Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
A common concern for both men and women as they age or lose weight is flabby upper arms. While diet and exercise can help you tone up your arms, surgery is typically the most effective way to address sagging skin. Brachioplasty, commonly known as arm lift surgery, removes excess skin and fatty deposits and tightens the underlying muscles to shape and define the upper arms.
The Sacramento plastic surgeons at The Natural Result / Center for Aesthetic Artistry are highly skilled in body contouring surgery including arm lift surgery — having performed over 300 arm lift procedures to date.
If you’re looking to complete your physical transformation after significant weight loss or just want to revitalize your appearance, let our board-certified plastic surgeons help you achieve your body contouring goals.
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Why Choose Us
- Surgical expertise in body contouring procedures is an important part of ensuring a positive outcome, particularly for those that are often performed after weight loss, like arm lift surgery. Our office has been specializing in post weight loss plastic surgery since 2006, and our results speak for themselves.
- Many of our patients stay with us long-term, and the same is true for most of our support staff. We’ve also worked with the same group of anesthesiologists since 2006.
- We focus on welcoming our patients as part of a community, and support you in your goal of looking and feeling your best.
- We understand that any cosmetic surgery can feel like a big step. We’re invested in helping you make the decision that’s best for you.
Best Candidates for Arm Lift Surgery
The best candidates for arm lift surgery are men or women who are in relatively good shape and have excess skin laxity around the upper arms. For those patients who notice extra fat or tissue in the upper arms, more so than loose skin, liposuction may be suggested as an alternative. Your plastic surgeon will help you decide which procedure is best for meeting your personal appearance goals.
Arm lift surgery after weight loss is often performed in combination with other post-weight loss body contouring procedures. If you have additional problem areas you want to address, you should check with your plastic surgeon about your options.
Many of our patients who have experienced extreme weight loss combine arm lift surgery with other body contouring procedures such as a thigh lift or tummy tuck. Your surgeon will use a customized approach to help you achieve the best results and bring your weight loss journey full circle.
Request Your Consult
Your Consult
During your consultation, your surgeon will ask you about your cosmetic goals and your lifestyle. Using this information, he will tailor your brachioplasty procedure to suit your needs specifically. Your consultation is a good time for you to ask any questions you may have about your surgery. It’s essential to understand all aspects of your arm lift procedure, including what to expect before and after your arm lift procedure.
You’ll be given detailed instructions concerning pre- and post-operative treatment. However, please take this time to discuss any concerns you may be feeling. Your plastic surgeon wants you to feel as comfortable, confident and informed as you can to help ease your mind and optimize your success.
What to Expect
During the brachioplasty procedure, an incision is made in the axilla, or armpit, or along the inside of the arm to reduce the visibility of scarring. From this incision, your surgeon will work to remove skin and fat from the upper arm, then smooth and reshape the remaining tissue to a tighter, more youthful appearance.
Often, liposuction may be performed at the same time, but the exact steps used during arm lift surgery will be different for each individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does an arm lift cost?Many factors go into the price of an arm lift. Costs increase over time and will vary depending on what a particular patient needs. We are committed to providing competitive pricing on all plastic surgery procedures. Discuss financing and payment options during your consultation if the cost of an arm lift is a barrier to looking and feeling your best.
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Will insurance cover the cost of an arm lift?In most cases, insurance will not cover the cost of an arm lift. However, if excess skin in the upper arms is so severe that it inhibits the proper movement and function of your arms, some health insurance policies may cover part or all of the cost of a medically necessary arm lift. If you think this could be the case for you, contact your insurance provider to inquire further.
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How do I choose the right arm lift plastic surgeon near me?Start by searching for plastic surgeons near you who have experience performing arm lift surgery and other body contouring procedures. Look at before and after photos of people with a similar body shape and build to your own, who have had arm lifts, from each plastic surgeon you are considering. Narrow your search by reading online reviews and asking around to friends and family members who may have had experience with these surgeons.
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Is an arm lift the best procedure for me?An arm lift could be right for you if excess fat and loose skin on your upper arms are concerns for you. Many people find that this trouble spot is difficult or impossible to fine-tune through diet and exercise alone, especially after massive weight loss. However, if you have minimal loose skin and are primarily concerned with excess fat, arm liposuction on its own could be a better solution. Some people choose to include an arm lift in a larger post-weight loss body contouring treatment plan, aimed at addressing multiple areas at the same time.
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Is an arm lift painful?Your arm lift should not cause any pain or discomfort during the procedure, as it is performed under general anesthesia. Directly after your arm lift, you will likely experience tenderness, swelling and bruising. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe appropriate pain management medication to help you stay comfortable while you recover.
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How long does it take to recover from an arm lift?Most people are able to return to work and other routine activities in 7 to 10 days following an arm lift. However, expect to avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks as your body continues to heal.
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How soon will I see arm lift results?You may notice an immediate improvement in the shape and contours of your arms, though swelling can camouflage initial results. As swelling and bruising gradually subside over the coming weeks and months, you should continue to see improved results. It can take 3 to 6 months to see the final result of your arm lift.
Recovery & Results
Dressing and bandages will be applied to the incisions, and you will be required to wear compression garments on your arms to reduce swelling and encourage healthy blood flow and healing. Drains may be placed to help support fluid drainage.
Although your individual experience may vary, initial arm lift recovery from brachioplasty typically takes 7 to 10 days, with full return to activities in 4 to 6 weeks. To support proper healing of your incisions, avoid placing excess pressure on your arms during the initial recovery phase. You will be given specific aftercare instructions on how to care for your incisions as well as pain management.
You may notice more toned upper arms initially after your surgery. However, your final results could take several months while you continue to heal, and the swelling and bruising continue to fade.
Once you are fully healed, you can enjoy the final results of your tighter, more sculpted upper arms for years. There will be scarring, but they shouldn’t be easily visible. Many of our patients find the benefits of their arm lift surgery far outweigh any concerns they had about scarring.
It’s important to maintain a stable, healthy weight as weight fluctuations can change the overall results.
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