Brachioplasty (shoulder plasty)

Plastic surgery on the hands is performed with cellulite, which deforms the shoulder line, with fat deposits, lethargy, and folds of the integument, the excessive thickness of the shoulders, in which the skin sags and forms the so-called “bat wings”.

The procedure for correcting the shape of the shoulders is contraindicated in severe obesity, problems with blood clotting, diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathologies, hypertension.

Surgery to remove sagging skin on the inner surface of the arms can be performed transaxillary or classically. The first technique is extremely gentle. It involves removing a small (elliptical) area of ​​skin and fatty tissue in the armpit and securing the sagging tissue at shoulder level. With large volumes of sagging tissue, a large incision has to be made and a correspondingly noticeable inelastic skin area is excised.

Before the shoulder lift surgery, the patient undergoes tests (urine, biochemistry and general blood test, coagulation test, HIV test, syphilis, hepatitis B and C), which are prescribed by the doctor, undergo specific tests, and makes an electrocardiogram. This usually takes 1 to 3 days.

The brachioplasty procedure itself in Ukraine lasts up to 3 hours. It takes place under general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with sedatives is also possible. First, the lines are marked along which the surgical scalpel will pass, then the inner surface of the shoulder is cut.

In this case, the shape can be longitudinal or as a “fish”. With a T-shaped incision, a visible scar cannot be avoided, with an S-shaped incision, the scar is not so noticeable, and after a few months, it disappears altogether.

When tissue is excised with a laser beam or radio wave apparatus, the consequences of the operation are less pronounced. Additional steps include liposuction. Mandatory: the imposition of cosmetic sutures and aseptic dressings, tight elastic bandaging.

Rehabilitation in a hospital environment will take 2-3 days. 24 hours after surgery, to avoid complications, it is necessary to wear compression underwear, which is important to wear for a month.

After 1–2 weeks, the stitches are removed. Side effects such as bruising and swelling disappear after about 30 days. All this time, physical activity should be avoided, especially if the hands are involved. The scar will turn pale and disappear after 4 months.

If the patient’s weight does not increase in the future, the lasting result will last for life.

The result is understood as the following changes:

• the skin of the hands becomes elastic and taut;
• the silhouette of the shoulder looks perfect;
• it becomes possible to wear clothes with short sleeves and not be complex about this;

hygiene problems are eliminated, which are inevitable in the presence of excess skin.

The cost of surgical intervention depends on the amount of work and materials used and is calculated by the doctor in each case individually.

During any surgical intervention, there are risks of complications. But the MC Dobrobut plastic surgery clinic employs leading specialists in this field. Here they have everything for successful body shaping: the necessary tools, the most modern equipment. The patient enters the safe hands of highly qualified plastic surgeons and can be calm about the result. And this result after lifting the shoulders will give confidence and improve the quality of life!

For information on prices, as well as an appointment for a consultation, call or order a call through the feedback form on our website.

1. Di Pietro V, Colicchia GM, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Arm Contouring After Massive Weight Loss: Liposuction-Assisted Brachioplasty Versus Standard Technique. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2018;11(2):73-78.
2. Simone, Pierfranco, et al. Postbariatric brachioplasty with posteromedial scar: physical model, technical refinements, and clinical outcomes. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 141.2 (2018): 344-353.
3. Egrari S. Brachioplasty: A Personal Approach. Aesthet Surg J. 2016 Feb;36(2):193-203.
4. Abboud, Marwan H., Nicolas M. Abboud, and Saad A. Dibo. Brachioplasty by power-assisted liposuction and fat transfer: a novel approach that obviates skin excision. Aesthetic surgery journal 36.8 (2016): 908-917.