Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

If you’re looking to sculpt areas resistant to dieting and exercise, you may consider an arm lift — a surgical procedure designed to tighten and improve the upper arms. The effects of the natural aging process, weight loss, genetics, and gravity often cause an excess amount of skin and fatty tissue to congregate between the inner elbows and underarms. This generally results in a loss of shape and definition in the region that often cannot be effectively improved through natural weight loss alone.

A brachioplasty procedure can address these concerns by removing loose, hanging skin from the area and tightening the underlying muscles, resulting in an enhanced upper arm contour. Beverly Hills-trained plastic surgeon Geoffrey Leber, MD, FACS frequently combines an arm lift with liposuction to restore a smooth, firm, and taut arm appearance.

• What is an Arm Lift?
• Arm Lift Benefits
• Arm Lift Candidates
• Arm Lift Procedure
• Arm Lift Recovery
• Arm Lift Results
• Arm Lift Scars
• Arm Lift Cost
• Non-Surgical Arm Lift

What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift is designed to reshape the upper arms. After major weight loss and even following pregnancy, many individuals begin to notice a change in the tone of their upper arms. This region is prone to isolated fat buildup and, when combined with increased skin laxity, the result can be a loss of firmness as well as a sagging or hanging look. Medically known as “brachioplasty,” arm lift surgery can repair inelastic tissue causing the appearance of bagginess or “bat wings.” Through an incision made discreetly on the underside of the arm, brachioplasty can address stretched skin and restore internal support for the upper arms. The body contouring procedure also tightens weakened musculature in a circumferential fashion and removes excess fat deposits, leaving behind a sharper contour and a more defined silhouette.

What Can an Arm Lift Do for Me?

If you experience moderate to severe sagging in the upper arms, an arm lift can be an excellent solution to reestablish firmness and tone. The procedure is frequently performed to address loose, inelastic skin that is unable to contract and tighten around the new arm shape after significant weight loss. In general, a brachioplasty procedure can:

• Remove excess skin in the upper arms
• Pull remaining skin taut
• Tighten the underlying structures that define the arm shape

While the final outcome of surgery will depend on the characteristics of your skin and unique cosmetic goals, an arm lift typically results in a sleeker arm appearance with improved visibility of definition and tone—especially if the brachioplasty procedure is combined with liposuction.

Is an Arm Lift Right for Me?

Those considering an arm lift should be in reasonably good health and not have any future plans for significant weight loss. Losing weight can cause the upper arms to lose shape again; therefore, it’s usually best to pursue surgery only after you’ve reached a stable weight. Other factors that indicate you may be a good candidate for an arm lift include:

• You’re a non-smoker or you’re willing to stop smoking before your procedure and during the recovery period.
• You maintain realistic expectations about surgery and have a good understanding of the procedure.
• You’re bothered by a loss of tone, as well as excess tissue, in the upper arms.
• Major weight loss has left you with loose skin throughout the body.

If you would like to address multiple regions affected by excess skin after weight loss, Dr. Leber may recommend a more inclusive treatment plan like a lower body lift. With a lower body lift, you can combine an arm lift with a thigh lift, buttock lift, or abdominoplasty, among other options commonly performed to correct loose, excess skin. Dr. Leber can assess your cosmetic goals during a consultation and formulate an individualized treatment plan for your needs.

How is an Arm Lift Performed?

Dr. Leber performs an arm lift as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. An incision that extends from the underarm to the inner elbow allows him to access the supportive tissue, which will then be reshaped to achieve the desired result. Excess skin is removed and the remaining tissue is tightened for a natural-looking contour. Depending on your unique needs and preferences, liposuction may also be utilized to extract isolated fatty deposits and add firmness to the region. Although the duration of the procedure is contingent on the amount of enhancement planned, an arm lift generally takes one to two hours.

