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An arm lift removes loose skin and excess fat from the back of the upper arm, which often hangs after weight loss or with age. It can extend into the underarm to smooth fullness near the armpit and side of the chest, for a firmer contour from the elbow to the chest.
Skin on the upper arm is thin and loses elasticity easily. After weight loss or with age it can hang in a fold that exercise cannot tighten, making sleeveless clothing uncomfortable.
Brachioplasty removes that skin through an incision along the inner arm, where it is least visible when your arms are at your sides. Liposuction is often used at the same time to refine the shape.
The length of the incision depends on how much skin is loose. A limited arm lift uses a short incision near the underarm; a full arm lift runs toward the elbow. Where fullness sits at the armpit and side of the chest, an underarm lift treats it through the armpit crease, on its own or with either arm lift. Dr. Sood will explain which suits you.
An arm lift suits adults with loose skin on the upper arms or fullness at the underarm. At consultation Dr. Sood examines both areas and explains whether a full lift, a limited lift, an underarm lift or a combination is the right plan.
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Ask Dr. SoodYes. An arm lift and underarm lift are often done together, and either can be paired with a back lift or breast surgery.
An arm lift tightens loose skin along the upper arm. An underarm lift removes fullness at the armpit and side of the chest, with the scar hidden in the armpit crease. Many patients have both in one operation.
Lower-body exercise often resumes after two to three weeks. Upper-body work waits until about six weeks.
Most patients return to desk work in one to two weeks, wearing compression sleeves for several weeks.
If the skin is firm and the concern is mostly fat, liposuction may be enough. Loose skin needs to be removed to get a smooth result.
Along the inner arm, where it is least visible with your arms at your sides. A limited lift keeps the scar within the underarm.
Board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon
Dr. Aditya Sood is an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon with over 12 years of experience specializing in a variety of plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic procedures. His focus lies in advanced aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body.
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