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An arm lift, medically known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your upper arms while tightening underlying tissues. This creates smoother, more toned-looking arms that better match your body proportions. During the procedure, your surgeon makes an incision typically along the inside or back of your upper arm, extending from your elbow to your armpit. Through this incision, they remove excess sagging skin and fat, then tighten and smooth the remaining tissue. The result is firmer, more contoured upper arms with improved definition. Arm lifts are particularly effective for people who have lost significant weight or experienced age-related skin laxity. When diet and exercise have toned your arm muscles but loose, hanging skin remains, an arm lift addresses what workouts cannot fix. The procedure reshapes your upper arms from armpit to elbow, eliminating the 'bat wing' appearance that many find frustrating.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for arm lift surgery. Understanding whether you're a good fit helps ensure your safety and satisfaction with the results.
You have significant loose, sagging skin on your upper arms that doesn't respond to exercise or weight loss.
You've maintained a stable weight for at least 6-12 months and are at or near your goal weight.
You should be in good physical condition without underlying medical issues that could complicate surgery.
Understanding what arm lift can and cannot achieve is crucial for satisfaction.
Smoking impairs healing and dramatically increases complication risks, especially with arm surgery
You accept that arm lift creates permanent scars along your inner or back upper arms in exchange for removing excess skin.
Your weight should be stable. If you plan to lose more weight, wait until you reach your goal before surgery
You must be able to restrict arm movement and lifting for several weeks post-operatively.
You must accept visible scars in exchange for removing excess skin and improving arm contour.
If you intend to lose substantial weight, wait until after reaching your goal to avoid compromising results.
Extremely thin or damaged skin may not heal well or could result in wider scars.
Uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or conditions affecting healing increase surgical risks.
If you're unwilling to quit smoking for at least 4-6 weeks before and after surgery, arm lift isn't safe for you.
If you cannot accept permanent scars on your arms, arm lift may not be right for you.
You must be at least 18 years old with realistic expectations. Arm lift is most common among patients who've experienced massive weight loss or age-related skin laxity, typically in their 40s through 70s.
Tell us your goals, and we'll connect you with a Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) surgeon in San-francisco — based on your location, budget and experience.
Start my matchArm lift eliminates loose, hanging skin that diet and exercise cannot address. The 'bat wing' appearance is removed, creating smooth, toned-looking upper arms that better match your body.
By removing excess tissue and tightening what remains, your surgeon creates better-defined arm shape. Your arms appear slimmer and more proportionate to your body, with visible improvement from shoulder to elbow.
Many patients find that sleeves fit more comfortably after arm lift. Shirts and jackets no longer bunch or pull around your upper arms. You can wear sleeveless tops, dresses, and swimwear without feeling self-conscious.
Once excess skin is removed, it won't return. With stable weight maintenance, your improved arm contours last for many years. While natural aging continues, the dramatic improvement remains visible.
Removing excess arm skin that's bothered you for years often leads to significant improvements in self-esteem. Many patients feel more comfortable wearing short sleeves or sleeveless clothing in social and professional settings.
Arm lift works well as a standalone procedure or can be combined with body lift, thigh lift, breast lift, or other body contouring surgeries after weight loss for comprehensive transformation.
For some patients with significant excess skin, removing it eliminates issues with skin irritation, rashes, or hygiene problems in arm folds.
After significant weight loss, arm lift helps your upper body match your newly slimmer frame, creating better overall body balance and proportion.
The most challenging period. Your arms will be wrapped in compression garments or bandages. Expect swelling, bruising, and tightness. Pain is manageable with prescribed medication. You must keep your arms elevated and limit movement. Most patients take 1-2 weeks off work. Drains may be in place to prevent fluid buildup.
Swelling decreases and you'll regain some mobility. Drains are typically removed during this period. Continue wearing compression garments as directed. You can perform light daily activities but must avoid lifting anything over 5-10 pounds. Your arms will feel tight and stiff.
Many patients return to desk work and light activities. You can gradually increase arm movement but should still avoid heavy lifting or strenuous upper body exercises. Continue wearing compression garments during the day. Swelling continues to improve.
Most restrictions are lifted. You can gradually resume exercise, starting with lower body workouts and light cardio. Your surgeon will clear you for upper body exercises. Incision scars remain pink or red but begin to soften.
Significant swelling has resolved. Your arm contours appear much slimmer and more toned. You can resume all normal activities, including full exercise routines. Scars continue to fade but remain visible.
Final results are visible. All swelling has resolved and your scars have faded significantly, though they remain permanent. Most scars fade to thin, pale lines. The improved arm contours you see now are your permanent result with proper weight maintenance.
Selecting the right surgeon is the most important decision in your arm lift journey.
Your surgeon must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Board certification means your surgeon completed rigorous training, passed comprehensive exams, and maintains high ethical standards.
Check the ABPS website directly or use the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 'Find a Surgeon' tool.
Some physicians claim to be 'board certified' but are certified in unrelated specialties that don't require plastic surgery residency training.
Board certification is your baseline, but arm lift specialization takes your safety and results to the next level.
A surgeon performing 25+ brachioplasty procedures annually has the experience necessary for optimal results and well-placed, minimal scarring.
Has your surgeon worked extensively with post-bariatric patients? Do they understand the unique challenges of excess skin removal?
A quality surgeon is transparent about their outcomes. Experienced arm lift surgeons have significantly lower complication rates and know how to minimize scarring.
Look for patients with similar degrees of skin laxity to yours. Pay attention to scar placement, arm contour, and overall aesthetic results. Quality surgeons have extensive galleries showing long-term results.
Real patient experiences provide insight into the surgeon's bedside manner, staff professionalism, post-operative care, and how they manage the recovery process.
Finding the right arm lift surgeon shouldn't feel overwhelming. AestheticMatch simplifies the entire process.
Answer a few simple questions about what you're looking for in an arm lift procedure, your aesthetic goals, and your preferences.
Based on your responses, we connect you with board-certified plastic surgeons in San-francisco who specialize in arm lifts and align with your needs. Every surgeon in our network has been thoroughly vetted for credentials, experience, and safety standards.
Browse comprehensive surgeon profiles featuring their qualifications, years of experience, before-and-after galleries, patient reviews, and transparent pricing information. Compare multiple surgeons side-by-side.
Schedule consultations directly through our platform with the surgeons you're interested in. Meet them, ask questions, and see who feels like the right fit.
Choose the surgeon you feel most confident with. We're here to support you throughout your journey, but the final decision is always yours.
Every surgeon is ABPS board-certified and has demonstrated arm lift expertise. We verify credentials, review outcomes, and ensure each surgeon meets our safety standards.
We provide information and connections, but we never push you toward any particular surgeon. Explore your options at your own pace.
No hidden fees or surprises. You'll have complete visibility into surgeon qualifications, experience levels, patient feedback, and pricing.
Instead of spending weeks researching and vetting surgeons yourself, we've already done the hard work. You get access to a curated list of qualified professionals in minutes.
Not every surgeon is right for every patient. Our matching process considers your specific goals and connects you with surgeons whose expertise aligns with what you're looking for.
Tell us your goals, and we'll connect you with a Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) surgeon in San-francisco — based on your location, budget and experience.
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