The appearance of loose, excess skin on the arms is a common problem for many women. Whether it is due to major weight loss, pregnancy, or the natural aging process, the skin on the upper arms hangs loose, especially on the undersides.
Exercise can strengthen and improve muscle tone in the upper arms, but it can not do anything about excess skin that has lost elasticity. This often leads to insecurity and self-consciousness, especially when wearing short-sleeved shirts or blouses.
An arm lift is a surgical procedure that removes what is commonly referred to as “bat wings,” which is the sagging skin and excess fat on the upper arms. An arm lift or Brachioplasty is a commonly requested cosmetic procedure because it removes excess fat and skin and tightens and shapes the underarms.
Some other benefits of arm lift surgery include:
- Smoother contours and skin
- Better proportions with the rest of the body
- Lighter arms that allow more freedom to move
- Increased self-confidence
As one of the top providers of arm lift in Houston, TX, our team of board-certified surgeons at Memorial Plastic Surgery employs a range of techniques to perform this procedure and help women achieve their desired look.
real patient Brachioplasty results
Ideal Candidates for Arm Lift
The ideal candidate for an arm lift procedure is any person who, despite eating healthy and exercising regularly, still can not achieve the results they want on their upper arms. Anyone who has lost weight and suffers from sagging skin that does not match the rest of their body can also undergo this procedure to achieve a more proportioned figure.
Good candidates for an arm lift include individuals:
- With significant excess skin and laxity on the upper arms
- With relatively stable weight
- Without any pre-existing medical conditions
Request Your Consultation
You can request a consultation online or if you have any questions please call the office
713-633-4411.
Arm Lift with MPS Top Doctors
As with any surgical procedure, patients who wish to undergo an arm lift will first meet with our team of board-certified plastic surgeons for an initial consultation.
During this consultation, we will discuss the patient’s goals and expectations for the procedure. Our doctors will also assess their health and discuss their options for achieving the desired results.
Arm lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 2 – 3 hours.
Liposuction is often performed first to reveal the true extent of sagging skin after excess fat is removed. A carefully planned incision is made by your surgeon in a well-hidden area to remove the excess skin. A dissolvable suture material is then placed inside the skin.
Brachioplasty Video
Your Arm Lift Options
There are many different types of arm lifts, tailored to the different degrees of correction needed for each patient. A treatment plan is created and discussed with the patient after the initial consultation with our doctors.
Traditional Arm Lift (Full Brachioplasty)
This is the most common form of Brachioplasty, using a linear scar from the armpit to the elbow to remove excess skin and fat along the entire upper arm.
Hidden Arm Lift (Mini Brachioplasty)
This technique is recommended for patients who have only moderate skin laxity in the upper part of the upper arm. The incision is usually made along the crease of the underarm, resulting in a small and well-hidden scar and a shorter recovery time.
Extended arm lift (Extended Brachioplasty)
This technique is appropriate for patients with excessively sagging skin and tissue. It combines a linear scar from the outer chest and upper arm that extends to the elbow along the underside of the arm. Because of the extent of this technique, it is often part of an upper-body lift to reshape the upper arms and lift the outer back and chest rolls.
Arm Liposuction
In this technique, fat is strategically suctioned from the shoulder to the triceps. Arm liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure and is often performed to remove stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. The result is a toned and muscular figure on the upper arms. The procedure is best performed on patients in their 20s to 30s, as the skin is still elastic at this age.
Cost & Financing
The average cost of an arm lift in Houston ranges from $9,250+. The total cost varies depending on several factors:
- The techniques used and extent of the procedure
- Facility fees
- Fees for anesthesia
- Surgeon’s fees, which varies per doctor
After the initial consultation, patients will receive an accurate estimate of the cost.
Memorial Plastic Surgery accepts all major credit cards, personal checks, and cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and Etherium) for payment. We also offer financing options that can help with the cost of surgery.
Recovery & Results
An arm lift surgery is usually an outpatient procedure but may require an overnight stay if a large amount of fat and skin is removed. After the procedure, our doctors bandage the arms and compress them with a surgical garment to speed healing. Depending on how well the patient recovers, the compression garment worn over the arms may be removed within 1 – 2 months or as approved by our doctors.
During recovery after your arm lift, patients may experience some pain, swelling, and bruising in the surgical area, but this should subside in the first two weeks. Our doctors will prescribe painkillers to help ease the discomfort.
We recommend elevating the arms with pillows to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling. It is recommended to wear loose clothing that is easy to put on and take off, and to avoid pullovers as much as possible to avoid putting additional stress on the arms during recovery.
After the first month, most patients are able to resume normal daily activities, including light exercise. Below is a chart showing the expected timeline for recovery after an arm lift.
Depending on the type of arm lift performed and the amount of skin removed, full recovery may take 3 to 6 months. Because of the location of the incisions, the scar is easily hidden between the arm and the breast and will continue to fade over the next year.
| Post-op Obstacles | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
|
Soreness, bruising, swelling |
1 – 2 weeks |
|
Bandaged incisions |
2 weeks |
|
Compression garment |
4 – 6 weeks |
| Daily Activities | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
|
Showering |
2 days after surgery |
|
Light activities (chores, mild exercises, etc.) |
2 – 3 weeks |
|
Work |
1 – 2 weeks |
|
Strenuous activities (heavy lifting and intense exercise) |
4 – 6 weeks, or upon clearance by our surgeon |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, an arm lift is commonly combined with liposuction and other breast and body contouring procedures.
Can fat from arm liposuction be used for fat grafting?
Yes, harvested fat from your arms can be used for fat grafting. However, the grafted area is limited to how much fat was able to be removed during liposuction.
Is it possible to have a revision or secondary arm lift?
Revision arm lift procedures are performed to correct issues, such as complications or undesirable initial results. However, in some cases, it may be deemed irreversible to correct.
*The content and images on this page are provided with the sole intention of educating potential patients on the procedure discussed above. Results vary per individual and are dependent on our doctor’s consultation prior to the procedure. We strongly recommend undergoing a formal consultation with a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon prior to scheduling and undergoing any surgical or non-surgical treatment.
