The skin of the upper arms is tightened by removing a strip of skin on the inside of the upper arm.

Before the procedure, the amount of skin to be removed from the standing patient is "estimated" by a "pinch test" between thumb and index finger and this area of skin is recorded. The actual amount of skin to be removed is determined during the procedure itself, and then the skin edges are temporarily sutured together.

At the top, a Z-plasty is sometimes inserted to interrupt the straight scar line which makes the scar less noticeable and avoids too much tension here.

1.5 to 3 hours

Local anesthesia as full anesthesia possible

• Temporary swelling and numbness

• Hemorrhage (rare)

• Infection (rare)

• Longitudinal scar on the inner side of the upper arm.

• Asymmetry

• Widened scar on the inside of the upper arm, if there is a reaction to the threads used.

• Upper arm contour irregularity with "dent" if one were to remove too much skin

• Non physically demanding work: 2 days

• Physically demanding work 3-4 weeks

• 6-week compression suit

10 years and more, but always depending on own skin elasticity and periods of weight gain