What is Brachioplasty “Arm Lift” Surgery?

A Brachioplasty or “arm lift”, is a surgical procedure that removes excess loose skin from the upper arm. Many individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight or simply have excess skin due to aging are bothered by their loose arm skin and find it difficult to wear sleeveless clothing. It is important to understand that with Brachioplasty surgery, improved arm contour requires a surgical scar, which will fade with time.

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Who is a good candidate for an Arm Lift?

Men and women who are bothered by excess skin and tissue on the underside of their upper arms due to weight loss or age can often benefit from this procedure. Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smokers who have a realistic expectation for their results. To determine if this procedure is right for you, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation appointment.

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Achieve your ideal body with body contouring, fat reduction, and rejuvenation. We offer procedures for every area of the body, including the stomach, thighs, arms, back, and more! View our patient gallery and find a before and after similar to your body type and treatment goals to see what kind of results you can expect from our team.

BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY

Patient Reviews

Wonderful experience and such a caring practice. You all make a difference, and it shows!
- AS
Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir are incredible. Not only did they give me beautiful results with my surgery, but also kindness, attention to detail, and they listened to what I wanted. I couldn’t be happier…
- CW
Dr. Kurtovic and her staff are amazing. They are all so friendly, caring and professional. I would highly recommend her.
- DT

Brachioplasty “Arm Lift” Surgery

The brachioplasty procedure is typically performed using general anesthesia. To begin, your surgeon will create an incision pattern to eliminate the excess skin. Incisions are usually made on the inside or back of the arm and may extend from the underarm to just above the elbow. Excess fat may also be removed using LIPOSUCTION. Sutures will then be used to close incisions and hold your new arm contours into place.

The results from an arm lift are meant to be long-lasting, however, significant weight fluctuations that occur after surgery may affect your results.

Recovery Process

Arm Lift Recovery

4-6 weeks

An improvement in the shape of your arms will be immediately noticeable following surgery. However, swelling and bruising will be present, which will resolve with time. Compression garments are recommended to help minimize swelling. Most patients require 4-6 weeks of modification to their normal activities. During this time you should avoid exercise and strenuous activity.  Our team will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to help you safely and quickly recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can underarm fat be removed?

Yes, while some underarm enhancements can be made with minimally invasive or even non-invasive techniques, the most comprehensive treatment option for hanging skin and fat is a surgical arm lift.

Do arm lift scars fade?

Yes, the scars from all types of surgery fade with time, meaning you wont necessarily have a clearly visible scar following arm lift surgery.

Do compression garments help with loose skin?

No, when you have loose, excess skin in various areas of your body, typically the only way to achieve a tightened appearance is by removing the redundant skin. Simply compressing the areas does not affect the tissues.

Do waist trainers tighten loose skin?

Sorry. No, despite all the reviews and testimonials, waist trainers will not really tighten loose skin.

Does arm lift leave a scar?

Arm lifts do require an incision of varying lengths depending on the extent and condition of the skin. In many cases they can be minimally long and with good scar care, do not appear too conspicuously.

Does arm lipo hurt?

Arm lipo really does not hurt much. The most common technique for liposuction is tumescent liposuction in which fluid and local anesthetics are infiltrated into the fat prior to surgery. Then, after the local is working, the fat is removed with Vaser, PAL, SAL, liposuction or a combination of techniques depending on your goals.

Does insurance pay for arm lift?

Typically, health insurance will not cover elective surgeries such as an arm lift. We offer convenient financing options for those worried about being able to afford their desired procedure.

Does Medicare pay for Brachioplasty?

Insurance / Medicare will not cover brachioplasty for cosmetic reasons and the cost of surgery varies depending on how much excess skin and fat you want removed.

How do you lose arm fat fast?

Liposuction can be used to physically remove a significant amount of arm fat for those concerned about the appearance of their arms. However, this does not help with excess skin, which makes an arm lift often a better choice.

How long after Brachioplasty Can I exercise?

You can resume lower body exercises and lightly cardio fairly quickly after brachioplasty. However, it will be at least six weeks before you can resume any upper body exercises. And heavy weight lifting is to be avoided for closer to 8 weeks to really give the scars time to heal.

How long does it take for Brachioplasty scars to heal?

After an arm lift, the scars from your incisions will begin to fade once the incision has healed, continuing to fade in appearance for up to a year following your surgery.

How long does it take to recover from an arm lift?

Arm lifts, when performed on their own, usually require about a few weeks of downtime, after which many people can go back to work if they have an office job. Dr. Mahabir and Dr. Kurtovic may recommend longer healing times depending on your surgical plan.

How much does a Brachioplasty surgery cost?

Brachioplasty typically costs between $9,000 and $11,000 depending on how much excess skin and fat needs to be removed.

How painful is an arm lift?

Arm lift surgery is not terribly painful during recovery. Your doctor will recommend pain medication and recovery assistive devices such as compression garments to enhance your comfort during recovery.

What is arm lift surgery?

Arm lift surgery is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess, loose skin and fat in the upper arm area.

Silvia Kurtovic, MD & Raman Mahabir, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we have a patient-centric approach that sets us apart from the rest. We take the time to really get to know you and your aesthetic goals during one-on-one conversations which help us to fully understand your motivations.

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