Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Brachioplasty addresses skin that sags along the underside of the upper arm, a change that follows major weight loss or the gradual loss of skin elasticity with age. No amount of triceps training removes loose skin, because the issue is the skin envelope itself; an arm lift is the only way to eliminate it and re-tighten the contour.

The surgeon makes an incision along the inner or back surface of the upper arm — its length determined by how much skin must be removed — running from the underarm toward the elbow. The excess skin is excised, any accompanying fat is reduced (with liposuction added where appropriate), and the remaining skin is redraped and closed to create a smooth, firmer arm. For patients with milder laxity confined to the upper arm near the armpit, a shorter incision…

After surgery, a compression sleeve is worn to manage swelling and support the healing tissue, and patients keep the arms elevated early on and avoid heavy lifting until cleared, generally returning to light activity within a couple of weeks. The defining trade-off of brachioplasty is the scar, which runs along the inner arm; it is placed where it is least visible with the arm at rest and fades over the first year, but its presence is discussed frankly at…