Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
What Is an Arm Lift?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a firmer, more defined contour.
Loose, hanging skin, often referred to as “bat wings” commonly develops with aging, after significant weight loss, or when skin loses elasticity and cannot retract on its own.
While exercise can improve muscle tone, it does not tighten excess skin. For patients whose primary concern is skin laxity rather than fat alone, brachioplasty provides improvement that cannot be achieved through fitness or non-surgical treatments.
At Golden State Plastic Surgery, Dr. Shih takes an individualized approach, selecting the appropriate technique based on skin quality, fat distribution, and the extent of excess tissue.
How Does an Arm Lift Work?
Brachioplasty removes redundant skin and, when needed, excess fat from the inner upper arm. The remaining skin is tightened and repositioned to create a smoother, more defined arm contour.
In most patients, liposuction is performed in combination with skin excision to refine shape and improve overall contour.
The resulting scar is placed along the inner arm, where it is typically not visible when the arms rest at the sides, but may be visible when the arms are raised.
Arm Lift vs. Liposuction: Which Is Right for Me?
The most important distinction is whether your concern is fat, skin, or both:
- Excess fat with good skin elasticity: may be treated with liposuction alone
- Excess skin (with or without fat): requires brachioplasty
- Combined fat and skin excess (most common): treated with liposuction + arm lift
If your primary concern is loose or hanging skin, liposuction alone may result in persistent or worsened skin laxity.
Patients considering arm contouring often also explore liposuction or broader body contouring procedures, depending on whether multiple areas are involved.
What Are My Technique Options?
The appropriate technique depends on the degree and distribution of skin excess.
Standard Brachioplasty
An incision extends from the axilla to just above the elbow along the inner arm.
- Best for moderate to significant skin excess
- Provides the most complete correction
- Results in a longer but well-positioned scar
Limited-Scar Brachioplasty
Incision is confined to the axilla or upper arm crease.
- Best for mild to moderate skin excess near the upper arm
- Shorter scar
- Less comprehensive correction
Liposuction Alone
In select patients with good skin elasticity:
- Removes excess fat without skin excision
- No long scar
- Limited benefit if skin laxity is present
How much does an arm lift cost?
The cost of brachioplasty varies depending on the extent of surgery, whether liposuction is included, and facility and anesthesia fees. A detailed, personalized estimate is provided after your consultation.
Do you offer financing for brachioplasty?
Yes. Financing options including CareCredit are available. Our team can provide details during your consultation.
Who Is a Candidate for an Arm Lift?
You may be a candidate if you:
- Have loose upper arm skin that does not improve with weight loss or exercise
- Have experienced significant weight loss with residual skin laxity
- Have age-related loss of skin elasticity
- Are at or near your goal weight
- Do not smoke or are willing to stop before and after surgery
- Are in good general health with no uncontrolled medical conditions
- Have realistic expectations about outcomes, including the permanence of the inner arm scar
What to Expect During Your Consultation
Your consultation focuses on determining whether your concern is primarily skin laxity, fat, or both.
Dr. Shih will evaluate:
- Skin quality and elasticity
- Extent and location of excess tissue
- Fat distribution
- Whether excess extends toward the elbow
Scar placement is discussed in detail, as this is a key consideration in brachioplasty. Patients are guided through the expected appearance of scars over time, including how they mature and fade.
What is the Recovery Timeline for an Arm Lift?
Recovery is generally well tolerated. Most patients return to light activity within about 1 week and resume full activity by 6 weeks. A compression garment is worn for 6 weeks to reduce swelling and support healing.
|
Timeframe |
What to Expect |
|
Day 1–3 |
Soreness, swelling, and tightness. Elastic bandages in place. |
|
Day 4–7 |
Return to light activity and desk work. Drains removed around Day 7. Transition to compression garment. |
|
Week 2–6 |
Noticeable improvements in swelling and contour. Continue wearing compression garment. Avoid lifting, pulling, or overhead activity. |
|
Week 6-12 |
Return to full activity at 6 weeks. Final contour becomes more apparent around 3 months. |
Early swelling can temporarily obscure results. Final arm contour typically refines over 3 to 6 months.
Results and Expectations
Brachioplasty provides long-lasting improvement in arm contour when weight remains stable.
While aging will continue to affect skin elasticity over time, the improvement relative to your baseline is maintained.
The trade-off for improved contour is a permanent inner arm scar, which typically softens and fades over time.
What are the Risks from Arm Lifts?
Potential risks include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Infection
- Poor wound healing or widened scarring
- Changes in sensation (usually temporary)
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
- Seroma (fluid collection)
- Rarely, lymphedema
Scar quality varies based on individual healing and adherence to post-operative care. Scar management with silicone sheets and sun protection is strongly recommended to optimize scar maturation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the scar look like after an arm lift?
The scar typically runs along the inner arm from the armpit (axilla) toward the elbow. It is usually not visible when the arms are at rest but can be seen when the arms are raised. Scars gradually soften and fade over 12 to 18 months, although they do not disappear completely.
How long do arm lift results last?
Results are long-lasting, especially if your weight remains stable. While natural aging continues, the improvement in arm contour is maintained relative to your baseline.
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Brachioplasty can be combined with other body contouring procedures, particularly in weight loss patients who may also be interested in simultaneous liposuction, tummy tuck, or breast lift. Combining procedures can reduce overall recovery time compared to staging them separately, and candidates are evaluated based on expected operative time and overall health.
Will I have drains after an arm lift?
Drains are often used to reduce swelling and prevent development of a fluid collection (seroma). They are temporary, and typically removed within the first week after surgery. Dr. Shih will discuss drains in more detail during your consultation.
Is an arm lift painful?
Post-operative discomfort is typically moderate and well managed with prescribed medication. Most patients describe tightness and soreness along the inner arms rather than severe pain. Compression and elevation in the early recovery period is especially helpful. Discomfort improves meaningfully by the end of the first week.
