In this guide16 sections
- Key Points
- What Is Brachioplasty?
- How Many Types of Arm Lift Are There?
- Mini Arm Lift
- Standard (Full) Arm Lift
- What Is an Extended Arm Lift?
- Arm Lift vs Extended Arm Lift: Which Do I Need?
- Arm Lift With Liposuction
- Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Alternatives
- Am I Suitable for an Arm Lift?
- What Happens During an Arm Lift?
- Recovery After an Arm Lift
- Risks of Arm Lift Surgery
- How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Key Points
- There are four main types of arm lift (brachioplasty): mini, standard (full), extended, and arm lift combined with liposuction.
- The type depends on where the loose skin sits: near the armpit only, along the whole upper arm, or continuing onto the side of the chest.
- A mini arm lift leaves a short scar in the armpit. A standard arm lift leaves a scar from the armpit towards the elbow. An extended arm lift continues the scar down the side of the chest.
- Liposuction is added only where there is excess fat; it is not part of every arm lift.
- If the main problem is fat rather than skin, liposuction or BodyTite may be enough without a skin-removing operation.
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms and tightens what remains. But not every arm lift is the same operation. The right type for you depends on how much loose skin you have, where it is, and whether there is excess fat as well. This guide explains each type of arm lift, who it suits, what the scar looks like and how to tell which may be right for you.
At Centre for Surgery, arm lifts are performed by GMC-registered plastic surgeons at our Baker Street hospital in London, which is CQC-regulated and rated Good overall.
What Is Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is the medical name for an arm lift. It removes a strip of loose skin, and sometimes fat, from the underside of the upper arm, then closes the skin so it sits more firmly over the arm. It is commonly done after major weight loss, but ageing and genetics also cause loose skin in this area, often called bingo wings. Every type of arm lift removes skin, so every type leaves a scar; the type you have largely decides where that scar goes and how long it is.
How Many Types of Arm Lift Are There?
| Type | Suits | Scar |
|---|---|---|
| Mini arm lift | Mild loose skin in the upper third of the arm, near the armpit | Short scar hidden in the armpit |
| Standard (full) arm lift | Moderate to severe loose skin along the upper arm | Inner or back of the arm, from armpit towards the elbow |
| Extended arm lift | Loose skin on the arm that continues onto the side of the chest, usually after major weight loss | Along the arm, through the armpit and down the side of the chest |
| Arm lift with liposuction | Loose skin plus excess fat | As for the arm lift type chosen, plus small liposuction entry points |
Mini Arm Lift
A mini arm lift (limited incision brachioplasty) suits people with a small amount of loose skin high on the arm, close to the armpit. The skin is removed through an incision in the armpit crease, and the upper arm skin is lifted towards it. The scar is short and largely hidden when your arm is by your side.
It does not tighten skin further down the arm towards the elbow. Our guide to what a mini arm lift is explains it in more detail.
Standard (Full) Arm Lift
The standard arm lift is the commonest type. It suits moderate to severe loose skin along the length of the upper arm. The incision runs from the armpit towards the elbow, either along the inner arm or slightly towards the back of the arm, where it is less visible from the front and side. Through this incision, the loose skin is removed, the deeper tissue is supported and the wound is closed in layers.
The scar is long, and how it heals varies from person to person. In return, a standard arm lift gives a much larger change in arm shape than a mini arm lift or non-surgical treatment. Surgeons differ in exactly where they place the scar; reviews have found no single incision position is clearly superior, and the choice is tailored to your arms and preferences.[3] Our guide to arm lift scars covers how to look after the scar.
What Is an Extended Arm Lift?
An extended arm lift (extended brachioplasty) treats loose skin that does not stop at the armpit but continues down the side of the chest, sometimes as far as the bra line. This is common after major weight loss. The incision runs along the arm, across the armpit and down the side of the chest wall, so loose skin on both areas is removed in one operation.
Recovery is a little longer than after a standard arm lift. An extended arm lift can also form part of an upper body lift, which treats the arms, the side of the chest and the upper back together.
Arm Lift vs Extended Arm Lift: Which Do I Need?
The difference is where your loose skin ends. Raise your arm out to the side: if the loose skin stops at the armpit, a standard arm lift is usually enough. If there is a fold of skin continuing from the armpit down the side of your chest, an extended arm lift deals with both in one scar rather than leaving a step at the armpit. Your surgeon will check this at consultation.
