Arm lift (brachioplasty)
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the inner upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow. It is considered when sagging does not improve with exercise, often after major weight loss.
Also called an upper arm lift.
What it involves
The surgeon removes the loose skin and fat from the inner or back part of the upper arm and tightens the remaining tissue. The incision usually runs along the inner arm, from the armpit to just above the elbow.
When the excess skin is small and close to the armpit, the incision may be limited to that area. If the sagging is extensive, as happens after major weight loss, it may continue onto the side of the chest.
It is often combined with liposuction. If the skin still has good elasticity and the excess is mostly fat, liposuction alone may be enough. The assessment defines which technique suits your case.
Who it is for
It is meant for adults with hanging skin or sagging on the inner upper arm that does not improve with exercise. It can appear after major weight loss, with age, or because of heredity. A stable weight, good health, and accepting that the surgery leaves a visible scar are important.
- Loose skin or sagging between the armpit and the elbow.
- Stable weight, without being significantly overweight.
- Good general health, with chronic conditions under control.
- Not smoking, or stopping before and after surgery as instructed.
- If the sagging is mild, options with less scarring may be considered.
What to know beforehand
Length of surgery
It usually takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the case. It depends on how much skin is removed, whether liposuction is added, and whether the incision continues onto the chest. The assessment provides an estimate for your case.
Type of anesthesia
It can be done under general anesthesia or under sedation with local or regional anesthesia. The choice depends on the extent of the surgery and on your health, and it is defined before the procedure.
Hospital stay and recovery
It is usually an outpatient surgery: you go home the same day, with someone to accompany you. In more extensive surgeries, or when it is combined with another procedure, one night in the hospital may be recommended. Swelling, bruising, and tightness in the arms are normal during the first days, and keeping them elevated while resting helps.
As a general guide, people return to desk work 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, and later if the job is demanding on the arms. Exercise and heavy lifting are resumed gradually, generally 4 to 8 weeks after surgery, depending on the case and once your surgeon clears you.
Aftercare
Your medical team gives you the exact instructions for your case. These are the usual ones:
- Wear the compression sleeve or garment for several weeks, as your surgeon instructs.
- Keep your arms elevated on pillows while resting, especially at the beginning.
- Avoid raising your arms overhead, pushing, or lifting heavy objects during the first weeks.
- If you have drains, follow the care instructions until they are removed.
- Walk from the day after surgery; it is the safest activity at first.
- Do not drive while taking strong pain medication or until you can move your arms comfortably.
- Call your surgeon if pain increases instead of easing, or if you notice fever, redness, or drainage from the wound.
Expected results
The change in contour is visible almost immediately, although swelling and bruising hide it at first. Swelling goes down gradually: most of it settles within a few weeks and the rest can take some months. The final result is assessed after several months.
The scar is permanent and usually sits on the inner arm. It is more noticeable at first, then flattens and fades, a process that takes about a year or longer. The result holds better with a stable weight, although the skin loses firmness with age.
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of an arm lift?
Like any surgery, it carries risks. Those described by the scientific societies include bleeding or hematoma, infection, fluid collection, slow healing, and wide or thick scars. Numbness or changes in skin sensation, sometimes persistent, nerve injury, prolonged swelling of the arm or hand, asymmetry, blood clots in the veins, and the risks of anesthesia are also possible.
What will the scar look like?
It depends on how much skin is removed. The usual result is a scar along the inner or back part of the upper arm, from the armpit to just above the elbow. In mild cases it may be limited to the armpit. It is permanent, but it flattens and fades over the months, and it matures in about a year or longer.
Arm lift or arm liposuction?
It depends on what the excess is. Liposuction removes fat and works when the skin has good elasticity. When loose skin is the main issue, it needs to be removed, and that is what an arm lift does. The two are often combined. At the assessment, the quality of your skin is examined to define the right option.
When can I go back to work and drive?
As a general guide, people return to desk work 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, and later if the job is demanding on the arms. Before driving, you should wait until you no longer need strong pain medication and can move your arms comfortably and without restriction. Timing varies from person to person and your surgeon confirms it.
Is the result long lasting?
It usually holds for years if you keep a stable weight and healthy habits. Surgery does not stop aging, so over time the skin loses some firmness. Major weight changes can loosen the skin again, which is why it is advisable to have surgery once your weight is stable.
This information is general and does not replace a medical assessment. The timing, technique and recovery for your case are defined in consultation with the surgeon.
Let us talk about your case
Every body needs a personal assessment. Tell us what you are considering and we will review the options that suit you best.