SCOTTSDALE & PHOENIX, AZ
For patients concerned about sagging skin and excess fat in the upper arms, an arm lift provides a surgical solution with transformative results. After an arm lift, patients can once again enjoy wearing all their favorite swimsuits, sleeveless tops, and dresses with full confidence.
Duration
30-45 min
Downtime
Minimal
Drooping skin can appear in the upper arms after aging or significant weight loss. Genetics can also sometimes play a role in determining the appearance of this delicate but visible region. Some patients may struggle with a condition known as “bat wings” where loose, wrinkled skin accumulates under the arms, causing self-consciousness. Arm lift surgery is a precision-oriented procedure that can restore your physique and help you regain a more positive self-image.
An upper arm lift, otherwise referred to as a brachioplasty, is used to reduce or eliminate excess skin on the upper arms. The procedure entails creating an incision that will run from the elbow to the armpit. It is placed in an inconspicuous location – the inner arm toward the back – but some scarring will always be visible. Often liposuction can be undergone in conjunction with arm lift surgery for optimum results.
After arm lift surgery, the arms are wrapped to reduce swelling. The initial healing usually occurs in 10-14 days. The sutures are then removed within the first 1-2 weeks. Any swelling and bruising that occurs will gradually disappear over the first 3-4 weeks. Our team will provide a detailed aftercare plan as well as prescriptions for pain medications. We will conduct follow-up visits to ensure your recuperation is progressing smoothly and without incident.
Many arm lift patients have tried unsuccessfully in the past to sculpt their upper arms through conventional means such as dieting and exercise. Unfortunately, upper arm ptosis (sagging) typically only responds to surgical intervention.
Ideal candidates for brachioplasty are physically and emotionally healthy and free from any unaddressed medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, or bleeding disorders. They should be non-smokers or willing to quit both before and after their arm lift. Lastly, patients should have realistic expectations for the results of their procedure, based on their private consultation with our caring, knowledgeable team.
Other body contouring procedures may be performed in combination with an arm lift, depending on the needs of the patient. These may include a breast lift, tummy tuck, or face and neck lift. Combining procedures may reduce both costs and downtime, so be sure to mention your interest to your surgeon at the time of your private consultation.
Dr. Marc Malek is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Phoenix & Scottsdale who delivers personalized, natural-looking results in a technologically advanced practice setting. He and his team of consummate professionals listen carefully to patient goals in order to create one-of-a-kind treatment plans that lead to successful, lasting outcomes.
Dr. Malek has a prestigious training background, having completed his General Surgery residency at the University of Missouri in Kansas City and an elite Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Dr. Malek is proud to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to hold memberships in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Arizona Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.
PATIENT EDUCATION
Brachioplasty is the medical name for an arm lift, a surgical procedure that reduces or eliminates excess skin on the upper arms. It can help patients with sagging upper arm skin caused by aging, significant weight loss, or genetics, especially when diet and exercise have not produced the results they want. Liposuction can also be performed at the same time to address excess fat and refine the contour of the arms.
The cost of an arm lift depends on your individual treatment plan, including whether liposuction or other procedures are performed at the same time. Your personalized cost is reviewed at your consultation, and financing options are available. Combining procedures may reduce both overall costs and downtime, so be sure to mention any other procedures you are considering to your surgeon.
An arm lift is performed through an incision that runs from the elbow to the armpit, placed in an inconspicuous location on the inner arm toward the back to help keep the scar discreet. Some scarring will always be visible, but scars often soften and fade as they mature. Following your aftercare plan and attending your follow-up visits supports healing, although how scars heal varies from person to person.
Like any surgery, brachioplasty carries risks, such as bleeding, infection, fluid buildup, delayed wound healing, changes in skin sensation, asymmetry, and scars that are more visible than expected. Your overall health affects your risk, which is why good candidates are non-smokers or willing to quit and are free from unaddressed medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or bleeding disorders. Your surgeon will review the risks that apply to you at your consultation.
Some soreness, tightness, and swelling are expected after brachioplasty, and discomfort is managed with the pain medication prescribed by your surgical team. Your arms are wrapped after surgery to help reduce swelling, and you will receive a detailed aftercare plan to help you stay comfortable as you heal. How much discomfort you feel varies from patient to patient, and your surgeon will explain what to expect at your consultation.
Initial healing after an arm lift usually takes 10 to 14 days, and sutures are removed within the first 1 to 2 weeks. Any swelling and bruising gradually fade over the first 3 to 4 weeks. When you can return to work, exercise, and lifting varies from patient to patient, and your surgeon will explain what to expect and see you for follow-up visits to check that your recovery is progressing smoothly.
