Arm Lift Patients

This 43-year old patient is post-op gastric bypass surgery in 2000. After her massive weight loss, the patient was at her goal weight however, as a result of the weight loss, she had excessive skin under her arms and significant volume loss in her breasts.

The patient was interested in several procedures, but decided to proceed with arm lift surgery with breast augmentation and breast lift surgery (mastopexy) to complete her first stage of surgery. The patient had read many excellent reviews of Dr. Pousti and was very impressed with his experience. The patient knew she wanted Dr. Pousti to perform her body makeover.

With several surgeries being performed, Dr. Pousti met with the patient the night before surgery to again go over the different surgeries in detail and answer all questions and concerns the patient may have to make the patient as comfortable as possible before surgery. At this time, markings were also performed.

With markings performed, you can see were the “new” nipple and areola complex would be moved to create the “perky” appearance.

Arm markings show the extent of excess skin, which would be removed.

The patient is now 5-weeks post-op surgery and is still healing, she is extremely please with her results and is excited to proceed with her second surgery. The patient has saline filled breast implants filled to 600cc in both breast placed submuscularly.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Lift with Implants, Post-Weight Loss

This 58-year old patient from Murrieta, California (Riverside County) came in to see Dr. Pousti regarding arm lifting surgery (brachioplasty). As she got older, she became unhappy with how the skin of her arms “hung down” and she wanted them more proportionate to her body.

The effects of aging on the skin are familiar to all of us. Over time, the skin changes in four ways: it loses thickness, loses elasticity, loses adherence to the underlying tissue, and is affected by gravity. The amount of elastic tissue and collagen present in the dermis also decreases. One area where these changes are especially apparent is the upper arm. An arm lift–or brachioplasty–can lift and tighten up loose skin in the upper arms, resulting in a firmer, more youthful contour.

When she met with Dr. Pousti and his staff, she discussed her goals and she felt very comfortable with choosing Dr. Pousti for her surgeon. She viewed before and after photos and discussed the risks and complications of the procedure.

Dr. Pousti met with this patient prior to surgery to perform the “markings”. These markings are very important to the operation. Care must be taken to remove identical amounts to achieve symmetry between the two sides of the body.

The patient is now 6-months post-op surgery and is very pleased with her results.

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Posted in Arm Lift

This 43 year old from Riverside, California had bariatric surgery and was happy about the weight that she lost but didn’t like the hanging skin on her arms. She knew that she would need an arm lift surgery (brachioplasty).

She started researching plastic surgeons in Southern California and found Dr. Pousti. She visited Dr. Pousti’s La Jolla office with her husband and found Dr. Pousti to be very “comforting and soothing”. This patient knew that she was going to need multiple surgeries to get her body back to where she wanted it to be and after meeting Dr. Pousti she knew he was the best plastic surgeon for her.

Markings were performed the morning of surgery in detail. Care is taken to achieve the patient’s desired results. It is very important to be able to hide the scars as much as possible.

Immediately after surgery.

The patient is now 1-month post-op surgery and is very happy with her results. The patient moved to Arizona and is following up with Dr. Pousti via phone and e-mail.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Post-Weight Loss

This 38-year old patient had Gastric Bypass surgery in 2003 and lost 135 pounds.

After her massive weight loss, the patient was left with “saggy skin” and was interested tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), belt lipectomy, thigh lifting, arm lifting and breast augmentation and breast lifting (mastopexy) surgeries in different stages to achieve her results.

In order to achieve her desired look, her surgery would be performed in stages.

After her surgery was discussed in detail, the patient decided to proceed with arm lift surgery with breast lift and breast augmentation.

The morning of surgery, Dr. Pousti carefully performed markings in detail as a guide to achieve as much symmetry as possible during surgery.

The patient is now 2-months post-op surgery and is EXTREMELY happy with her results and will proceed with her planned surgeries.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Lift with Implants, Post-Weight Loss

This 36-year old patient from Vista, California (North San Diego County) was unhappy with the loose skin around her arms and abdomen. The patient had lost a significant amount of weight from weight loss dieting and exercising.

After losing weight, she visited Dr. Pousti’s office and was very pleased with her consultation. All of her questions were answered by Dr. Pousti and this patient felt very comfortable proceeding. Dr. Pousti was one of the Southern California Plastic Surgeons this patient had visited and she liked the fact that he was double board certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as General Surgery.

She was worried about performing all of these procedures at the same time, but Dr. Pousti assured her that safety was his primary concern.

The patient wanted fullness back in her breasts. She was interested in arm lift surgery (brachioplasty), breast augmentation with silicone gel breast implants, breast lifting (mastopexy) as well as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery.

The patient came into the Murrieta office the night before surgery to have tummy tuck markings performed. Dr. Pousti carefully measures and marks the patient as a guide for surgery.

The armlifting “markings” are performed the morning of surgery. Caution has to be taken to remove as much skin as possible to give a very natural look but not removing too much skin for a very tight and un-natural look.

