Armlift

• To undergo arm lift surgery, you must be in good health. It is vital that you do not smoke for at least four weeks before and four weeks after surgery

• You must not drink alcohol or take blood-thinning medicine (including supplements such as vitamin E and fish oil) ten days before and ten days after surgery (paracetamol is fine)

• You must not eat or drink anything from midnight before your surgery. A single sip of water is fine

• We recommend that you take at least one week off work

• Make sure you have enough paracetamol and ibuprofen at home for the recovery period

• We recommend taking zinc and arnica supplements one week before and after surgery to reduce swelling and bruising of the surgical area

• During the consultation or the day before your surgery, Prof. Dr Pirayesh will take pictures of your arms and mark the excess skin. In addition, photos are taken for your medical file

• A specialist anesthesiologist and his team will administer a light, general anaesthetic through an IV in your hand or arm. You will be monitored closely throughout surgery, and the team will ensure you are comfortable and safe.
  The anesthesiologist will discuss the type of anaesthesia with you before surgery and answer any questions you may have

• Excess skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue are removed through a Kris-shaped incision in the armpit along the inside of the arm up to the elbow

• After this, the small blood vessels are thermally sealed, after which the various skin layers are closed with small sutures

• Surgical tape is used to protect the wound seam

• Drains are placed to remove any excess blood or fluid that may be left after surgery

• You leave the operating room dressed in a compression garment: a long-sleeved vest

• Under the supervision and care of Prof. Dr Pirayesh and his team, you will remain comfortable in our surgical clinic for a few hours until you can go home. You need to be picked up or taken home by taxi; you cannot drive yourself

• Swelling and discoloration may occur during the first 48 hours after surgery, usually lasting seven to ten days

• You may have an elevated temperature during this time. This is not a problem as long as it stays below 38.5°C

• After one day, the drains are removed if the fluid production is less than 30 ml/24 hours or if Dr Pirayesh decides otherwise. If the drain fills up quickly, please get in touch with us. It is possible that some moisture is still leaking from the drain entrance; this is typically not painful

• After a week, the stitches and surgical tape are removed

• After the second check-up appointment, you will receive a special scar care cream

• The scars will be a little red and bumpy for the first few weeks. The skin needs time to heal. The skin around the scar may also be numb. After a few weeks, the sensation will return

• You develop a fever above 38.5°C

• The treated area on one side feels excessively red and painful

• The swelling and pain do not noticeably decrease after taking paracetamol and ibuprofen

• In case of persistent bleeding (it is normal for some pink fluid to leak out)

• You should not exert yourself too much, exercise, bend, lift or bend your arms

• During the first month, you should refrain from exercising your arms or playing contact sports under any circumstances

• You must not take any blood-thinning medication such as aspirin (including vitamin E or fish oil supplements) for ten days after the procedure (paracetamol is allowed), unless indicated otherwise

• Do not drink alcohol for the first ten days after surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding

• Important: do not smoke for the first four weeks after your surgery - every cigarette stops the blood supply (nutrients!) and therefore healing

• It is important that you do not place the drain under your body when sleeping; put it on a bedside table or beside you in bed

• You must not take a bath until the stitches have been removed

• Your car insurance prohibits you from driving yourself during the first two weeks after surgery

• It is better to avoid the sun and solarium for the first two weeks

• The entire recovery period usually takes about six weeks; during this period, you should refrain from heavy lifting, housework, or using sunbeds or sauna

• You will need to rest for a few days after surgery

• When you return home after surgery, take easily digestible foods such as water, tea and rusks

• You must leave the tape and sutures intact

• For optimal healing and minimal risk of infections, it is important that you adhere to the medication prescription of the anesthesiologist. You will receive a prescription for antibiotics and a suggestion for pain relief and stomach protection, which you can pick up without a prescription

• Make sure you get enough exercise every day: walk a few laps around your house every now and then

• You may sleep in any position that is comfortable for you

• The day after your surgery, you may take a short, supervised, warm (not hot) shower, taking care that the wounds don’t get too wet

• After two weeks you may gently bend your arms again

• After two to four weeks, you may fly (after the stitches have been removed). To reduce the risk of thrombosis and blood clots, you must wear your compression garment, you must not pull along, carry or lift suitcases, and you must get up every hour to walk around a bit

• As a rule, you will be able to resume your normal activities within a month

• After a month you can slowly resume exercising

As a rule, it is sufficient to take 1,000 mg paracetamol four times a day and if necessary 400 mg ibuprofen three times a day, combined with a gastric protector. We will provide you with a pain relief schedule after surgery. We strongly advise you to conscientiously take your pain medication during the first week after surgery, whether you experience pain or not. After the first week, you can ease off the medication, depending on the pain you are experiencing

• You must leave the tape and sutures intact. After the stitches have been removed by us one week after your surgery, we will reapply surgical tape on your wounds, which we will remove after one week

• You must apply the Alhydran scar cream we will provide you with on your scars 3 times a day

• After four weeks we will start the Laser Scar Care treatments developed by Dr. Pirayesh, which is included in your treatment plan

Rare: fluid retention, infections, a widened scar

An arm lift gives a beautiful contour to the upper arms and is a rewarding procedure for patients with excess skin after major weight loss. However, the long scars on the inside of your arms should not be underestimated. For best results, do not smoke and protect your scars, especially the first year, with SPF 30

After a few months, your scars will have faded, but will remain visible. Dr Pirayesh has developed a program, APS Scar Care, including aloe vera-based creams, laser treatments, and (if necessary) injections to ensure that your scars heal in the best possible way