Arm Lift
As is the case with other parts of the body, arms can become flabby with age with the skin becoming looser and hanging in folds due to rapid weight loss or simply gravity over time. A brachioplasty, or “arm lift”, is a procedure which consists in the removal of a piece of skin from under the upper arm. This allows for the tightening of the arm in this location and a removal of the loose flaps of skin that are otherwise present. This procedure usually results in a scar that is able to be concealed when the arm is placed at the patient’s side. However, like other surgeries, this depends on the procedure and where the incision needs to be made.
Who Should Have Brachioplasty Surgery?
Individuals who typically receive the surgery are those who have experienced rapid weight loss which has left their skin loose around the upper arm. Although brachioplasty will remove excess skin, the procedure itself will not remove fat or affect muscle tone. However, some patients do choose to receive liposuction concurrently with the procedure in order to remove excess fat from the area. There are also other procedures available that would help in the improvement of muscle tone and these can be discussed with the surgeon.
Although patients are given the option of either local or general anesthesia, most surgeons recommend the use of general anesthesia for patient comfort as the procedure lasts for approximately two hours. The surgeon will begin by marking the excess skin that is to be removed and the anesthesia is administered after the marks are made. Incisions are typically made on the underside of the arm and the skin is removed. At this time, liposuction may also be utilized to remove excess fat from the area. The area of the incision varies, typically beginning around the armpit and reaching as far down as the elbow in some cases. When closing the wound, the surgeon stretches the remaining skin to cover the wound and then sutures the incision. As is common in other cosmetic surgeries, a drain is sometimes used in order to ensure that excess fluid is removed from the area to prevent pooling and to promote more rapid healing.
After Arm Lift Surgery
The majority of brachioplasty procedures are inpatient with patients being able to return home one day after the procedure. Pain medications are typically prescribed for the first few days after the surgery with over the counter medications such as ibuprofen replacing the prescriptions soon after. Aspirin should be avoided during the recuperation time due to its blood-thinning components which could lead to an increase in bruising and bleeding.
Due to the excision made during the procedure, temporary swelling as well as tingling of the hands may occur within the first few days following the surgery. The scar that results from the brachioplasty will always vary from person to person based upon their body’s capacity to produce scar tissue. In some patients, scars might be quite visible whereas in others, the scar may be hardly visible. The sutures that are used during the operation will be placed underneath as opposed to above the skin. This, combined with the use of dissolvable sutures, will hopefully allow for a scar which is less visible. The sutures typically dissolve between one and two weeks after the surgery.
How Soon Can I Exercise After Brachioplasty Surgery?
Following the procedure, it is necessary for the patient to avoid rigorous exercise for approximately one week with full recuperation usually seen between one and two weeks after the surgery. The outcomes of the procedure are typically very positive with patients experiencing greater confidence due to the improved shape and firmness of their arms. However, with time, the area will most likely once again begin to sag due to gravity although the results of the surgery last for quite an extended period of time.
As is the case with any operation, other complications can sometimes arise although their occurrence is quite rare. Among these are the breakdown of the wound, bleeding, and infection which can occur after the surgery and can delay the recovery process. Another possible side effect of the surgery is loss of nerve sensation in that area of the arm. This numbness is often temporary but, in some cases, remains as a permanent condition. Although also very rare, pulmonary embolism is another possible risk. This occurs when fat and blood clots are released during the procedure into the blood stream. Fortunately, however, all of these side effects are very uncommon with the only inevitable side effect of the procedure being the presence of a scar.
There are certain patients who should not receive the procedure among these are those that have previously had a mastectomy. During this procedure, the lymph glands’ ability to drain fluid from the arm may have been damaged. Because of the location of the brachioplasty, performing the “arm lift” may lead to increased swelling following the surgery due to the body’s inability to drain the fluid.
Expected Results From Arm Lift Surgery
As mentioned previously, brachioplasty results in a shapelier, contoured arm. However, due to the natural progression of time, gradually the arm will begin to lose shape again. Despite the tightness of the arm directly after surgery, the tissues will eventually begin to relax and loosen. This slackening of tissue is particularly true of patients that continue to lose large amounts of weight following a brachioplasty. In individuals such as this, the rapid weight loss will result in loose folds of skin again becoming apparent on the under arm. Older patients typically have this problem more than younger patients as their skin has less elasticity which would otherwise allow the skin to reform over the current amount of fat and muscle in the arm. If loose skin again begins to form, it is possible for the surgery to be repeated with the old scar being used as a point of incision. However, this would carry with it an additional cost. Also, because of the tightness of the skin following the procedure, patients will sometimes experience stretching of the scar, making it more visible which, again, can be corrected but at an additional cost.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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