Arm lift

Arm lift or brachioplasty, more commonly known as arm lift surgery, is a type of plastic surgery to remove excess skin and fat from your upper arms. As part of the natural aging process, this part of your body tends to lose skin elasticity and develop stubborn fat. Diet and exercise don’t help with lax skin, and the fat in your upper arms is very difficult to eliminate. A surgical procedure to tighten the arm skin is the best solution.

In addition to aging, significant weight loss causes a flabby appearance in the upper arms. When you were carrying those extra pounds, your skin stretched to the point where it can no longer conform to the shape of your arms. Plastic surgery for your arms after weight loss restores the natural contours and helps you feel more confident about your effort to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.

Surgery to remove excess arm skin and fat is a safe and effective way to address the concerns that you have about your upper arms. You can learn more about arm reduction surgery and other options by calling us to schedule a consultation.

The best candidates for an arm tuck are people who have loose skin in the upper arm area. If you still have good skin elasticity, the surgeon may recommend an alternative to arm lift surgery, such as upper arm tightening with a minimally-invasive technique, such as liposuction or radiofrequency skin tightening. Arm liposuction doesn’t help with cellulite on your upper arms, and we may recommend another option during your consultation.

An underarm lift, also known as a mini arm lift, is an option for people who have sagging skin and extra fat in the upper third of the arm. If you look in the mirror and only see skin hanging near your armpit, you may be a good candidate for surgery to remove the skin in the underarm area. The incision for an underarm lift is shorter than a full arm lift, and you may have a shorter recovery time. By comparison, you are a better candidate for a full arm lift if you have skin that hangs from your armpit to your elbow area.

An arm lift may cost between $4,000 to $5,000, but this varies significantly. Orange County Plastic Surgery offers free consultations for people who are interested in the procedure. At that time, we can provide details about the cost of your brachioplasty procedure.

The compression sleeves on your arms and post-surgical swelling will limit your range of motion. You will also be restricted with certain activities, such as raising your arms above your head and exercising.

The results of your arm lift can last several years if you maintain a healthy weight and continue to live an active lifestyle. Brachioplasty does not stop the aging process, and the skin of your upper arms may start to sag again.

The average recovery time for arm lift surgery is two to six weeks. Discomfort typically peaks within the first few days, and the swelling, discomfort, and bruising start to subside after seven days. Sutures are removed after 10 days. You may have some minor swelling and bruising for up to six weeks.

Initial healing from an arm lift is about one to two weeks. Each person heals differently, so you may need more time to fully recover and heal.

Swelling is most significant for the first week. The swelling should completely disappear after six weeks.