The decision to have arm lift surgery is extremely personal. Only you can decide if the benefits, risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure.

The risks include:

  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Unsightly scarring
  • Fluid accumulation (seroma)
  • Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles
  • Fatty tissue under the skin might die (fat necrosis)
  • Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
  • Pain, which may persist
  • Sutures may not absorb, but spontaneously surface through the skin, causing irritation, drainage and redness
  • Possible need for revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.