Arm Lifts

It would be nice if we could always keep the smooth, toned arms from our younger years….but eventually, due to the aging process and gravity, or as a result of weight loss, you may develop loose or sagging skin on your upper arms, diminishing their youthful appearance. This can make you feel self-conscious, especially if there is enough excess that it makes you feel as if you have the dreaded “bat-wing” appearance. As a result, you may find that you are always trying to hide your arms under longer (or even wider) sleeves, and that even that may not be enough to disguise them. Diet and exercise, while helping to reduce fat and strengthen muscle, can only go so far. An arm lift (also known as a brachioplasty) may be the next step to help recontour your arms, making them look slimmer and shapelier to complement the rest of your figure.

What to expect with Major Arm Lift Surgery

Dr. Moya explains major arm lifts.

Arm Lift Options

There are several options for an arm lift, ranging from a mini lift to a major lift, all of which are dependent upon the amount of excess skin you have and where it is located, as well as on your contouring goals.  Our Doctors routinely utilize liposuction not only to increase the safety and ease of skin removal but also to enhance the overall result. Following a thorough discussion and clinical evaluation, they will be able to help you choose the solution that’s right for you.

The specific position and length of an incision for a standard or major arm lift will vary depending on the location and degree of loose skin, as well as your desired aesthetic result. If you have a moderate amount of hanging skin near your elbow, for example, an incision along the inside of your arm (medial) may be less visible, but may require an extension onto the inside of your forearm to achieve the same smooth contouring results that you would get by an incision along the back of your arm (posterior), which would end at your elbow.

Who is a good candidate?

If you are dissatisfied with the look, shape, or size of your upper arms due to loose or sagging skin and feel that this is making you more inhibited or is limiting your enjoyment of life, then a brachioplasty may be right for you. For those who have lost a significant amount of weight but feel that their arms do not reflect such an achievement, an arm lift can give them that boost of confidence.

Although the procedure does slim your arms, it is not intended to be a weight loss tool. Instead, it should be performed only on those whose weight has been stable for some time and who do not plan to gain or lose too much weight in the future, as this could negate the results.

Recovery after arm lift surgery

After the procedure, you will wear a compression garment over the entire area to minimize swelling, usually for a couple of weeks. Sitting and sleeping with your arms elevated somewhat will also help reduce swelling, which is most noticeable for the first few days after surgery. In most cases, you will be able to use non-prescription pain medication to help control your discomfort in combination with prescription pain medication as needed. While you will be able to use your arms for minor activities of daily living right after surgery, you will need to hold off on returning to your normal daily activities for a couple of weeks. You may resume strenuous activities, including heavy lifting and exercise, at 6 weeks. Since each patient is different, the doctors will take the time to discuss your specific recovery plan with you.