A consultation with Dr. Diacakis plastic surgeon in Paris is essential.
A preoperative check-up will be prescribed to you as well as a “sleeve” type restraint to be worn for 4 weeks.
A consultation with the anaesthetist is compulsory and must take place at least 48 hours before the operation. He will ask you to wash your body and hair with betadine the day before and the morning of the operation. You will have to fast (without drinking, eating or smoking) 6 hours before the operation.
Any medication containing aspirin must be banned 2 weeks before the operation.
It is strongly advised to stop smoking at least 1 month before and 1 month after the operation to facilitate healing.

In certain special cases, this operation can be covered by social security and mutual insurance companies (reconstructive surgery after weight loss for morbid obesity, following bariatric surgery). Prior agreement must be requested.
Most often, an arm lift is a cosmetic surgery operation, which is not covered by either social security or mutual insurance. Thus, no sick leave can be prescribed, so it is important to allow for a period of unavailability of 7 days after the operation.

On the morning of the operation, Dr Richard Diacakis, a plastic surgeon in Paris, makes drawings that will serve as reference points during the operation. Photos are systematically taken.
General anaesthesia is most often practiced.
First of all, Dr. Richard Diacakis almost systematically performs liposuction of almost the entire arm in order to refine it and make its reliefs appear.
If there is significant skin slackening after the liposuction, it is then necessary to perform an arm lift, that is to say to remove the excess skin to the detriment of a scar whose location and length will depend on the extent of the excess. The facelift thus makes it possible to tighten the skin.
The scars will be located either only in the fold of the armpit or additionally along the inner and posterior face of the arm.
The operation of an arm lift lasts on average between 1h30 and 2h30.
The closure will most often be done with absorbable sutures.
The arm lift requires a 24-hour hospital stay.

Pain, often moderate, can be relieved by simple painkillers.
In order to minimise the risk of haematoma, Dr Richard Diacakis, a plastic surgeon in Paris, sets up suction drains which will be removed the day after the operation.
A specific restraint for the arms will be worn for 2 to 4 weeks.
Simple dressings will be applied every 2 to 3 days.
It is strongly recommended that you return home by taxi or accompanied by a person. Public transport is not allowed.
Showering is allowed for 2 days.
There are frequent oedemas, bruises and reduced skin sensitivity of the arms, especially during the first 15 days.
The stitches are absorbable but can be removed after 15 days.
Sun exposure of the operated areas is prohibited for 6 months but it is possible to protect them with a protective cream of at least 50 from the 3rd month.
It is possible to resume sports activities 6 weeks after the operation.
The period of unavailability is 7 to 15 days depending on your professional activity.
Post-operative check-ups take place on D7, D15, D1 month, D2/3 months, D6 months and D1 year.

From the 8th day you can resume an active life.
From one month the result is estimated at 50% and already gives a real result with a significant refinement of the arm and harmonious reliefs. But there is still some swelling and induration of the skin to the touch.
At 3 months the estimated result is 80% with an almost definitive result and a skin that has almost regained all its suppleness.
At 6 months the result is considered definitive.