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Brachioplasty
After significant weight loss, many individuals find themselves with excess skin on their upper arms, often referred to as "bat wings." An arm lift, or Brachioplasty, is a transformative procedure designed to remove this loose skin and reshape the underside of your upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow. The goal is to create a smoother, more toned contour that aligns with your new body shape, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in your clothes and in your own skin.
ARM LIFT (BRACHIOPLASTY)
IN SEATTLE
WHAT IS AN ARM LIFT?
An Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) is a cosmetic procedure to remove the loose, flabby skin on the inner and posterior aspect of the upper arms. As we age or with weight fluctuations, the skin of the upper and posterior arm stretches out and cannot be tightened with diet and exercise alone. This area in particular is a source of insecurity for many patients as this loose skin is very visible with short sleeved shirts or tank tops. There are often extra fat deposits on the back of the arm as well, which can be liposuctioned simultaneously during an arm lift. The incision is hidden on the inner aspect of the arms and not visible from a frontal view. After a significant weight loss journey, many of my patients find that while they feel healthier and more active, they are left with a reminder of their former weight in the form of "bat wings" or loose, sagging skin on the upper arms. My goal with an Arm Lift is to restore a more toned, youthful contour to your arms so that you can feel confident and comfortable in short sleeves or sleeveless tops.
TYPES OF ARM LIFTS:
Just like most anything in plastic surgery, there are numerous types of arm lifts which can be performed. Each procedure is meant to tailor the procedure to the surgical patient, their specific anatomy, and their cosmetic surgery goals. Below are the most common types of arm lifts performed:
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE?
The best candidates for an Arm Lift are individuals who have reached a stable weight and are in good overall health. If you have significant skin laxity on your upper arms that doesn't respond to exercise, you may be a great candidate. As with all surgical procedures, being a non-smoker is essential for proper healing. During our time together, we will discuss your goals and ensure this procedure is the right step for your body.
BEFORE YOUR CONSULTATION
Before we meet, I encourage you to think about what bothers you most about your arms and what you hope to achieve. If you are considering multiple areas to address, it's important to have an idea of what areas are most important to you, as staging surgical procedures is common after significant weight loss. It’s also helpful to have a list of any medications you’re taking and your surgical history ready. If you’ve recently undergone weight loss surgery, please ensure your weight has been stable for at least six months to a year.
THE CONSULTATION
During your consultation, we will have a real conversation about your goals. I will perform a physical exam to assess the quality of your skin and the amount of excess tissue. We’ll talk about where the incisions will be placed—typically along the inside of the arm where they are best concealed—and whether liposuction should be included to achieve the best possible contour. I want you to leave our meeting feeling fully informed and comfortable with the plan we’ve created together.
THE PROCEDURE
An Arm Lift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under IV sedation or general anesthesia. On the day of surgery, I will meticulously mark the areas for skin removal while you are awake to ensure precision and make your time under anesthesia as minimal as possible. Once you are asleep, I will remove the excess skin and fat, and carefully close the incisions with deep, dissolvable sutures to provide the best possible scar. Liposuction is often combined with skin excision to improve results. The entire process is focused on creating a natural, balanced look that complements your new physique.
AFTER SURGERY
Recovery is a vital part of your journey. You will likely wear a compression garment for an average of 3-6 months to minimize swelling and support your new arm contours. Most patients take about one to two weeks off work, depending on the nature of their job. While swelling usually peaks around day three or four, you’ll start to see your new shape emerge shortly after. At no point in your journey will you be on bed rest after surgery. However, arm use will be limited (especially in the first few weeks) and you will be restricted to no heavy lifting and no arms above 90 degrees for a minimum of 4 weeks postoperatively. We will follow up periodically throughout your healing journey to ensure everything is on track and you are recovering as expected.
TRADITIONAL
ARM LIFT
Standard Brachioplasty
SHORT SCAR
ARM LIFT
Short Scar Brachioplasty
EXTENDED
ARM LIFT
Extended Brachioplasty
STANDARD ARM LIFT
A "Standard arm lift" will tighten skin mainly on the posterior aspect of the upper arm. The incision is made to run from above the inner elbow to the axillary region and be hidden when the arms are down by a patient's side.
Liposuction is commonly performed simultaneously with an arm lift to debulk the arm and help contour the aesthetic results. The ideal candidate for this procedure has loose skin on the entire back of the arm that cannot be tightened with diet & exercise alone.
SHORT SCAR ARM LIFT
Although a very attractive option, few patients are ideal candidates for a short scar arm lift. The scar is positioned not on the arm itself but within the axillary crease. Due to its short nature, this plastic surgery procedure is limited in its ability to tighten skin. Ideal candidates have only a small amount of loose skin on the backs of the arms.
Liposuction of the remainder of the arm can be done simultaneously.
EXTENDED ARM LIFT
An extended arm lift combines a standard arm lift incision along the inner aspect of the upper arm and extends through the axillary region onto the sides of the chest. This plastic surgery procedure is ideal for patients with significant skin laxity of the upper arm and is commonly performed after massive weight loss.
This procedure can be combined with liposuction and in conjunction with a breast lift to help tighten the tissue on the lateral chest.
01
Will I have visible scars after an arm lift?
Scars are a natural part of any surgical procedure, and with an arm lift, the incision typically runs from the armpit to the elbow. I am very meticulous about placing these incisions on the inside or back of the arm where they are best concealed. While the scars are visible initially, they fade significantly over time. I will also provide you with a detailed scar-care regimen to ensure they heal as beautifully as possible.
03
Can liposuction alone fix my "bat wings"?
Liposuction is excellent for removing stubborn fat, but it cannot tighten loose, hanging skin. If you have significant skin laxity after weight loss, liposuction alone might actually make the skin look more "deflated." For most post-weight loss patients, a combination of liposuction and surgical skin removal (Brachioplasty) is the best way to achieve a firm, toned contour.
02
How long is the recovery time before I can lift my arms?
You’ll be able to move your arms gently immediately after surgery, but you should avoid lifting them above shoulder height for the first two weeks. Most patients can return to light activities and desk work within 10 to 14 days. I recommend waiting about six weeks before returning to heavy lifting or intense upper-body workouts to ensure the internal tissues have fully healed.
04
When is the best time to get an arm lift after weight loss?
The best time is when your weight has been stable for at least six months. Significant weight fluctuations after surgery can compromise your results. I also recommend that you are in a good place with your nutrition and overall health to support the best possible healing process.