Why the breasts and arms go together
After large weight loss, skin loses its ability to retract. The breasts deflate and drop, and the skin on the upper arms hangs. These areas are often the ones that bother people most, and the incisions for each are in nearby areas, so some people ask to treat both at once.
Benefits of one stage
A single anesthetic and one recovery can reduce time off and let you see your overall shape change sooner. A plan made together also lets the surgeon design the breast and arm incisions so they work with each other.
Considerations
Both areas limit use of the arms in the early weeks. After an arm lift, raising and using the arms is restricted, and after breast surgery, the same is true. Doing both at once makes everyday tasks harder in the first weeks, so help at home is important.
- Your weight should be stable, usually for several months, before surgery
- Good nutrition, particularly protein, supports healing
- Arm lift scars run along the inner arm and are permanent; they are discussed in detail beforehand
- Risks include swelling, wound healing problems, nerve irritation, asymmetry and more surgery
- Operating time is limited for safety, so a two-stage plan is sometimes better
What the breast portion may include
Options include a lift, a lift with autoaugmentation using your own tissue, fat grafting, or an implant when volume is wanted. See our page on breast reshaping after weight loss for more.
Is it right for you?
The decision depends on your health, your goals and how much work is needed. At a consultation, Dr. Jaberi will tell you whether combining is reasonable or whether a staged plan will be safer and give a better result.