Brachioplasty Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get body contouring if I am overweight?

Yes.   Body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) is best indicated for removed excess tissue after weight loss or after preganacy, but body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift)  can be performed on some patients that are overweight. The closer the patient is to ideal body weight, the more ideal the situation for body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift).    While some have recommended and safely performed body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) for massive weight loss, it is not recommended in my practice.  Rather, I generally recommend weight loss by a combination of exercise and nutritional counseling under the care of a physician rather than an immediate body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift).  In some cases I recommend consultation for weight loss surgery (if patient’s weight is more than one hundred pounds overweight).  Body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) can be done after weight loss in many patients.

Can I get body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) after gastric bypass (bariatric surgery)? 

Yes. Body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) after gastric bypass (bariatric surgery) is very common.  The best results for body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) are obtained if the the patient has lost all the weight that they want to lose and their weight has become stable (weight has not changed much for several months).  The combination of bariatric surgery and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) can give dramatic results.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):591-600, vi.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):601-10, vi.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):611-24, vii.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):27-51; discussion 93.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):53-71; discussion 93.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):95-104; discussion 105

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):107-14; discussion 121

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):115-20; discussion 121.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):11-26.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):141-7; discussion 149

Is body contouring safe?

Yes.  While there have been adverse outcomes with body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), and there are always inherent risks with any surgery, body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) is generally considered safe in good candidates.  There are many factors that affect safety of body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift)  that include, but are not limited to, the training and expertise of the surgeon, the suitability of the patient for the body contouring procedure (the patient is a good candidate for body contouring), the anesthesia technique used for the body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), the patient’s ability to follow instructions after the body contouring procedure (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), and the particular body contouring technique and body contouring procedure chosen by the patient and the physician.

Plast Reconstr Surg.    2006 Aug;118(2):517-22; discussion 523-4.

Plast Reconstr Surg.    2006 May;117(6):1797-808

Ann Plast Surg.         2005 Mar;54(3):256-9

Plast Reconstr Surg.    2004 May;113(6):1807-17; discussion 1818-9

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Jan;35(1):173-83.

How much body contouring can be done at one time?

Large amounts of excess tissue can be removed by body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift)during one surgery, and the number of procedures that I recommend varies widely depending upon the patients particular situation.  The factors that determine how many body contouring surgery procedures (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift)  can be performed at one time include but is not limited to, the weight of the patient, the physical condition of the patient, the particular surgical procedures that are indicated.  The particular body contouring procedures (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) that are indicated, and the number of body contouring procedures that can be done at one time are determined in conjunction with a personal consultation. 

How much pain can I expect after body contouring?

While there is some pain after body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), the pain is well controlled with oral pain medicine.  Some patients do not require any pain medicine after body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift).  In almost all patients that receive body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), the pain subsides and is minimal after one week. 

How long before I can go back to work after body contouring surgery?

In general, most patients can easily return to work in about five days after the body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift).  When a patient returns to work after body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) is also dependant on what type of work of the patients.  Patients whose jobs do not involve physical labor can generally take less time to return to work after body contouring surgery (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), and patients with jobs that do require physical labor

For small liposuction procedures, patients frequently return to work the same day or the day after the liposuction.

What happens if I gain weight after body contouring surgery?

One can gain weight after body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), but the weight gain will generally be in a different pattern after the body contouring procedure since the localized areas of fat and skin have been removed.

Will body contouring get rid of cellulite (skin irregularities) or stretch marks?

Yes. In general, if the stretch marks or cellulite (skin irregularities) are in the area of body that will be treated by body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift), then the stretch marks or cellulite (skin irregularities) can be removed.

Can body contouring tighten the skin? 

Body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) can tighten the skin by removing loose skin, but it cannot change the inherent elasticity (stretchiness) of the skin. 

Can abdominoplasty improve my flanks (sides)?  

Yes.  Abdominoplasty (body contouring) can be performed so that the flanks (sides) are tightened at the same time.  The standard abdominoplasty (body contouring) is modified so that there is more tightening in the lateral aspect of the midsection.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):523-37, v.

Can body contouring be performed with liposuction at the same?

Yes.  Liposuction and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) can be performed at the same time (during the same procedure).  Liposuction and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) are commonly performed together.  For example, the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is commonly performed with liposuction of the flanks and/or hips. 

Ann Plast Surg. 2006 Aug;57(2):149-53.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):571-81, vi.

Clin Plast Surg. 2004 Oct;31(4):539-53, v.

Can body contouring be performed with breast augmentation at the same?

Yes.  Breast augmentation and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) can be performed at the same time (during the same procedure).  Breast augmentation and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) are commonly performed together.  When breast augmentation and body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift) are performed together the recovery time is changed very little if at all.   In my practice, breast augmentation (breast implants) is commonly combined with other procedures including body contouring (abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, brachioplasty, arm lift, thigh lift).

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Jul;118(1):207-12; discussion 213-4.

I have read a lot about body contouring, and I have talked with several physicians, and I am very confused with all this conflicting information. 

Medical opinions will vary from doctor to doctor.  When opinions vary, it generally does not mean that one is right, and one is wrong, but rather that based on study and personal experience, surgeons have different opinions and recommendations.  Reasonable physicians can have differing opinions, and those differing opinions should not be cause for undue concern.  It is very important for patients to be well informed before making any decision about any surgical procedure, and in that process it is commonplace to get differing opinions from physicians.  It is very important to know that your surgeon is properly trained, which increases the likelihood of getting a mainstream opinion.  While it is impractical to review the entire medical literature on this web site, the previously mentioned scientific articles do represent respected opinions in this area of Plastic surgery.

Important considerations when learning about emerging (new) technology or products in Plastic surgery:  When studying emerging technology, it is important to consider peer reviewed scientific studies to answer questions of efficiency and safety.  In some circumstances, new technology is touted as the “magic wand” for a particular procedure, and scientific studies sometimes suggest otherwise.  Scientific studies should be done in a manner where the persons acting as researchers have no conflict of interest and no other motive for a particular finding other than seeking the honest truth.  Any person with a conflict, such as ownership in company that profits from the sale of an emerging technology, could bias the final findings of a study.  Many scientific publications, such as the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,  have very strict rules regarding conflict of interest which gives studies published in that journal high credibility.   While peer reviewed journals can have studies that draw different conclusions, information in these peer-reviewed journals is generally considered to be a primary source for accurate unbiased information.  Any other issues you have questions about will be discussed with you at the time of your liposuction (suction lipectomy) consultation with Dr, Herring.    

Questions?  Contact the Cape Fear Plastic Surgery office in Fayetteville, NC.