A skinny rubber drain may be used after surgery to remove fluids. It becomes a choice between the loose wobbling extra skin and the scar from the excision. Meticulous surgical technique, after surgery scar care can limit the degree of scarring. Clothing style can help camouflage some of the scar, but not the loose skin before surgery. Other possible compilations include persistent swelling of the arm, infection, bruising, and bleeding.
Nerve injury can result in numbness and change in feeling.
This surgery is not suitable after mastectomy or operations in the axilla lymph nodes. Those with multiple infections of the sweat gland may also not be candidates for brachioplasty. Drainage of the arm may already be impaired, and further surgery may lead to permanent arm swelling. This operation is usually done as an outpatient under general anesthesia or local with sedation. The choice depends on the extent of the operation, but most are more comfortable having this done asleep.