Whether your arms are carrying kids, picking up groceries, or thrown in the air in excitement, they are a dynamic and highly visible part of the body. If you find yourself shying away from showing your arms during the heat of summer or avoiding that new strapless dress, it might be time to consider an arm lift. Boston female plastic surgeon Dr. Alannah Phelan offers this procedure to improve the shape and tone of the upper arms for men and women.

What is an arm lift?

Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, is a procedure we use to reshape and contour the upper arms. This surgery addresses issues like sagging skin and excess fat that are often left behind after significant weight loss, the aging process, or genetics. By removing excess skin and fat, arm lift surgery helps create a defined arm appearance you can feel confident in. 

Before and after Boston Plastic Surgery's Boston arm lift patient with less loose skin "bat wing" appearance and a naturally slimmer, proportional arm contour
Before and after Boston arm lift patient

Types of arm lifts

There are different types of arm lift surgeries we use to reduce the circumference of the upper arms and improve body shape and proportions. These include variations of these types of arm lifts: 

  • Mini arm lift: A mini arm lift might be an option for patients with minimal sagging, though this technique is not often recommended. 
  • Traditional arm lift: A traditional arm lift is the most common technique we recommend because it offers maximum skin excision and arm reshaping. It is suitable for those with moderate to severe sagging. 
  • Extended arm lift: An extended arm lift includes a traditional arm lift, but with incisions that extend down your sides, it can also address loose skin along the sides of the chest.

Good candidates for an arm lift

An arm lift may be right for you if:

  • You have significant upper arm skin laxity
  • You want to have smoother, tighter-looking upper arms
  • You are at a stable, healthy weight you are happy with
  • You are in good overall health without medical conditions that impair healing
  • You do not smoke or can quit smoking for a period before and after the surgery
  • You have realistic expectations about the results
  • A healthy diet & exercise are not giving you the results you want

During your consultation, Dr. Phelan will examine your arms and determine if an arm lift is the right procedure to achieve the results you are looking for. 

The arm lift procedure

The surgery generally takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the complexity of your unique procedure plan.

Anesthesia

Dr. Phelan performs arm lift surgery under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. She will recommend the best option for you based on the extent of your surgery and your personal preferences. 

Arm lift incisions

Dr. Phelan determines the placement and length of the arm lift incision to best address tissue removal and upper arm reshaping. For most patients, Dr. Phelan uses a full brachioplasty incision which extends from the underarm to the elbow.

Before and after an arm lift at Boston Plastic Surgery, a patient's back shows drooping, wrinkled upper arm skin in the "before" photo and smoother, naturally contoured arms in the after photo
Before and after Boston Plastic Surgery arm lift

Tissue removal and skin tightening

Through the arm lift incision, Dr. Phelan removes excess tissue and tightens and reshapes the remaining supportive tissue. Liposuction is often used to eliminate any remaining fat deposits to help highlight the firmer arm contours.

Closing the incision

Incisions are closed with sutures, and the arms are wrapped in bandages to help limit swelling and support the new shape of the upper arms during the initial healing phase. 

Key Benefits
  • Removes excess skin and fat, resulting in a more toned and contoured appearance of the upper arms
  • Eliminates discomfort and chafing, making physical activities more enjoyable and less irritating
  • Improves the fit of clothes, eliminating the need for oversized clothing to hide loose skin
  • Long-lasting results, especially when maintained with a healthy lifestyle
Glossary

Brachioplasty: A type of plastic surgery focused on removing excess skin and fat from the upper arms, commonly known as an arm lift.

Incision: A surgical cut made during arm lift surgery to remove excess skin and fat.

Liposuction: A procedure often combined with arm lift surgery to remove excess fat deposits for better contouring.

Recovery: The period after arm lift surgery when the patient heals and gradually returns to normal activities.

Risks: Potential complications and adverse effects associated with arm lift surgery, such as infection or scarring.

Anesthesia: Medication used during arm lift surgery so that the patient feels no pain.

Weight Loss: A common reason patients seek arm lift surgery is to remove excess skin after significant weight loss.

Mini Arm Lift (Minimal Incision Brachioplasty): A less invasive version of arm lift surgery focusing on minimal skin removal with a shorter recovery time.

General Anesthesia: A type of anesthesia where the patient is put to sleep for the duration of the arm lift surgery.

Plastic Surgeon: A medical doctor specializing in performing surgeries like brachioplasty to improve body aesthetics.

Cosmetic Surgery: A broader category of surgeries aimed at enhancing physical appearance, including arm lifts.

Compression Garment: Special clothing worn after arm lift surgery to reduce swelling and support the healing tissues.

Strength Training: Exercise that can improve muscle tone but might not eliminate excess skin, often leading patients to consider arm lift surgery.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: A highly qualified surgeon who has met rigorous standards to perform procedures like arm lifts.

Bat Wings: A colloquial term for the sagging skin under the upper arms that arm lift surgery aims to correct.

Swelling: A normal side effect after arm lift surgery as the body heals from the procedure.

Scarring: Marks left on the skin after the incisions from arm lift surgery heal.

Armpit: An area often involved in arm lift surgery where incisions may be made to remove excess skin that extends along the sides of the body.

Body Contouring: A set of procedures, including arm lifts, that reshape and improve the appearance of various body parts.

