Extremes
Brachioplasty
What is brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is a surgical operation, the purpose of which is to reshape the back of the upper arm, that is, the point from the armpit to the elbow. This is an operation that treats once and for all the sagging of the skin in the specific area and removes excess fat and skin resulting in a reduction in the diameter of the arm and overall improvement in its appearance, making it smoother and firmer.
In which cases is brachioplasty applied?
As we age, the skin on our arms tends to sag. This can also happen due to significant weight loss. Although exercise can help us to strengthen the muscles and deal with sagging to some extent, it is not going to help us get the completely firm and youthful result that we dream of. This can only be achieved through brachioplasty.
More specifically, brachioplasty is recommended in cases of:
- Simple lipodystrophy, where simple liposuction is performed
- A small degree of relaxation, which can be plastic surgery with a relatively small and not particularly visible incision in the armpit, in combination with liposuction, if necessary.
- A greater degree of relaxation, where plastic surgery is performed with the complete removal of excess dermofatty tissue, with an incision from the armpit to the elbow, which is hidden, however, in the lower (back) part where there is a color change between the white color of the inner side and the darker of the back, but remains forever.
Therefore, the issue of the postoperative scar should be discussed in detail, pre-operatively, with the person concerned, and the plastic surgeon should sincerely help him in the decision of the operation, weighing the degree of the problem with the forced existence of a scar and urge him, only if he himself would recommend her to himself.
What is mini brachioplasty and in what cases is it applied?
Mini brachioplasty is more suitable for patients who do not have excessive excess skin and fat in the upper arm. The procedure involves a single, crescent-shaped incision under the armpit and has much smaller scars than a regular brachioplasty.
What should I know before and after surgery?
It is important to discuss the desired result with the specialized plastic surgeon and have the entire procedure explained to him before undergoing a brachioplasty operation. Also, the patient will be asked to do hematological, radiographic and cardiographic examination. Before surgery, it is recommended to stop smoking, as well as avoid taking aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also recommended to avoid nutritional supplements and vitamin supplements.
Brachioplasty is not accompanied by a demanding recovery, as already the day after the surgery, the patient can be served by himself. You should of course expect a slight swelling, which of course subsides in 10-15 days. Patients should do no heavy lifting or excessive strain on their upper limbs for 2 weeks after surgery, and can return to work after 3-4 days and resume driving after 7-10 days. Also, for better healing, the use of special ointments is recommended, while the stitches are not removed as they are absorbed by the body.
What are the possible complications?
Brachioplasty is an absolutely safe operation performed under mild general anesthesia. Of course, the experience and expertise of the doctor plays an important role, so that you get an even and aesthetically good result. Nevertheless, as in any surgery, here too, there is a minimal rate of complications.
Brachioplasty complications are very rare and include hematoma, infection, hypertrophic scars and a slight swelling of the upper extremities that subsides after the first few weeks.
What is the cost and price of the operation?
The cost of brachioplasty depends on several factors. Among them is both the degree of relaxation and the technique to be followed, such as for example normal or mini brachioplasty. The specialized plastic surgeon will direct you according to the severity of your case and your needs.
Calf Liposculpture (Ten-Leg)
The calf is considered the most prominent and most frequently displayed anatomical element of the female lower limb and for this reason its semiological importance in the aesthetic evaluation of the whole body is considered particularly high in the Western world. Together with the breast, it is a symbol of femininity and sexuality. The existence of the gastrocnemius muscle, which is considered the most beautiful muscle in the body, also contributes to this.
Proper nutrition and systematic exercise can partially help to change this aesthetic unit to a more harmonious one, but heredity, unfortunately, has the biggest role.
The proportion of its volume, with the neighboring anatomical elements , namely, the knee, the thigh and the end of the leg, give this aesthetic harmony, which we try to approach with the help of plastic surgery, when this is required.
Of course, we cannot intervene in the muscles, bones, or tendons (e.g. Achilles). But we can manage subcutaneous fat. With combined techniques of liposuction and lipoprosthesis (liposculpture), we can make interventions and improve these proportions to the most harmonious, slimming some points and inflating others.
These operations are performed without incisions . Of course, it may be necessary to intervene simultaneously on the knees or thighs, with the exception of the lower legs, where this is not possible. If a large volume increase is required in the gastrocnemius muscle, we can achieve this with silicone inserts placed under the innervation of this muscle (referred to in the “calf augmentation” chapter).
The change of the length of the tibia (height), can, with complex, laborious and time-consuming orthopedic techniques (illisarov) theoretically be achieved to a small extent, but due to all the above negatives, plus the existence of deformed scars, it is not recommended practically, for beauticians, only, reasons.
The calf is an important aesthetic element of the woman . Genes play the biggest role in her aesthetics. Plastic surgery can partially intervene, significantly improving, several times, its aesthetics.
The plastic surgeon, with his experience and honesty, will help the interested party to decide when and if a cosmetic operation is worth it, weighing the pros and cons each time, depending on the case.
Calf Enhancer
In cases where the shin (calf) is disproportionately thin, in relation to the rest of the leg (thigh), such as, for example, in cases of atrophy after poliomyelitis (contralateral only), or in hereditary cases, or in body-building athletes, etc., we can increase its volume, if we wish, with special techniques. We must not forget that the calf is the main organ for support and walking.
These methods are:
Gradual augmentation with lipotransfer (fat grafting)
From the same patient always, from other areas that have excess fat. (e.g. Thighs, abdomen, buttocks, etc.).
The augmentation is done by injection, in more than one stage (2 – 3 sessions), because this way it has been proven that a greater percentage of transplanted fat survives permanently, than if the same total amount of fat is applied in one session. To survive, the transferred fat needs to be placed in an area with good blood supply, such as the gastrocnemius muscle. The operation is performed without visible incisions, like liposuction. The condition, of course, is that there is excess fat in other areas for liposuction. Recently, by using special techniques that enrich the transferred fat with a greater number of stem cells, more tumor can survive and perhaps fewer sessions are needed. Of course, this requires a large amount of excess fat in the patient, and it costs much more financially.
Incremental with insert
As in breast augmentation, we can also increase the calf area with specially made inserts.
The incision is made in the pubic region (behind the knee), and is not particularly visible. Inserts can be placed in both the inner and outer stomach of the gastrocnemius muscle, depending on the deficiency, so that the result is more natural. There are various sizes and anatomical shapes, which cover the special needs of each interested party and achieve a very good aesthetic result. There will be a little difficulty in walking for the first few days.
Augmentation with injectable materials
Hyaluronic acid, hydrogel, liquid silicone, paraffin, etc
They cannot maintain their position, show problems in the future, etc., and therefore are not recommended and should be avoided.