Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Surgery
At Reid Health, our skilled plastic surgeon performs arm lift surgery to tighten and smooth your arms, while boosting your confidence.
Expert brachioplasty (arm lift surgery)
If you feel self-conscious about loose or sagging skin on your upper arms, you’re not alone. This loose skin can happen from aging, weight loss, or genetics, and it typically doesn’t go away with exercise, making it harder to achieve the toned look you want. Arm lift surgery, which surgeons call brachioplasty, can tighten and shape the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat.
At Reid Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeon sees patients from East Central Indiana, West Central Ohio, and other locations in the region. He helps you get smoother, firmer arms so you feel confident about how they look.
What is brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty removes extra skin and fat from the upper arms, usually from the armpit to the elbow. It helps reshape arms that appear saggy or loose. Our experienced surgeon makes a careful incision to remove excess tissue, giving your arms a tighter and more toned look.
Many people choose brachioplasty because excess skin can reduce their confidence or cause discomfort, chafing, or irritation. The procedure shapes and firms the upper arms, helping you feel more confident while wearing sleeveless clothes. Additionally, when combined with a healthy lifestyle, it provides long-lasting results giving you confidence and comfort for years to come.
Who should get brachioplasty?
Your plastic surgeon at Reid Health will check your health and talk with you about your goals to see if this surgery is right for you. You might be a good candidate for brachioplasty if you:
- Are in good health without serious medical problems: Good overall health helps reduce risks during surgery and supports faster healing afterward.
- Have a stable, healthy weight: Maintaining a steady weight helps your surgery results last longer.
- Have loose, sagging skin on your upper arms: Brachioplasty is designed to remove this loose skin and improve your arm’s shape and firmness.
- Don’t smoke, or are willing to stop before surgery: Smoking can slow down healing and increase the risk of complications. If you smoke, Reid Health offers a special smoking cessation program to help you quit so you can safely have your surgery.
- Want to improve your arm’s shape and tone: Brachioplasty focuses on reshaping and tightening the arms to boost confidence and comfort.
- Are ready to follow your provider’s instructions before and after surgery: Following your surgeon’s advice helps ensure the best results and a smooth, safe recovery.
Not ready for surgery?
Consider CoolSculpting Elite, a nonsurgical treatment that targets and freezes fat cells to eliminate them for good. Our experienced team has performed over 1,000 CoolSculpting procedures and can help you decide if it’s right for you.
What happens during the arm lift surgery?
Brachioplasty usually takes one to three hours and is done under general anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the surgery. The surgeon will carefully make an incision, often along the inside of your arm from your armpit to near your elbow. Then, they remove the excess tissue, and gently contour the area for a natural-looking result. The incision is then closed with stitches.
Pain and recovery time
After surgery, your arms might be sore and swollen. Most people feel some pain, but medicine from your surgeon helps with this. Many patients can go back to light activities in one to three weeks.
Using compression garments
Before you leave the hospital, your team will give you a comprehensive postsurgical discharge plan that explains steps you’ll need to take as you recover, such as wearing compression garments.
Your surgeon will ask you to wear a compression garment on your arms for several weeks after surgery. It helps reduce swelling and keeps your skin firm as it heals. Your surgeon will tell you exactly how to care for your arms and when you can stop wearing the garment.
Compression garments are available through our Home Medical Equipment store.
Tips for a smooth recovery
Recovering well after brachioplasty is important to achieve the best results and reduce the risk of complications. To help ensure a smooth and comfortable healing process, consider these helpful tips:
- Follow all your surgeon’s instructions carefully.
- Keep your incisions clean and dry.
- Wear your compression garment as instructed by your surgeon.
- Come to all your follow-up visits at Reid Health.
- Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water.
- Don’t smoke.
- Protect scars from the sun while healing.
20,000+
Number of arm lift surgeries done each year in the U.S.
1
The number of days before you’ll start to see your new arm shape after surgery (though full results and recovery can take up to a year)
90%
Percentage of patients who say they feel more confident with how their arms look after surgery
What are the risks?
Although choosing a skilled plastic surgeon and following your care plan reduces risks, all surgeries have some risks. For brachioplasty, these might include:
- Bleeding
- Changes in feeling or numbness in your skin
- Infection or poor healing of the skin
- Scars that stay visible but usually lighten over time
Why have brachioplasty at Reid Health?
At Reid Health Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, your care is our top priority. Our experienced surgeons use methods that fit your body and your goals. We also support you with detailed instructions before and after surgery to help you heal well, and we offer flexible payment options to help ensure finances don’t prevent you from achieving your aesthetic goals.
financial services
Care Credit
Care Credit offers an affordable way to pay for cosmetic surgeries and other health costs. If you qualify, the program gives you a credit card with flexible financing options, so you can receive the procedures or services you need and pay for them over time. Easy, flexible, and accepted at Reid Health.