It’s never too early for a brachioplasty (arm lift) consultation with Dr. Bernard Beldholm, FRACS — even while you wait for the private health fund waiting period to end. It’s smart to book a consultation ahead of time for many reasons. Keep reading to find out why!
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A common question post-weight loss patients ask…
Lindy writes, “I had a gastric sleeve surgery in January 2019. I have so far lost 53 kilograms, with about 25 kilograms still to go. My arms have always been a horrible part of my body, and I always wear cardigans or long sleeves to hide them. I decided that no matter what, I will be getting them done once I hit that goal and my private health fund’s waiting period is over.”
The question is: When should she come in for an arm lift surgery consultation?
As you will discover in this article, it may be a good idea to come in for a cosmetic surgery consultation well before the health fund waiting period ends.
Why come in early for a skin removal consultation?
The journey to get surgery after weight loss doesn’t happen overnight.
There is a lot of planning to do. Here are five reasons to come in early for an arm lift consultation.
Planning your arm lift can take time if you plan to have other surgeries
Many post-bariatric patients have multiple areas with loose skin.(1,2) The abdomen is usually the first area on which patients hope to focus. (1) Some patients also want to treat excess arm skin with an arm lift .(1,2) Thigh lift surgery, a buttocks lift or lower body lift might also be considered. These surgeries don’t happen on the same day. They are typically spaced months apart and must be planned in advance.
If you are a candidate for an arm lift or other skin-tightening procedures, Doctor Bernard can help you plan out your surgeries. The sooner you come in for a consultation, the sooner you may be able to get the ball rolling — whether you plan to have an arm lift, tummy tuck or breast lift surgery.
You can come in for an arm lift consultation even if you haven’t reached your goal weight
The ideal candidate for an arm lift is at or close to their ideal weight. Even if you still have a few more kilos to lose before you’re ready for an arm lift, you are welcome to speak to Dr Beldholm about your surgical options.
During your consultation, he can let you know what to expect in terms of downtime, aftercare and costs. That way, when you are ready for an arm lift, you will already have a rapport with your surgeon and know what to expect if you decide to have surgery. Essentially, it is never too soon to start planning ahead or get information about your surgical options.
Your private health fund may have a waiting period
If you plan to use your private health fund to help pay for your arm lift, the process can be slow. You will need to submit paperwork from your surgeon, get price quotes, etc. The waiting period can take up to a year after you apply. The sooner you come in for a consultation and get the paperwork done, the sooner you may be able to schedule your arm lift surgery.
Private health fund rules
The rules are if you are using a health fund to pay for post-weight loss cosmetic surgery, the item number for the surgery must match the condition you are experiencing. For example, if you want to use your private health fund to help pay for your arm lift, you will need to meet the criteria for that specific item number to qualify for coverage.
At the consultation, Doctor Bernard examines the patient and determines if they are eligible to use the arm lift item number. Certain criteria must be met. For example, the patient must suffer from rashes and discomfort from loose skin in addition to cosmetic concerns.
3 rules for private health funds to pay for cosmetic surgery
The three criteria are that patients must have:
- Lost five BMI levels
- Suffer from medical conditions such as rashes and discomfort in the area to be treated
- Maintained a stable weight for six months.
Private health funds typically have a 12-month waiting period for patients that meet the criteria above.
You may need to switch to a different Health Fund, and that can take time
There are many Health Funds on the marketplace. It is essential to have the right coverage to qualify for financial help paying for surgery.
If you don’t have the correct level of coverage, they will not cover you for that item number. Some patients find they need to change their private health fund in order to get the coverage they need.
If you aren’t sure, Doctor Bernard will be glad to help. Simply bring your paperwork for the health fund to the consultation.
Early release of super
If you plan to use a superfund early to help pay for your arm lift, then you must apply to the ATO first. There is a lot of paperwork needed to qualify for early release of super. A consultation is one of the steps that must occur before submitting paperwork.
If you are eligible, Doctor Bernard’s office will provide you with the paperwork you will need to get approved. This includes a price quote.
You will also need paperwork from your GP (general practitioner). Patients must also get a quote from the hospital and anaesthetist. This process can take a couple of months. So if you are thinking of getting any sort of body contouring surgery that qualifies for early release of super, just come in.