Short Scar Brachioplasty

For patients with minimal skin laxity and a small degree of excess skin near the underarm, a short scar brachioplasty may be enough to yield the desired improvement. This technique involves a much shorter incision than is traditionally utilized, with scarring concealed in the armpit. A short scar brachioplasty provides more conservative excision of redundant skin when compared to a full arm lift and achieves some degree of liposuction; however, this approach does not circumferentially remove excess skin in the upper arms, and therefore its benefits can be limited.

What is Recovery Like for an Arm Lift?

After surgery, your new arm contour will be immediately noticeable and the outcome should improve as swelling dissipates. A surgical garment or bandages may be temporarily worn to minimize swelling and facilitate the healing process. It is normal to experience post-operative bruising or swelling, and any discomfort can usually be managed with oral pain medication. Most patients make a full return to normal activities within one to two weeks, although the specific duration of your healing period will depend on your treatment plan. While the effects of aging will continue, an arm lift is designed to provide long-lasting aesthetic enhancement and the surgical outcome can be prolonged through maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

How Long Do Arm Lift Results Last?

As a procedure designed to remove excess tissue and reinstate support for the arms, arm lift surgery can achieve results that last a lifetime. It’s very important to minimize weight fluctuations after the arm lift procedure, as weight gain can change the shape of the arms and cause additional skin laxity. With that in mind, we advise patients to only undergo an arm lift after there are no future plans to gain or lose a significant amount of weight. No treatment can stop aging, but brachioplasty has been known to slow down the effects of the natural aging process and your arm contours will always look more youthful than they would if you had not undergone surgery. To preserve the integrity of the final results, we recommend that you exercise regularly, commit to a healthy diet, and live an active lifestyle.

Will I Have Noticeable Scars After an Arm Lift?

All surgical procedures will leave a scar to some extent, but the incision used for arm lift surgery is placed inconspicuously on the underside of the arm or near the armpit. This careful placement allows minimal visible scarring after the procedure, which many patients report fades in color over the years. We invite you to view our before-and-after photos of previous patients who received an arm lift to get an idea of the arm lift scars you can expect after surgery.

Scars after the arm lift procedure can become less noticeable over time, but a few tips can further encourage post-operative scarring to lighten. It’s important to closely adhere to Dr. Leber’s aftercare instructions regarding wound care, as this helps optimize the healing process. Applying sunscreen to the region and using scar lightening creams can also work to reduce the appearance of arm lift scars.

How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?

Arm lift costs will be influenced by your geographic location and the experience of your plastic surgeon. In Boston, the average cost of arm lift surgery is often relatively more affordable than other major cities, such as Los Angeles and New York City. While your personalized quote will depend on the unique details of your treatment plan, the cost of an arm lift at our practice ranges from $8,000 to $12,000. Factors that may affect your cost estimate include:

• The surgical techniques utilized
• The complexity of the procedure
• The extent of your concerns
• Lab fees, anesthesia fees, and other expenses commonly associated with cosmetic surgery

Dr. Leber and his team will provide you with a more accurate cost estimate once he assesses your needs in a consultation. CareCredit® and Prosper® Healthcare Lending offer many options for plastic surgery financing for qualified patients who are interested in paying for their arm lift with smaller, more manageable installments. Please don’t hesitate to call our office if you’d like to learn more about the cost of an arm lift.

Is a Non-Surgical Arm Lift Possible?

No, while there are minimally invasive techniques to remove excess fat buildup, there is no non-surgical treatment to achieve the skin tightening and circumferential improvement typical of brachioplasty. An arm lift addresses loose skin and fat buildup, allowing the procedure to create a sleek, natural-looking arm contour. Unfortunately, no non-surgical treatments exist to replicate the same quality of results. We encourage you to discuss your needs and preferences with Dr. Leber so he can recommend the most beneficial treatment(s) for you.

Dr. Leber can create a tailored treatment plan based on your goals and the extent of skin inelasticity experienced. Contact our board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon at our Boston office for more information, or if you’re ready to schedule a consultation.