Surgical Techniques: Methods and procedures used by surgeons to perform operations like arm lifts.

Motrin: A brand of ibuprofen often recommended to manage pain and inflammation after arm lift surgery.

Advil: Another brand of ibuprofen used for pain relief and to reduce swelling post-arm lift surgery.

Stitches: Threads used to close incisions after arm lift surgery, which are removed or dissolve as the patient heals.

Post-Operative: The period following arm lift surgery where care and monitoring are crucial for proper recovery.

Lipectomy: A surgical procedure to remove fat, which can be part of an arm lift surgery.

Wound: The result of surgical incisions that need proper care during the recovery phase after an arm lift.

Telehealth: Remote medical consultations that can provide pre and post-operative care advice for arm lift surgery patients.

Thigh Lift: Like arm lift surgery, a thigh lift addresses sagging skin and stubborn fat deposits that are sometimes left behind after massive weight loss.

Arm lift recovery

Recovery time will vary from person to person, but most patients can resume light activities after 2-3 weeks and more strenuous activities like exercise and heavy lifting after 6 weeks. 

It’s normal and expected for patients to experience some tightness in the arms, along with temporary swelling, immediately after arm lift surgery and during the first week of healing. Part of your aftercare instructions includes keeping your arms slightly elevated to minimize swelling and keep you more comfortable.

You should still have normal hand function throughout your recovery. Gently moving your arms may even help you avoid discomfort, stiffness, and poor range of motion as your arms adjust to their new and improved shape!

Dr. Phelan will monitor your progress and confirm you are healing as expected at your follow-up appointments and clear you for certain activities as your body is ready. 

Arm lift results

You’ll notice an immediate improvement in the shape, contour, and firmness of your upper arms after surgery. As swelling and bruising subsides, more of your new upper arm shape will be revealed. After 3 months, your arm lift results will be very near their final appearance, with full results visible between 6-12 months once residual swelling completely resolves. 

Arm lift scars

To keep arm lift scars as inconspicuous as possible, Dr. Phelan thoughtfully places the incision to be concealed in the inner arm, toward the back of the arm where it is the least visible. She uses fine sutures and a meticulous technique to close the incision so that it heals as thin and flat as possible, though some scarring will still be visible. Proper scar care after your incision has healed helps scars heal to be as flat as possible and close to your natural skin tone.

Boston Plastic Surgery arm lift before and after patient with scar hidden along the underside of the upper arm and underarm. Before photo shows loose, sagging skin on the arms and underarms, while the after photos shows smooth unwrinkled skin with a natural contour
Before and after Boston Plastic Surgery arm lift patient
FAQs

During your consultation with Dr. Phelan, she will review your medical history, examine your arms, discuss your goals, and determine the best surgical plan for you. It’s also an opportunity to ask her any questions you may have.

Every procedure carries the risk of potential side effects and complications including infection, scarring, asymmetry, changes in skin sensation, and poor wound healing. Following all of Dr. Phelan’s post-operative care instructions can minimize these risks.

Initial results are visible immediately after surgery, but final results will be seen once the swelling has completely subsided, usually within 3 to 6 months.

The results of an arm lift are long-lasting, especially if you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Although the skin and fat removal are permanent, an arm lift won’t prevent new fat deposits from forming. Further, the natural aging process will still continue; this can eventually affect your skin’s elasticity over time.

Yes, an arm lift can be combined with other body contouring procedures such as:

If you are interested in adding other procedures to your surgery plan, Dr. Phelan would be happy to help you decide which procedures will give you the best results.

Each procedure is unique and its cost is determined by your procedure plan, facility fees, and anesthesia costs. We provide a detailed cost estimate during your consultation at our Boston practice.

Arm lift surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, we have financing options available to easily help you manage the cost of your procedure.

No, you should not lose mobility in your arms, but you may notice some temporary stiffness for a few weeks after surgery. 

Most patients can return to work within about a week, depending on their job requirements. Working from home or sitting behind a desk can be resumed as soon as you feel up to it, but if you have a physically-demanding job, you may need to modify your responsibilities or take off up to 6 weeks to prevent prolonging the healing process or impacting your results. 

We will ask you to sleep on your back with your arms elevated for the first few weeks to reduce swelling and avoid putting pressure on the incisions. Dr. Phelan will let you know when you are healed enough to safely sleep on your side without causing any adverse effects.

References »

Rohrich RJ, Mohan R, Durand PD. Brachioplasty Refinements. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2020 Apr;145(4):754e-756e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006688. 

Reed LS. Brachioplasty with limited scar. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014 Oct;41(4):753-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.06.009. 

Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. 2023 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–.

Sisti A, Cuomo R, Milonia L, Tassinari J, Castagna A, Brandi C, Grimaldi L, D’Aniello C, Nisi G. Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review. Acta Biomedica. 2018 Jan 16;88(4):393-402. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i4.5609. 

Knoetgen J 3rd, Moran SL. Long-term outcomes and complications associated with brachioplasty: a retrospective review and cadaveric study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Jun;117(7):2219-23. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000218707.95410.47.

Ready to reveal smoother, firmer upper arms?

If the appearance of your arms is holding you back from living life to the fullest, schedule an arm lift consultation with Dr. Alannah Phelan. Please call Boston Plastic Surgery at (617) 786-7600 today. 

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