avoided for 5-6 weeks. |
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COMPLICATIONS
FOR TIGHT- AND ARMPLASTY
Referred unwanted biologic events can occur with
a certain low frequency and must be regarded as calculated risks. Other risks
not mentioned can also occur. For patients this must be considered before a decision
for plastic surgery is made. Bleeding:
All operations can cause postoperative bleeding. These risks increase by the intake
of analgesics and Vitamin E. These should be avoided 2 weeks prior to the planned
operation. Infection:
All operations can cause infections, which in case it happens will be treated
with antibiotics. The placement of the wounds in surgical "unclean"
areas increases the risk of infection. Scars:
The forces of gravity and the continuous movements of the area cause a constant
tension on the scars. The scars can be broadened. Nerve
injury: Some of the sensory nerves to the skin on both arm and thigh will
be cut and transient or permanent numbness is unavoidable. Smoking:
Smoking does compromise bloodcirculation and healing. Smoking should be abandoned
prior to a planned operation | The
text has been edited and controlled by Dr. Per Gunnar Opitz by Opitz plastikkirurgiska
klinik in Malmö, Sweden | 
