Arm Lift
Brachioplasty
Remove unwanted, excess arm skin
Reaching your weight loss goals is a major milestone, but for many people, it’s not the end of the story. Considerable weight loss can leave behind excess skin in prominent areas such as the arms, leading to hanging tissue often referred to as “bat wings.”
Other times, sagging skin might be the result of aging or genetics. Regardless of the cause, if you’re bothered by the appearance of your upper arms and find yourself hiding them under baggy sweaters or long-sleeved shirts, an arm lift at PURE Plastic Surgery can get rid of loose skin and help you achieve a tighter, more toned appearance.
What is an Arm Lift?
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure used to contour and reshape the upper arms, creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It works by permanently removing excess skin from the underarm to the elbow. After an arm lift, you can expect to have slimmer, more toned arms that you can show off with confidence.
Brachioplasty is particularly beneficial for patients with loose or hanging arm skin that cannot be addressed with diet or exercise — this type of sagging often occurs due to aging or substantial weight loss and needs to be corrected surgically. An arm lift can put the “finishing touch” on your weight loss journey by helping you achieve a slimmer appearance that more accurately reflects your new body size and shape.
Benefits of an Arm Lift
An arm lift at PURE offers aesthetic and functional improvements that can boost your confidence and improve your quality of life. Whether you’re looking to eliminate loose skin after significant weight loss or enhance the contours of aging arms, this procedure is designed to help you reach your goals. Some key benefits of an arm lift include the following:
- Eliminate loose, hanging arm skin
- Sculpt more toned and defined arm contours
- Improve your upper body proportions
- Reduce itchiness or discomfort caused by excess skin
- Enhance the results of recent or ongoing weight loss
- More clothing options & improved self-esteem
- Combinable with other procedures for comprehensive results
Our compassionate and qualified board-certified plastic surgeons will carefully evaluate your needs and develop a plan that aligns with your desired outcome. Our goal is to help you achieve toned, youthful arms that make you feel confident in your appearance.
What Procedures Can be Combined With an Arm Lift?
Liposuction
Breast Procedures
Tummy Tuck
Skin-Tightening Technology
Am I a candidate for a Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)?
If you’ve struggled with excess skin or fat in the upper arms that hasn’t improved with diet or exercise, you might be an ideal candidate for an upper arm lift. At PURE, our surgeons often recommend brachioplasty for patients with the following concerns:
- Hanging skin that jiggles when you wave (“bat wings”)
- Loose, sagging skin following significant weight loss
- Arm skin that has lost its elasticity and tightness
- If you’re constantly thinking about your arms
- If your arms are keeping you from wearing clothes you love
- Skin irritation and rashes caused by folds of arm skin
- Loose skin that hinders your range of motion
It is ideal to achieve a stable weight before undergoing an arm lift, as weight fluctuations can adversely impact the outcome of your procedure. Maintaining a healthy weight ensures that you’ll be able to enjoy firmer and more toned arms for many years. It’s natural to lose some firmness in the arms with age, but overall, brachioplasty results are considered permanent.
Your Arm Lift consultation
We understand that sharing your concerns about your arms can be difficult, but you’ll find a safe and supportive environment at PURE. Our team will listen to all of your concerns and answer any questions that you may have concerning your brachioplasty, ensuring it is the right procedure for reaching your goals and that you are comfortable moving forward with surgery.
To make the most of your consultation, here’s what to expect:
- Examination: Our team will conduct an exam to evaluate the degree of sagging in the upper arms. This can be done in person or virtually.
- Goals & Expectations: During your consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your needs and expectations. The team will explain what results can realistically be achieved and develop a personalized treatment plan for just you.
- Procedure Explanation: The team will walk you through the surgical process, including the incision placement, anesthesia options and expected recovery time. They will also outline the potential risks and benefits to ensure you are fully informed.
- Real-Life Results: You’ll also be given the opportunity to see real-life before and after photos to give you a better idea of the expected results.
- Next Steps: If you decide to proceed with the arm lift, our team will help you schedule your surgery and provide pre-operative instructions.
We recommend bringing a summary of your medical history, including past surgeries and relevant health conditions, along with a current list of medications and supplements you take. Questions or concerns are always welcome, and writing them down ahead of time can help guide the discussion. If you are having a virtual consultation, we may have you provide clear photos of your upper arms taken from multiple angles so we can better assess your skin laxity and talk about your next steps.
How does an
Arm Lift work?
Before your surgery, you’ll be given instructions to follow to prepare for your procedure, which may include avoiding certain medications, abstaining from smoking and not eating after midnight. Make sure to follow any instructions carefully as not doing so could delay or cancel your surgery. Your arm lift will be performed on an outpatient basis at our state-of-the-art surgical facility in Miami.
On the day of your brachioplasty, you’ll be given general anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the surgical process. Next, your surgeon will make an incision to remove loose skin and a small amount of excess fat. Incisions are strategically placed on either the back or underside of your arm to minimize visible scarring after surgery.
After your brachioplasty, you’ll be taken to a recovery room and monitored as the effects of anesthesia wear off. Your care nurse will go over information regarding your healing, wound maintenance, and recovery time. You’ll be able to return home the same day as your procedure but will need a responsible adult to pick you up from our surgical suite.
