Arm Lift in Scottsdale, AZ
One big challenge of losing weight or aging is dealing with excess skin. At Forma Plastic Surgery, we offer arm lift surgery as an intervention for patients who cannot tone or tighten their arms with exercise and diet. Excess skin between the elbow and the armpit is prevalent and often called “bat wings.” Arm lift surgery removes this hanging skin, helping patients restore youthful contours and confidence.
At Forma Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, our plastic surgeons have years of experience in performing plastic surgery, including skin tightening and fat removal surgeries. If you would like to hear more about how brachioplasty can shape your upper arms, please schedule an appointment with us.
Table of Contents
What Is an Arm Lift?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a more toned and defined appearance. This operation is especially popular among individuals who have undergone major weight loss and are left with loose, sagging skin that cannot be improved through exercise alone. Aging and genetics can also contribute to a loss of skin elasticity in the upper arms.
Before & After
Arm Lift Techniques
Regular Arm Lift
A regular arm lift is the most common technique that addresses moderate to severe skin laxity between the elbow and the armpit. This procedure involves an incision along the inner arm, through which the surgeon removes excess skin and may perform liposuction to refine the contour. It is ideal for patients who have experienced significant sagging due to aging or major weight loss and want a noticeable improvement in arm shape and firmness.
Mini Arm Lift
A mini arm lift is a less invasive option for patients with mild skin laxity, typically limited to the upper portion of the arm near the armpit. The incision is smaller and hidden in the armpit crease, making this a popular choice for those who want subtle tightening with minimal scarring. This technique is often combined with liposuction for optimal results and a smoother contour.
Extended Arm Lift
An extended arm lift is recommended for patients with more severe skin laxity that extends beyond the upper arm to the chest wall. This technique is often necessary after significant weight loss and can address excess skin and localized fat deposits in the area. The incision may run from the elbow through the armpit and onto the side of the chest to ensure comprehensive reshaping. This approach delivers dramatic improvement in contour but requires a longer recovery and more visible scarring.
Preparation for Plastic Surgery
Preparing for an arm lift surgery involves multiple steps to ensure the best possible outcome. During your consultation, our plastic surgeon will review your medical history and check the lax skin left after massive weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. Based on these observations, we can provide an accurate cost estimate.
Our surgeon will give you a comprehensive list of pre-operative guidelines. These may include quitting smoking, avoiding certain medications that could increase bleeding, and obtaining medical clearance from your general physician. You may also be asked to complete specific lab tests. Proper preparation can help minimize risks and contribute to a smoother recovery process. Follow all instructions carefully to set the stage for a successful arm lift.
What to Expect From an Arm Lift Surgery
An arm lift uses advanced techniques to reduce the extra skin and contour the arms. If you avoid sleeveless clothing because of your flabby arms and you prefer them to look healthy and fit again, an arm lift may work well for you. You should be in overall good health so your skin can recover properly. We highly recommend being at or close to your ideal weight before undergoing this surgery.
Step 1: Anesthesia
The arm lift is an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day. It is typically performed under general anesthesia and may require several hours to complete. Local anesthesia with sedation is also possible for some patients.
Step 2: Removal of Excess Skin
The sagging skin is surgically excised, starting at the elbow and extending to the armpit. We try to conceal the incision as best as possible, but a regular arm lift surgery will leave a visible scar. During a mini arm lift, the incision is hidden in the armpit, leaving no noticeable traces of cosmetic surgery.
Step 3: Liposuction (Optional)
Sometimes, patients may need liposuction to achieve their desired results. This procedure uses a thin tube (called a cannula) to remove unwanted fat from the upper arms to create better arm contours.
Step 4: Superficial Fascial System Suspension
Our surgeon may tighten the underlying supportive tissue known as the superficial fascial system (SFS) to enhance long-term outcomes. By securing this internal layer, the arm retains its new shape more effectively, promoting smoother contours and natural-looking results. This step adds structural support and helps prevent future sagging.
Step 5: Suturing
After tightening the skin, our plastic surgeon sutures it in place. You will need to keep the incisions clean, bandaged, and supported with compression garments.
Arm Lift Recovery
Recovery takes around two weeks with lots of arm elevation and rest. During this time, you should let your body heal. People use their arms more than they think, so you must ease back into everyday activities. For at least a month (4-5 weeks), we recommend avoiding all exercise and strenuous activity except for short walks. As you heal, Forma Plastic Surgery offers an array of scar management options, such as silicone sheeting, scar gels, and microneedling treatments, to help minimize the appearance of the scars.
Add-On Procedures
A breast lift can be performed alongside an arm lift to address sagging or loss of shape in the breasts, especially after weight loss or pregnancy. This procedure elevates and reshapes the breast tissue while removing excess skin, helping to reduce discomfort, such as skin irritation beneath the breasts, and restoring a more youthful contour.
Combining a tummy tuck with an arm lift can create a more balanced and complete transformation. A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin, tightens weakened muscles, and may include liposuction for a smoother midsection. It is a practical option for patients who have experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy-related changes.