In the operating room, Dr. Pousti performs the breast augmentation / breast lifting surgery with silicone gel breast implants to give the patient the “fullness” she was looking for.  Dr. Pousti sits the patient upright in the operating room (as seen above) with the temporary sizers in place to be able to see what adjustments need to be made in the size and shape of the breasts to achieve the patients goals.  The tummy tuck and liposculpture of the abdomen is performed. For the armlift procedure, Dr. Pousti uses a technique that hides the scar in areas so that they are minimally visible.

Both sides are complete – in the operating room. The incisions will heal into very light, fine lines.

The patient is now 2-months post-op surgery with silicone gel breast implants; 500cc were placed in the right breast and 450cc in the left breast for symmetry. The patient is extremely happy with the results of her surgery.

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Posted in Abdominoplasty, Arm Lift, Post-Weight Loss

This 33-year old patient from San Diego, California is post-op weight-loss and after losing 40lbs from diet and exercising, the patient had excess skin under her arms.

The patient was interested in arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) and found Dr. Pousti on the Internet. After several consultations, the patient decided to proceed with surgery.

Marking were performed the morning of surgery, and reinforced through out surgery in order to obtain the most symmetry as possible.

Dr. Pousti demonstrates the amount of skin which would be removed.

Dr. Pousti uses the best suturing techique in order to achieve the best results possible.

The patient is now 2-years post-op surgery and is very pleased with the results.

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Posted in Arm Lift

This 22-year old from Arizona is status post Gastric Bypass Surgery, after significantly losing 190lbs, the patient was left with loose skin under her arms and also she was unhappy with the volume lost in her breasts.

The patient was interested in a breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, and arm lift surgery (brachioplasty). After meeting with Dr. Pousti the patient knew he was the best surgeon for her.

The patient was “marked” the night before surgery; markings indicated where the incisions will be and how the procedure will take place. A breast lift (mastopexy) was performed with only a vertical scar (no horizontal scar, under the inflammatory fold). The “x” on the picture indicates where the nipple-areola complex will be moved. The arm lifting markings are kept as short as possible and hidden in the creases as much as possible.

Markings were reinforcee the morning of surgery and details of surgery were again explained in detail.

The patient is now 21-months post-op surgery with saline breast implants and filled to 525cc in both breasts, she is very pleased with the results of her surgery.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Breast Lift with Implants

This 43-year old patient from Alta Loma, California (San Bernardino County) is status post gastric bypass surgery in 2006 and lost 170lbs. Due to her quick and significant weight loss, the patient had a substantial amount of loose excess skin.

The patient researching for a Board Certified Plastic surgeon who is experienced in post weight loss patients and found Dr. Pousti through referrals and Internet.

During her consultation with Dr. Pousti, the patient was able to speak with patients who were willing to share their surgery experience with her. After seeing excellent results of Dr. Pousti’s work, the patient was convinced Dr. Pousti was the best surgeon for her.

Markings were made prior to surgery for the planned procedure.

“Z-plasty” was performed on the left axilla (armpit).

Z-plasty, is specially useful on the distal extremity and large wounds which, are under extreme tension after closure. Using the Z-plasty technique avoids complications such as scarring and contracture.

The patient is post-op upper body lift, arm lift (brachioplasty), and breast lift surgery (mastopexy) 1071 grams were removed in the right breast and 1072 grams in the left breast.

The patient was also interested in breast implants, but in order to minimize surgical risk, breast augmentation surgery would be safely performed in a 2-step procedure.

The patient is now 2-months post-op surgery with saline breast implants filled to 850cc in both breasts and is very happy with new and improved appearance.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Liposuction, Post-Weight Loss

This 45-year old patient from Riverside, California was uncomfortable with the excess skin she had under her arms from significant weight loss. The patient was interested in arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) for several years.

The patient researched for a surgeon who is Board Certified and experienced in arm lift surgery and found Dr. Pousti on the Internet. After reviewing the risk and complications of an arm lift, the patient decided to proceed surgery.

Marking were made in detail prior to surgery.

Dr. Pousti prepares the patient for surgery.

Immediately after surgery.

The patient is now 2-months post-op surgery and is very happy with her results.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Post-Weight Loss

With massive weight loss, in a short period of time, patients are often left with a significant amount of excess skin.  Because of the rapid weight loss, the patient’s skin doesn’t “bounce back” adequately, resulting in a multitude of problems including problems with moisture, skin break down, hygiene and body image problems (aesthetic concerns).  This excess skin remains a reminder of the person’s past problem with obesity and limits the patient’s satisfaction with the weight loss he/she has achieved.  Although patients are often very pleased with the improvement in their medical issues (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) achieved after weight loss, they are still not happy when they look in the mirror.  Plastic surgical procedures after weight loss may help the patient achieve their goals and significantly improve their self-image.  It is important to work with a plastic surgeon with extensive experience due to the fact that treatment of the post-bariatric surgery patient is unique in that the patient’s skin elasticity has been permanently decreased; potentially resulting in faster recurrence of some of the patient’s presenting complaints.  Dr. Pousti has helped many patients in this situation.

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Posted in Arm Lift, Body Contouring, Breast Lift, Breast Procedures, Post-Weight Loss