Arm Lift With Liposuction
Some people have excess fat in the arms as well as loose skin. In that case, liposuction can be added to the arm lift to slim the arm before the skin is tightened. Liposuction is not part of every arm lift and is only included where there is fat to remove. A meta-analysis of 1,578 brachioplasty patients in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ↗ found that adjunctive liposuction lowered the rate of certain complications.[1]
Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Alternatives
If your concern is mainly fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may be enough. For mild loose skin, BodyTite arm tightening uses radiofrequency under the skin to tighten it without a long scar. These options do not remove skin, so they will not correct a fold of skin that hangs when you hold your arm out. Our guide to arm lift vs arm liposuction compares them.
Am I Suitable for an Arm Lift?
You may be suitable if you:
- Are aged 18 or over and in good general health.
- Have loose skin on the upper arms that has not improved with exercise.
- Have had a stable weight for at least six months, and ideally 12 months after major weight loss.
- Do not smoke, or will stop for at least four weeks before and four weeks after surgery.
- Accept that you will have a permanent scar, and have realistic expectations.
What Happens During an Arm Lift?
An arm lift at Centre for Surgery is performed under TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia), delivered entirely through a vein rather than via inhaled gases. The operation usually takes one to three hours, depending on the type and whether liposuction is included. The skin is marked beforehand with you standing, the loose skin is removed, and the wound is closed in layers with dissolvable stitches. Dressings and a compression garment are then applied, and most people go home the same day.
Recovery After an Arm Lift
- Swelling and bruising are worst in the first week or two.
- Keep your arms raised on pillows when resting, and avoid lifting your arms above shoulder height early on.
- Most people return to desk-based work after one to two weeks.
- A compression garment is usually worn for around six weeks.
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are avoided for at least six weeks.
- Scars fade gradually over 12 to 18 months.
Our arm lift recovery guide covers this in more detail.
Risks of Arm Lift Surgery
The 2022 brachioplasty meta-analysis ↗ gives a useful picture of the risks:[1]
- Wide, raised or otherwise unfavourable scarring: around 10%.
- Some recurrence of loose skin: around 8%.
- Wound breakdown: around 7%.
- Seroma (fluid collection): around 6%.
- Infection: around 4%.
- Nerve-related problems, such as numbness: around 2.5%.
- Swelling from lymphatic problems: around 2.5%.
About 7% of patients had a further, usually minor, operation to improve the appearance. After major weight loss, satisfaction remains high despite the scar: in one series of 31 patients, 94% said they would have the operation again.[2]
How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?
The cost depends on the type of arm lift and whether liposuction is included, and is confirmed after your consultation. Current prices are in our arm lift cost guide. Finance is available, subject to status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mini arm lift and a full arm lift?
A mini arm lift removes a small amount of skin near the armpit through a short scar in the armpit. A full arm lift treats loose skin along the whole upper arm, with a scar from the armpit towards the elbow.
What is an extended arm lift?
An arm lift whose incision continues from the armpit down the side of the chest, to remove loose skin on both the arm and the side of the chest. It is most often needed after major weight loss.
Where is the scar after an arm lift?
For a mini arm lift, in the armpit. For a standard arm lift, along the inner or back of the upper arm. For an extended arm lift, it also runs down the side of the chest.
Does an arm lift always include liposuction?
No. Liposuction is added only when there is excess fat as well as loose skin.
How long do arm lift results last?
The skin removed does not come back, so the improvement is long-lasting if your weight stays stable. Your skin will continue to age naturally.
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, it is sometimes combined with a breast lift, tummy tuck or thigh lift as part of body contouring after weight loss. Your surgeon will advise whether combining is safe for you.
References
- Aljerian A, Abi-Rafeh J, Ramirez-GarciaLuna J, Hemmerling T, Gilardino MS. Complications in brachioplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;149(1):83-95. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000008652 ↗
- Symbas JD, Losken A. An outcome analysis of brachioplasty techniques following massive weight loss. Ann Plast Surg. 2010;64(5):588-591. doi:10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181c6cde8 ↗
- Miotto G, Ortiz-Pomales Y. Arm contouring: review and current concepts. Aesthet Surg J. 2018;38(8):850-860. doi:10.1093/asj/sjx218 ↗
