A brachioplasty, or arm lift, will restore your upper arms so they appear firm, sculpted, and youthful. Following a dramatic weight loss, you may have an abundance of sagging skin and tissue on your upper arms. Many women develop excess fat on the upper arms, which can be removed with custom laser liposuction, or with a mini arm lift (mini brachioplasty). For more extensive cases of excess skin and tissue, such as after bariatric surgery, a traditional brachioplasty will tighten and firm the arms from the underarm to the elbow.

What can an arm lift do for me?

For patients suffering from sagging skin after massive weight loss, nothing is more satisfying than the results of a traditional brachioplasty. If you have lost a significant amount of weight and are troubled by the appearance of your upper arms, an arm lift will leave your arms looking firm, sculpted, and natural, so you can appear confident in a sleeveless top, swimsuit, or other revealing garments.

What is the procedure?

The basic steps of the procedure are as follows:

Incisions are made from the armpit (axilla) down the center inside of the arms to the elbow. The location and length of the incisions vary from patient to patient and are customized to the pattern of looseness
This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia for your comfort
Some liposuction may be performed to remove excess fat
Excess skin is removed
The incisions are meticulously closed
A gauze dressing and a compression garment are placed over your upper arms, and surgical drains may be placed

What is a short scar brachioplasty?

Limited-incision brachioplasty is an option for people with less extreme excess skin, tissue, and fat on the upper arms. It combines Smartlipo (laser-assisted liposuction), along with the removal of excess skin through an incision in the armpit. Generally, patients that need a long arm brachioplasty cannot expect good results from this approach but will require a traditional arm lift to achieve a good result.

What does an arm lift cost?

The cost of undergoing a long-scar brachioplasty is in the range of $6,500 including anesthesia costs. If you are in good health, the procedure can be performed in our private, outpatient clinic. If your case requires longer incisions, from the armpit (axilla) extending to the side of the torso, the price is typically higher, about $8,500. The quote for your arm lift surgery can be provided after we evaluate the condition of your skin and body.

What are the risks of arm lift surgery?

Any surgery has some risks, which include:

Adverse reaction to anesthesia
Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
Infection and bleeding
Changes in sensation
Scarring
Allergic reactions
Damage to underlying structures
Unsatisfactory results that require correction with additional procedures

Getting started

Your first step is a private, complimentary consultation. We can assess the condition of the skin and tissue on your arms to determine if a brachioplasty or arm lift is a good option for you. Our offices are in Chevy Chase, Maryland and Mclean, VA. Call us or schedule a consultation online.

FAQ

Can an arm lift be performed without general anesthesia?

An arm lift can be performed with a combination of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, or “twilight sedation.” The tumescent fluid injected into the upper arms to loosen the fat and numb the area allows for sufficient pain control for most patients.

Are the scars visible?

Initially, the scars will be visible. Over time, they fade to appear as a thin white line, which is not particularly noticeable but can be seen if you raise your arm, revealing the underside.

Can I undergo another procedure in the same surgery?

Many patients choose to have more than one procedure. The decision about whether this is possible will reflect your general health and the surgeries. In many cases, a breast lift, breast augmentation, or upper body lift can be performed along with an arm lift.

Arm Lift