Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

When you meet with us for your arm lift consultation, we will have an honest discussion about your desires, expectations, and concerns, as well as the limits and risks of the surgery. We will review your medical history and recommend options that can best help you achieve your goals. We will give you thorough written instructions to prepare for your surgery and will answer any questions you have.

At Summit Health, the patient experience is of primary importance to us. We customize every single procedure we do so that it is tailored to what is best for you and you alone.

Arm lift surgery (also known as brachioplasty) is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. The surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours.

The arm lift procedure involves an incision on the inside or back of the arm between the elbow and armpit. The length of the incision depends on the amount of tissue that must be removed. In rare cases, the incision must be continued into the armpit and possibly the chest.

For the liposuction portion, only a small incision is required. Through that incision, tumescent fluid is introduced first to numb the area and reduce the chance of bleeding, as well as to loosen and soften the fatty tissues. This expansion of the fatty tissue allows the liposuction instrument to travel smoothly as it is moved in and out from beneath the skin in order to suction out the fat. The surgeon then inserts a small tube called a cannula to mechanically break down the excess fat.

The excess skin is then removed, and the underlying support tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal stitches before the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm. The external incision is either closed with dissolvable stitches or stitches that will be removed in 1 to 2 weeks.

You can go home a few hours after the surgery, but you will need someone to drive you.

You will receive thorough written instructions for arm lift recovery. The instructions will include ways to prevent infection and when to follow up with your surgeon.

Dressings will be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in elastic bandages or compression garments to minimize swelling. Your surgeon will tell you how and when to change your dressings. A small, thin tube also may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid. If you have stitches that do not dissolve, you will return to Summit Health 7 to 14 days after your surgery to have them removed. We will monitor your progress to make sure you are healing properly.

Most patients report some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort for several days to a week after the procedure. You can take oral over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage any pain you experience, if necessary.

As long as your job is not strenuous, you should be able to return to work and your daily activities within 2 weeks. You should avoid sports and vigorous activities for 6 to 8 weeks.

You will be able to see the smoother, tighter contours of your upper arms immediately after surgery. You may not be able to see the final results for several weeks, however, when the swelling and bruising resolves.

Although arm lift surgery leaves scars on the inside or back of your upper arms, the scars will fade over time. We take great care to reduce scarring. We apply scar cream and perform massage, and we also usually provide cortisone injections anywhere on the incisions where the skin might thicken. This prevents the scars from becoming raised and prominent.

The results of arm lift surgery are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and level of fitness. While the natural effects of aging and gravity may cause your upper arms to lose some firmness over time, your arms will probably never go back to the same degree of sagging as before surgery. Regular exercise will help to keep your arms from sagging again.