It’s much better to come in early, know your options and then plan for it rather than wait too long.
Your arm lift consultation options
There are two ways to meet Doctor Bernard for an arm lift consultation.
In-person consultation
You can come into the office to meet Doctor Bernard for your consultation. An in-office consultation has the benefit of a physical exam. This allows him to examine your arms and assess the quality of your skin to determine if an arm lift is right for you. You will also have an opportunity to learn about the cost of arm lift surgery, possible risks and have all your questions answered. If you plan to use your private health fund, he can provide the paperwork you will need to apply.
Video consultation
Many patients have asked, ‘Do you offer virtual consultations for arm lifts?’
The answer is Yes.
Doctor Bernard began offering Zoom consultations during the pandemic to make it more convenient to discuss arm lift surgery. SInce then, he has continued making this service available, allowing patients to discuss the private fund via Zoom —without travelling.
However, patients must still come in for a physical examination with Doctor Bernard prior to surgery. While video has been helpful for assessing skin removal, nothing beats a physical exam.
How much does an arm lift consultation cost?
Doctor Bernard charges a consultation fee. You’ll only pay the fee once, even if you come in for more than one consultation. The consultation fee is non-refundable.
That is true even if you decide to get an arm lift, tummy tuck, etc. a year after the consultation. At that point, you’ll need to come in for a follow-up before surgery day. Follow-up consultations, after paying for the first consult, are free.
Types of arm lifts
Loose arm skin is a common complaint among patients who’ve experienced significant weight loss,(3) leaving unwanted arm skin hanging once the arm fat is gone. This is both cosmetically displeasing and a source of discomfort from skin rashes and irritation in skin folds. (3)
The type of arm lift depends on on the amount of excess skin that is present. Options include:
- Mini Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
- Full Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
- Extended Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
- Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) with VASER Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction)
Brachioplasty pros and cons
Are you thinking of undergoing brachioplasty? Here are factors to consider.
PROS
Removes excess arm skin and fat
Brachioplasty removes extra skin and fat that hangs on the upper arms. Suction-assisted lipectomy (liposuction) refines excess fat, while brachioplasty surgically removes the excess skin. When performed by an experienced surgeon, brachioplasty can alter the appearance of the arms from elbow and armpit. (4)
Reveals toned arm muscles
Removing excess skin and fat may make it easier to see the results of your hard work in the gym. Without extra skin and fat in the way, the existing muscles are more readily visible. After a brachioplasty procedure, some patients are also inspired to exercise and make better lifestyle choices. (5)
Lets you wear clothes you like
One of the many benefits of brachioplasty is the freedom to wear what you like. Without all that loose arm skin, some patients are more inclined to wear short-sleeve tops that show off their arms, even though they will have a surgical scar. This can be a relief in Australia’s hot weather, opening opportunities to wear coolor clothing to work and social events.
CONS
Long Scar
One of the most common complaints after brachioplasty surgery is the scar left behind, which is usually quite long. Patients with minimal excess arm skin are generally the ones more concerned about scarring. Individuals with a lot of extra arm skin are usually less worried about scars because they find benefit of the loss of hanging arm skin to far outweigh the scarring. Though it will never completely disappear, the scar heals well in most cases (6,7). A small number of brachioplasty patients develop raised or wide scars that may be cosmetically unacceptable. (6,7)
The brachioplasty scar usually isn’t visible from the front. With the arms relaxed at your sides, it may not be seen at all. Each patient is different, however. Doctor Bernard makes it a point to discuss scarring with you during your consultation. He feels it is important that patients know what to expect without any surprises.
Is brachioplasty surgery worth it?
Now it’s time to weigh the pros and cons. Only the indivual can decide whether the scar, downtimes, and discomfort is worth the benefots of brachioplasty surgery. While you contemplate whether brachioplasty is right for you, Doctor Bernard is happy to help advise you and answer questions.
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33674198/
- https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/517587
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00238-021-01934-x
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2010105816659882
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4934463/
- https://www.redalyc.org/journal/559/55965388016/55965388016.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166161/
