Loose skin on the upper arms can be unsightly and damaging to self-esteem. It can also be uncomfortable, leading to chafing, discomfort, or even skin infections. Finding clothes that fit well can be challenging, as well.
Exercise can tighten the muscles in your upper arms. However, even the best workout regimen can only do so much to mitigate the excess skin. If exercise and diet haven’t resolved the loose skin on your upper arms, you might consider brachioplasty.
What Is Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift procedure, is surgery to remove loose skin from the upper arm between the elbow and the shoulder.1 A surgeon removes pockets of fat and excess tissue from the area. They then tighten the supportive tissues and smooth the skin on the surface of the arms.
The result of brachioplasty is a more shapely arm without loose, hanging skin. Muscles may look more defined. There will be scarring at the incision site.
Who Should Consider Brachioplasty
Candidates for brachioplasty are adults with excessive loose upper arm skin caused by conditions such as:
- Skin changes related to aging
- Losing a lot of weight, such as after weight loss surgery
- Genetic predisposition to sagging skin
- Health conditions such as lymphedema
To be eligible for surgery, you should be at a stable weight. If you smoke, you should be prepared to quit before surgery. Your doctor will discuss your overall health and ask about conditions that may make surgery unsafe.
What to Expect During Brachioplasty Surgery
Your doctor will give you instructions for the day before your arm lift surgery. You may need to refrain from eating for a certain number of hours if you are having general anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking and discuss when to take them on your surgery day.
When you arrive for your surgery, you will change into a hospital gown, and medical staff will clean the skin on your arm. Your doctor may mark your skin so they know where they will make the incision during surgery.
You will likely be given anesthesia, so you are completely unconscious during the procedure. While you are asleep, your doctor will use surgical tools to cut away excess skin. They may use liposuction to remove excess fat. They will contour the underlying tissue and close the skin over your reshaped arm. Once that is all complete, they will close the incision with stitches.
Brachioplasty Recovery
After your arm lift surgery, you will need to care for the incision site.2 You may have small tubes protruding from the incision to drain excess fluid. Your doctor will explain how to care for the drains and keep the incision clean. You may need to wear special sleeves for support after the procedure. Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent infection and manage pain.
You will be able to see the difference in how your arms look right away. You may notice some swelling and bruising, but the excess skin will be gone and your arm will look tighter despite the swelling.
Your doctor will talk to you about when you can return to activities. You may need to restrict strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise for several weeks. You may also need to wait days or weeks to drive a car or do things like housework or yard work.
Brachioplasty Costs
The average cost of brachioplasty surgery is nearly $5,000.3 This doesn’t include costs for anesthesia, medications, supportive garments, and follow-up care. Costs vary depending on where you live, how much experience your doctor has, and how complicated your surgery will be.
Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of brachioplasty, as it is considered an elective procedure. Many doctors offer financing plans so you can pay over time. Talk to your doctor about options for paying for surgery.
If you are considering brachioplasty, talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can help you decide if an arm lift is right for you.
SOURCES:
- Cleveland Clinic: “Brachioplasty (Arm Lift).”
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Brachioplasty.”
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: “Arm Lift.”
