Arm Lift
An arm lift, also called a brachioplasty, is a procedure that uses liposuction, skin-tightening surgery or both, to improve the cosmetic appearance of arms. The most common reason for an arm lift is to address sagging skin on the upper arms as a result of aging or weight loss.
Arm lifts at MU Health Care
At MU Health Care you can expect support at every step, from consultation to pre-surgery planning through postoperative care. Our team will take pictures before and after surgery to document your change and make sure we help you achieve your desired results.
During your initial meeting with our plastic surgeons, we'll talk about your goals and your medical history to help you decide which treatments best fit your goals. Almost all arm lifts are performed between the shoulder and elbow because this is the maximum area of benefit with consistent recovery times.
Good candidates for arm lifts are people who do not have serious heart or lung conditions, are a stable weight or close to their ideal weight, and non-smokers. If you smoke, please be prepared to quit smoking for six weeks before surgery and six weeks after surgery.
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, which means we perform it in our operating room under mild sedation. Most people go home the same day. People who have skin reduction surgery are asked to stay in the hospital for 24-48 hours for monitoring following surgery.
Arm lift recovery
Your surgeon will ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment two weeks after your surgery. We will provide you with compression wraps or sleeves for your upper arms, and it’s important for your recovery and long-term success that you wear compression sleeves for up to six weeks or as directed by your surgeon.
Side effects and risks
Liposuction is minimally invasive, which means it uses one or several small holes through which tubes, or cannulas, are inserted to draw out fat. It is generally a very safe procedure with few side effects or risks, and your doctor will discuss all of them with you before the procedure. The most common side effects are in appearance — ripples or undesired contours — that can be prevented or limited with compression.
The main side effect of skin tightening surgery is scar widening. It is very common after cosmetic surgery because surface tension on the skin changes how your skin heals. Your surgeon will review the location of your incision with you before surgery to make sure you understand how scar widening may affect you. We offer microneedling, a procedure that can help improve the appearance of scars.