Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Candidates for Surgery

Candidates for an Arm Lift have excess skin hanging from the upper arms creating the “bat wing” effect.  This may be because of weight loss or genetic reasons.

Reduce the amount of excess, sagging skin and fat on the arms to create a slimmer arm contour. The results are highly dependent on the expertise of the Plastic Surgeon and one of the reasons that many patients choose our practice.  This procedure allows many patients to feel more comfortable in sleeveless clothing. 

Incisions are placed in a subtle location on the underside of the arms, between the armpit and the elbow.  General anesthesia is usually used for this procedure.  The length and location of the scar is dependent on the location of the unwanted and excess soft tissue. The unwanted skin is removed to reveal the arm’s natural shape.  In many cases, liposuction is used to remove excess fat to enhance the natural contour of the arm.

Following surgery, the arms are wrapped in a compression sleeve to reduce swelling.  During the first 10-14 days, the swelling will reduce as a sign of the initial healing. 
Patients should avoid lifting arms overhead after the procedure.
Swelling and bruising will gradually fade during the 3 to 4 weeks following surgery.
The scars on the inner side of the arm should fade between 6 and 24 months following surgery, depending on the patient’s skin. This process can be hastened with certain types of lasers found at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.

General risks of surgery include infection, pain, delayed would healing, hematoma (a collection of blood at the surgical site), bleeding, asymmetry, or reactions to anesthetic.

Scars: The scars usually extend from the inner aspect of the elbow up into the axilla (armpit).  The doctor will place them in the most inconspicuous line possible, but you will always see them to some extent.  No matter how carefully we make repairs, using the best plastic surgery techniques, you will always have scars.

Uneven skin contours: following your upper arm lift, the skin contours may be slightly uneven and areas of slight depression or wrinkling can occur.  As healing progresses, most of these problems (if present) usually improve dramatically.

Asymmetry: Minimal asymmetry of upper arm lift scars occur frequently as healing is not always even from side to side.  The mild asymmetry is usually not cosmetically significant.  If the asymmetry is significant, revisional surgery of the scars may be considered.

Additional surgical risks will be discussed by our doctors and staff during prior to your surgery.