Arms

The Goal of Arm Lift Surgery

Loose skin that hangs from the upper arms is most commonly the result of large weight loss. As a result of significant weight gain, the skin is greatly stretched, which causes it to lose its ability to retract and conform to the body's new contours when weight is lost. This hanging skin is frequently a source of embarrassment that makes it difficult to wear sleeveless clothing and swimsuits with confidence.

An additional factor which can cause the upper arms to have a flabby appearance is the accumulation of fatty deposits in this area. In arm lift surgery, a firmer, slimmer appearance is restored to the arms through the removal of excess skin and fat and tightening of the underlying supportive tissues. The surgery achieves the following goals:

Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz

An Innovative Leader in Body Contouring Surgery

As the nation's first triple board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Henry Mentz is respected nationwide for his introduction of innovative liposuction and body contouring techniques. Dr. Mentz, who is considered a world authority in the specialized liposuction technique, Abdominal Etching®, authored the first paper on Abdominal Etching® in 1993 and contributed a chapter on the subject for a plastic surgery text. The procedure is designed to define the contours of the abdominal muscles to create the athletic appearance of a "six-pack." He followed this with the development of Pectoral Etching®, a liposuction method which gives the male chest a more muscular appearance.

Dr. Mentz introduced a groundbreaking new method to improve buttocks augmentation surgery to the respected International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at its 2010 meeting. The technique utilizes a special pump to speed the process and volume of fat that can be grafted into the buttocks, resulting in a fuller, more shapely contour than can be achieved through the more limited and cumbersome syringe method of fat grafting.

In recognition of his body contouring expertise, the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has invited Dr. Mentz to present his liposculpting techniques to plastic surgeons at its annual meetings each year. In the popular lipocontouring course, Dr. Mentz focuses on Abdominal Etching® and buttocks augmentation, a topic which he teaches with the world authority on buttocks enhancement, plastic surgeon Constantino Mendieta.

Dr. Mentz has presented his techniques to advance body contouring's safety, recovery, and results through numerous presentations and publications for plastic surgeons. He wrote the first paper introducing the use of a marcaine pump after tummy tuck surgery to reduce postoperative pain. In addition to authoring three book chapters on liposuction, he has written papers on large volume liposuction and the use of blood thinners after liposuction to reduce blood clots. The ASAPS and Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation jointly awarded Dr. Mentz the "Best Journal Article of 2008" for his article which presented risk assessment for liposuction based upon a review of 3871 consecutive cases.

The Arm Lift Procedure

The incision length for an arm lift largely depends on the amount of excess skin that is to be removed. In general, the incision stretches from the axilla (underarm) to the elbow. In cases where less skin removal is required, a semi-circular incision may be made in the underarms.

If there is excess fat, this will be removed using liposuction. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the underlying tissues are tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches or stitches that will be removed in 1-2 weeks. An arm lift procedure is completed in 1-3 hours.

Dr. Mentz performs all procedures at his private AAAASF-certified SurgiCentre facility in Houston, Texas, where you will be carefully monitored and cared for by a board-certified anesthesiologist and Dr. Mentz's highly trained surgical staff.

Arm Lift Recovery

Following your surgery, Dr. Mentz may recommend an overnight stay in one of his SurgiCentre's recovery suites, where you will be cared for by our highly-trained registered nursing staff. If you live within 30 miles of our facility, Dr. Mentz will offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse who is trained to assist you with your recovery. The nurse will monitor your recovery, change any dressings, assist you with your medication, and provide Dr. Mentz with an update on your condition.

To reduce swelling and help your body conform to its new contours, you may be fitted with a compression garment which will be worn for approximately four weeks. Bruising and swelling diminishes within 1-2 weeks. Most patients are able to return to work in a week and resume exercise in about four weeks.

.The results of an arm lift are typically long-lasting provided that you maintain a stable weight.

The Added Touch Medical Spa

Services to Support Your Recovery

30-Minute Post-Surgical Therapeutic Massage

The massage therapists at Dr. Mentz's Added Touch Medical Spa offer a special post-surgical massage that is designed to support and speed your body's natural healing process after a cosmetic surgery procedure. A combination of lymphatic and Swedish massage techniques are used, which work together to relax you and stimulate the lymphatic system to help reduce bruising, swelling, and numbness.

Scar Therapy System

To help diminish postoperative scars, we have designed a Scar Therapy System, which consists of three products to be applied daily in the weeks following surgery. This package includes two SkinMedica products: TNS Recovery Complex and Tri-Retinol Complex, and an advanced scar treatment gel. As an added benefit, the SkinMedica products can be applied to the face as part of a long-term daily routine to improve the skin's tone and texture.

To schedule an arm lift consultation with Dr. Mentz, e-mail or contact his office by calling 713.799.9999.

Arm Lift Before and After Photos

 

Before After