What kind of results can I expect?
You will see an improvement in the shape of your arms immediately after your procedure. However, there will be some swelling that lasts for a few days or weeks and may obscure your final results — this will improve as your body heals to reveal long-lasting, beautifully sculpted arms.
Although brachioplasty will leave a scar behind, our surgeons take great care to place your incision under the arm to minimize visibility. Most patients are happy to trade a scar for improved arm contours, and with time, the incision line will become less noticeable.
In addition to providing instructions on caring for your incisions after surgery, our practice offers advanced treatments to enhance the healing process and further reduce the appearance of scars as they mature, such as IPL and Morpheus8 microneedling. IPL therapy uses intense pulsed light to target redness and discoloration and flatten scar tissue, making it less noticeable. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with RF (radiofrequency) energy to trigger the body’s natural regenerative abilities, increasing collagen production to diminish scar visibility.
Your surgeon will meet with you in the first few days after your surgery to ensure that you’re healing as you should be. Your new arm contours are permanent, but you’ll want to make sure you maintain a healthy diet and keep your weight at a stable level to reap the best outcome.
Maintaining Your Arm Lift Results
Long-term results after an arm lift depend on maintaining a stable weight, following a healthy lifestyle, and supporting your skin with consistent care. Weight fluctuations can stretch the skin and affect the appearance of your arms, so it's important to follow a nutrition and exercise routine that keeps you healthy and at a stable weight.
Hydration, sun protection, and a regular skincare regimen can also help preserve skin texture and firmness in the arms and can help prevent scars from being more noticeable. If you ever notice changes in your arms that concern you, we can discuss touch-up options or nonsurgical treatments during a follow-up visit.
Aftercare Following Arm Lift Surgery
After your arm lift surgery, be sure to:
- Keep your arms elevated on pillows while resting to support circulation and minimize fluid buildup.
- Walk every day to support healthy blood flow, even during the early stages of recovery.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol intake during your healing period, as both can delay tissue repair.
- Take any prescribed medications and check in with your surgeon before introducing any new supplements.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects or raising your arms above shoulder level until cleared by your surgeon.
- Keep incision sites clean and dry, and follow instructions for dressing changes to avoid infection.
- Wear your compression garment exactly as directed, removing it only when instructed.
Attend all scheduled follow-up visits so we can monitor healing and address any concerns early.
Your Arm Lift recovery
Your brachioplasty recovery should go smoothly, but as with any surgery, you’ll want to monitor for various side effects that can occur, such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Excessive pain, redness, or swelling
- Pain in other parts of the body
- Incisions that don’t heal completely
You can expect pain and swelling in treated areas for a few weeks after surgery, along with some bruising. These side effects are normal and will subside as your body heals. You’ll be wrapped in a compression garment that may restrict your arm movement but will ease discomfort and optimize your results. Recovery can take up to six weeks, during which time you’ll want to avoid strenuous activities and exercise. Most patients are able to return to work and light activities within a few days.
At PURE, we want you to have the best experience possible, so our team will provide you with detailed post-op instructions, activity guidelines and incision care techniques to ensure a smooth recovery. If you have any questions or concerns at any point after your surgery, don’t hesitate to contact our office — our team is here to support you every step of the way.
About Us
PURE Plastic Surgery is a global destination for plastic surgery, and we welcome patients from Miami and around the world. We practice Smart Aesthetics™, an approach built on understanding each patient’s proportions, goals and anatomy to guide surgical decisions.
Our practice is led by double-board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. S. Alexander Earle, Dr. Natalia Vidal and Dr. Garrett Wegerif, who each bring years of training, technical skill and a shared commitment to patient-centered care. If you are considering brachioplasty surgery or another face or body procedure, we give you the personal attention you need from consultation to recovery.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Can Loose Skin Be Eliminated with Diet or Exercise?
What Risks Are Associated With Brachioplasty?
Will There Be Scarring?
Are the Results of Arm Lift Surgery Permanent?
Can I Combine My Arm Lift With Other Procedures?
How will hot weather affect my arm lift recovery in Miami?
When can I swim again after brachioplasty?
Can I come to Miami for an arm lift if I am out of state?
How much does brachioplasty cost?
Amazing place to have your plastic surgery! Thank you so much Pure Plastic Surgery for such a great experience. From the initial consultation to post-surgery follow-ups, the entire experience was top-notch. Dr. Garret Wegerif expertise and professionalism put me at ease, and the outcome exceeded my expectations. Thanks to all the team for checking up on me every day….. you are the best!
I just had my procedure with Dr. Earle, I did an extensive search to find nothing but the best Dr. Earle. He is knowledgeable, caring and professional, the entire team made my experience very smooth and pleasant. From the first call and afterwards; I felt reassured I have chosen an excellent practitioner. The results were beyond my expectations and they took care of details I’ve never experienced before with other surgeons. You are in good hands with Dr. Earle and his entire team, excellent care and results!!! Thank you !!!
The staff at pure is absolutely amazing!
Dr. Garret is a highly professional plastic surgeon. His staff are warm and very friendly. I did a breast and lift augmentation; He did an excellent job! I love my results. I would recommend him with closed eyes.
