An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes excess loose skin and fat from the upper arms to give a firmer, smoother contour. It helps people with sagging upper-arm skin from weight loss, ageing or heredity, who are at a stable weight, in good health and non-smokers. Depending on skin laxity, it ranges from liposuction alone to an extended lift.
- AnaesthesiaUsually general anaesthesia
- DurationTypically 1-3 hours
- Hospital stayDay care or overnight
- Back to routineUsually 1-2 weeks for light activity
What is arm lift?
Loose, sagging skin on the upper arms can result from significant weight changes, ageing and heredity, and it does not improve with exercise. Brachioplasty tightens the upper arm by removing excess skin and, where needed, fat.
The approach depends on skin quality. Liposuction alone may be enough when skin elasticity is good. A hidden or minimal-incision brachioplasty, with a scar in the armpit, suits modest skin excess. A traditional brachioplasty, with a scar along the inner arm, treats more extensive laxity, and an extended brachioplasty reaching onto the chest wall is typically used after massive weight loss, such as after bariatric surgery.
Results are long-lasting if weight and fitness remain stable, although some natural loss of firmness occurs with ageing. Many patients also consider other body-contouring procedures. Arm lift is considered cosmetic and is generally not covered by health insurance.
Who is arm lift for?
- People with noticeable upper-arm skin laxity
- Those with a stable body weight and good physical health
- Non-smokers
- People after major weight loss, including after bariatric surgery
- Not suitable with obesity, heavy smoking, minimal laxity, or conditions that raise surgical risk
How is it done?
- Consultation to discuss goals, health, medicines and previous surgery; photographs are taken
- Usually under general anaesthesia
- Liposuction alone, or excision of skin through an armpit, inner-arm or extended incision
- Deeper tissues are supported and the skin closed with stitches
- Compression bandaging is applied; a temporary drain may be placed
What is recovery like?
- Compression bandages or garments are usually worn for several weeks
- Swelling and bruising are expected at first and settle over weeks
- Regular wound dressings; drains, if used, are typically removed within a few days
- Light activity usually resumes within 1-2 weeks; heavy lifting is avoided for several weeks
- Smoother contours become apparent as swelling resolves over a few months
What are the risks?
- Swelling, bruising and scarring along the inner arm or armpit
- Numbness of the arm skin
- Bleeding (haematoma) or fluid collection (seroma) along the incision
- Swelling of the hand or forearm
- Infection, wound separation or asymmetry
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
Can exercise get rid of loose skin on my arms?
Exercise can tone the underlying muscle and reduce fat, but it cannot tighten loose, stretched skin. When skin has lost its elasticity after weight loss or ageing, removing the excess skin with an arm lift is usually the only way to tighten it.
Will an arm lift leave a scar?
Yes. The scar depends on the technique: a short armpit scar for a minimal-incision lift, or a longer scar along the inner arm for a traditional or extended lift. Scars are placed to be as discreet as possible and typically fade over 12-18 months.
Is liposuction enough for my arms?
If your arm skin still has good elasticity and the issue is mainly fat, liposuction alone may be enough. If the skin is loose and hangs, liposuction can make it look looser, so skin excision is needed. An examination determines which approach suits you.
Is an arm lift covered by insurance?
Arm lift is generally classified as a cosmetic procedure and is usually not covered by health insurance. Check with your insurer, especially if surgery follows massive weight loss, as policies vary.
How long do arm lift results last?
Results are long-lasting provided your weight and fitness stay stable. Natural ageing causes some gradual loss of firmness over the years, and significant weight gain or loss can affect the result.