A mommy makeover is a customized combination of procedures, often including an arm lift, breast surgery, and body contouring, to help women restore their pre-pregnancy shape. While results can be transformative, it is essential to approach this journey with realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the recovery and maintenance involved.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?
An arm lift is an aesthetic surgery that uses innovative techniques to contour and remove excess skin after significant weight loss, pregnancy, and age-related changes. If you avoid sleeveless clothes because of your flabby arms and would prefer them to appear fit and healthy again, you are a great candidate for arm lift surgery. You need to be in good overall health to recover properly.
The main signs you might benefit from an arm lift are hanging skin in the upper-arm region and lost skin elasticity. You must be at or near your ideal weight before your procedure. Non-smokers and those who can quit before surgery usually achieve better results after removing excess skin and fat.
The main signs you might benefit from an arm lift are hanging skin in the upper-arm region and lost skin elasticity. You must be at or near your ideal weight before your procedure. Non-smokers and those who can quit before surgery usually achieve better results after removing excess skin and fat.
What Are the Benefits of Labiaplasty?
A personalized arm lift at Forma Plastic Surgery can redefine and rejuvenate your arms with many great benefits, including:
- Removes loose skin and excess fat
- Tightens and firms the arms
- Achieves a more youthful, toned look
- Enables better movement and mobility
- Opens up more wardrobe options
- Improves comfort
- Creates dramatic, long-lasting results
- Boosts confidence and self-image
- Outpatient procedure
Arm Lift Cost in Scottsdale, AZ
Arm lift prices in Scottsdale vary from $6,000 to $12,000 based on many factors. Before determining your costs, a consultation will need to take place so our team can listen to your concerns and goals. Once this is complete, a custom treatment plan will be created along with a breakdown of your costs. Forma Plastic Surgery accepts several payment methods. We can also help you find low-interest medical financing.
Arm Lift FAQ
Can I combine an arm lift with other body contouring procedures?
It is common for arm lift patients to create a custom treatment plan that includes another surgery. This is sometimes referred to as an upper body lift and can combine liposuction, a breast lift, and/or a tummy tuck. An arm lift is also commonly performed as part of the after-weight-loss surgery for those who have lost significant weight and want full-body contouring. During your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon at Forma Plastic Surgery, each surgery will be discussed in detail so your unique treatment plan fits all your goals.
Will there be scars?
A surgical arm lift requires incisions to excise a significant amount of loose skin, which means there will be scarring from stitches. However, our plastic surgeon will make every effort to use small, thin incisions placed in less visible areas. Following your surgery, ointments to assist in scar healing will be recommended along with other tips for scar care management. The Forma Plastic Surgery team also recommends you avoid significant UV exposure for at least one year to minimize scar discoloration. Most patients consider the overall benefits of an arm lift to outweigh the minimal scars created.
Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
Although there are several great noninvasive skin tightening treatments, most of them give you small improvements. To remove moderate to severe amounts of loose skin, a surgical arm lift is your best option. In addition to eliminating loose skin, your plastic surgeon will perform liposuction on small amounts of fat and smooth the remaining skin and tissue. If you are interested in nonsurgical procedures, the Forma Plastic Surgery team can tell you about these during your consultation and then help you choose what fits your goals.
What arm lift results can I expect?
A surgical arm lift is performed to treat loose skin and stubborn pockets of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet to avoid a dramatic change in your weight, which might compromise your surgical results. Following your lift, you can begin weight training as soon as you are fully healed and our team has cleared you. This is a great way to improve the shape of your arms by toning the muscles.
Can we remove sagging skin from the upper arms in one surgical procedure?
Yes, a single arm lift procedure can remove sagging skin and provide an improved arm shape. In cases of significant skin laxity, this may also be considered reconstructive surgery, especially after major weight loss.
Why should I choose a board-certified plastic surgeon?
A board-certified plastic surgeon has specialized knowledge of the human body and advanced training in procedures like the upper arm lift, including the safe use of fat removal techniques to enhance results and minimize risk.
Why are significant weight fluctuations harmful after an arm lift surgery?
Weight fluctuations can interfere with the healing process, alter your results, and lead to the return of excess bulk. Our surgeons provide detailed instructions based on experience with past patients to help maintain long-term outcomes.
Does an arm lift involve the lower arm?
No, arm lifts focus on the upper arm only. This surgical intervention targets skin and fat from the elbow to the armpit, with the incision site typically hidden along the inner arm or within the armpit crease.
Get Back Your Shape
No matter what you call your droopy skin or the “bat wings” under your upper arms, our plastic surgeons look at it as an opportunity to improve your confidence and finish your final weight loss goal. If you are at or close to a healthy, stable weight and still cannot lose the skin and flab that hangs on your upper arms, please contact us and schedule a private consultation with the team at Forma Plastic Surgery. Arm lift surgery can help you feel fitter and younger.
