As we age our arms begin to lose some of their former beauty. The natural aging process, weight fluctuations, and gravity can all contribute to lax and sagging skin. Exercise and weight lifting may strengthen and tone weakened muscles, and tightening treatments like Thermage can only produce improvements if laxity is minimal to moderate. An arm lift will address loose, sagging skin that has lost its elasticity. This procedure, also known as a brachioplasty, aims to reduce the excess skin and fat pockets within the upper arm area as well as tighten and smooth underlying supportive tissues.

Request a complimentary consultation to learn more about upper arm lift surgery and find the best procedures and treatments to help you achieve the look you want. We offer convenient appointment times at 3 locations in Southern California to accommodate your needs.

When considering a cosmetic procedure like an arm lift, it’s important to do your research and seek the most qualified treatment team.

• Facial Aesthetic Concepts is an award-winning cosmetic surgery center that has proudly served the Orange County and Los Angeles area since 1980.
• Our offices offer the latest techniques and technologies that have helped thousands of men and women in San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and throughout Orange County improve their appearance and self-confidence.
• We offer exceptional patient care by paying special attention to your specific needs, and designing individual treatment plans to achieve optimal results. Our highly skilled team of professionals provide their expertise and exceptional service to address your personal needs and achieve your aesthetic goals.

Best Candidates for an Arm Lift

Anyone considering an arm lift will need to consider certain factors to determine whether or not this procedure is right for them. First and foremost, a good candidate for any type of surgery must be in good physical health and should have realistic expectations about the procedure and their results.

Brachioplasty surgery is a diverse and innovative procedure and will depend on many different factors, including:

• Your goals and expectations
• Your arm skin elasticity
• Amount of fatty tissue in the arm
• Location of loose skin
• Amount of weight loss
• Age, lifestyle, and overall health

An arm lift procedure generally involves making an incision from the elbow to the underside of each arm in order to remove the excess skin and fat. Before the brachioplasty surgery, a grid diagram is drawn onto the arm to demarcate the excess skin and fat that will be removed during the procedure so that only a faint incision line will remain on the underside. As the arm is rejuvenated to a normal contour, the results may be quite dramatic.

For more minor versions of an arm lift, a smaller incision is created and supplemented with liposuction for contouring. This procedure is more appropriate for younger patients that have good skin elasticity and moderate amounts of fatty tissue. The benefits of a minor arm lift include a smaller incision, which results in a smaller scar, and a shorter recovery time.

Following your arm lift surgery, your arms will be wrapped in a compression sleeve to reduce swelling. During the first 10 to 14 days post-surgery, you will most likely experience some swelling that will diminish as you continue to heal. We also recommend that our patients avoid lifting their arms overhead or straining to lift heavy objects at this time.

Any swelling and bruising should dissipate within 3 to 4 weeks or so, and scars should typically begin to fade between 6 to 24 months following the arm lift surgery, depending on the individual patient.

The smoother, tighter contours resulting from the arm lift are usually apparent almost immediately after surgery, although they will still be somewhat obscured at first due to postoperative swelling and bruising. As time passes, your final results will become more noticeable and you should experience a dramatic improvement in the tone and definition of your upper arms.

Where will incisions be made for my arm lift?

The exact location of the incisions can vary between patients. In most cases, they are made from the axilla to the elbow on the underside of the upper arm. Whenever possible, we opt for smaller incisions to minimize the scars that will be left behind.

Are the arm lift scars noticeable?

For most clients, this is their biggest concern with an arm lift. This isn’t without good reason; in most cases, the scar will run the full length of the upper arm and is visible in short-sleeved shirts and tank tops when the arm is raised. While we will reduce the length of the scar if possible, there usually isn’t the option to.

Prior to surgery, we will discuss methods you can use to minimize the appearance of your scars, including using certain creams and being extra careful during the healing phase. If you have other scars from surgeries or injuries, you can use these as a barometer to judge how visible yours will be.

Keep in mind that the appearance of scars tends to fade over time. While they start out red and lumpy, most will settle in and become lighter in appearance over the course of 12 to 18 months.

Are there risks associated with getting an arm lift?

An arm lift is a surgical procedure, and as with all surgeries, there are risks. However, they are no greater than they are with your average procedure. The most common problems to arise with an arm lift are reactions to anesthesia, excessive bleeding and post-surgical infection. Our team will take all precautions to limit the chances of these complications occurring, including prescribing you antibiotics to prevent infections from developing.

Is an arm lift painful?

Clients should anticipate some discomfort after any plastic surgery. However, compared to other cosmetic procedures, an arm lift is not considered particularly painful. For most clients, the majority of pain is gone within a few days and the discomfort is no longer notable after two weeks. We can prescribe pain medications to help you manage this and offer suggestions on how to stay comfortable as you recover.

How long will the results of an arm lift last?

Arm lift results are considered permanent, but that doesn’t mean they will last a lifetime for all clients. The greatest threats to maintaining your results long term are weight loss and weight gain. Stretching the skin through weight gain means that the tight appearance of the arm will be compromised, while weight loss allows the skin to sag. Although some degree of weight fluctuation is expected, any significant changes will most likely harm results.

What can I do to maintain my results?

You will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle that keeps your weight as stable as possible. It is also important that you take good care of your skin, eating foods that promote elasticity and staying hydrated. The better your skin, the longer your results will last.

Contact us online to schedule your arm lift consultation or to learn more about additional service options.