Remove excess skin for toned, defined arms.
An arm lift removes loose skin and excess tissue that make the upper arms look heavy. By removing excess skin and fat, this procedure reshapes the arm to create a tighter, more toned contour.
InquireBrachioplasty is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon marks the arm with the patient upright to accurately map redundant tissue. A fusiform excision pattern is drawn along the medial arm from the axillary fold to the lateral elbow. Liposuction may be performed concurrently to refine contour before skin excision. The deep fascial layer is anchored with absorbable sutures to offload tension from the skin closure. The wound is closed in layered fashion using absorbable subcuticular sutures. Drains are placed when indicated.
An arm lift is a good fit for adults at a stable weight who are bothered by loose upper-arm skin that exercise will not fix. This is common in individuals who have experienced substantial weight loss, whether through bariatric surgery or lifestyle changes, as well as those affected by natural aging-related skin looseness. Good overall health and clear expectations regarding permanent arm scarring are essential prerequisites.
Recovery from brachioplasty happens in stages. Drains, if placed, are removed within the first week. A compression garment is worn continuously for four to six weeks to manage swelling and support healing tissues. Most patients resume desk work within ten to fourteen days, keeping the arms elevated as much as possible in the first week to minimize edema. Strenuous upper body activity and heavy lifting are restricted for six weeks. Scar maturation continues for twelve to eighteen months; silicone sheeting and sun avoidance are recommended to optimize the final scar appearance.
Rest with arms elevated, drains managed, compression garment worn. Pain and swelling peak in the first three days and gradually improve.
Return to desk work and light daily tasks. Avoid lifting more than five pounds. Bruising resolves; swelling continues to diminish.
Light cardio permitted. Compression garment may be transitioned to daytime only. Upper body restrictions begin to ease.
Full exercise resumption. Residual swelling and scar maturation continue. Scars fade significantly over six to eighteen months.
The main tradeoff of brachioplasty is permanent scarring along the inner arm, which can widen or thicken in some patients. Additional risks include hematoma, seroma, wound separation, temporary or permanent numbness, asymmetry between arms, and infection. General anesthesia carries rare risks including allergic reaction and thromboembolic events. Meticulous surgical technique and close postoperative follow-up significantly reduce these risks.
Patients with mild skin laxity and good elasticity may achieve satisfactory improvement with liposuction alone. Non-surgical body contouring devices such as radiofrequency skin-tightening can offer modest improvements but cannot address significant ptosis. For patients following massive weight loss, a combined arm lift with simultaneous liposuction is often the most comprehensive approach.
Performed by Dr. Ruben Castro in Newport Beach, California