Brachioplasty corrects sagging in the arms. The incision is made on the inner side of the arm and is only visible when the person raises their arms. In cases of mild to moderate sagging, the incision is not extensive.
At a glance
Brachioplasty corrects sagging in the arms. The incision is made on the inner side of the arm and is only visible when the person raises their arms. In cases of mild to moderate sagging, the incision is not extensive.
Severity
Light
Type of Anaesthetic
Local / General
Clinic Stay
Same Day Discharge
Stitch removal
No
Recovery
4 - 6 weeks
Brachioplasty Cost
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Arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty, is one of the most effective methods used by plastic surgeons to address sagging skin on the upper arms. This is a very common concern, especially among women after menopause or individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, causing both aesthetic and functional issues. With this body procedure, we address the problem surgically by removing excess skin. The main drawback of brachioplasty is the presence of scars, and for this reason, we always consider the indication carefully and only recommend surgery when no other method can effectively improve the condition.
We distinguish different types of issues that can appear in the upper arm area, in order to better determine the ideal technique for each case.
Brachioplasty techniques
The first case involves excess fat in the upper arms, where due to extra body weight, body structure, or lipoedema, the weight of the soft tissues increases significantly and creates the appearance of sagging when the arm is extended. As long as the skin quality is good, the goal of the correction is to reduce the excess weight of the upper arm, which is typically achieved through liposuction.
The great advantage of upper arm reshaping with liposuction is that it does not leave any scars and the result ranges from very satisfactory to excellent. It is worth noting that I often encounter concerns from both patients and colleagues when it comes to the arms. They fear that if we remove the fat, the skin will become saggy. From my experience, I can say with certainty that when the skin is properly evaluated, the result of liposuction on the upper arms is impressive, and we prevent more extensive procedures such as brachioplasty, which leave noticeable marks for many months.
Mini brachioplasty
The next case involves mild skin laxity, which is mainly located in the upper third of the arm, towards the armpit. In such cases, we may also encounter excess fat or the arm may be relatively slimmer. The treatment of this type of case can be achieved with mini brachioplasty — a small-scale procedure with a significantly shorter incision hidden mostly within the armpit. This method can also be combined with liposuction when necessary. Overall, brachioplasty is a very beneficial approach for smaller aesthetic concerns. You can be confident that the final result will pleasantly surprise you.
Classic brachioplasty
Extended brachioplasty
In cases of very severe laxity, which we usually encounter after major weight loss, the problem may extend below the armpits, to the back and the chest. In these cases, the extended brachioplasty incision needs to be modified to address the greater extent of skin laxity, either below the elbow or under the armpit extending toward the back.
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Arm plastic surgery methods depending on the degree of sagging
As shown above, depending on the degree of sagging, we choose the appropriate technique. When it comes to fat accumulation with good skin elasticity, careful and targeted superficial liposuction is performed. The skin usually needs 3-4 months to shrink and reduce its sagging.
The key to success for a brachioplasty is the correct selection of individuals for whom liposuction is appropriate as well as the excellent liposuction technique. Otherwise, the sagging problem may worsen.
At a low to moderate level of relaxation
Correction can be done with a small incision at the armpit border, without an additional longitudinal incision. The advantage of mini-brachioplasty is that we can thus avoid the large incisions of classic brachioplasty and hide them near the armpit, where they are less visible. In this technique, a combination with liposuction is used, which will give an aesthetically superior result. This procedure can also be done with local anesthesia and the recovery is relatively simpler.
In a great degree of relaxation
Which extends to the elbow, longitudinal incisions are necessary on the medial surface of the arm. In even greater laxity that extends below the height of the armpit, it is also necessary to extend the incisions downwards, combining a Z-plasty, in order to maintain the functionality of the arm. The length of the incision depends on the extent of the laxity and is decided after planning.
Discover the difference in your appearance
With FaceTouchUp you can see for free what your body will look like after brachioplasty, simply by uploading a photo. Explore the before-and-after, easily and quickly, before making any decisions.
After the arm lift surgery
Classic arm lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and hospitalization is not required. The same applies to mini arm lift procedures and arm liposuction. After the surgery, we place a bolero-style compression garment extending down to the elbow for 3 weeks. This helps minimize swelling and ensures an even better aesthetic outcome. There is no significant pain after an arm lift, and specialized pain medication is not necessary.
During the first period, arm movements should be somewhat limited, avoiding excessive stretching and abduction, as well as any intense physical activity. Exercise, sports, and swimming can resume after 6 weeks.
The scar, once it reaches its final appearance after 8–10 months, becomes quite discreet and is positioned in such a way that it is not visible when the arm is raised up to shoulder level. In cases of mini arm lift, the scars are hidden in the armpit from the beginning and are barely visible.
We help you plan the procedure that suits you best, with a focus on safety and achieving a natural result.
Brachioplasty results
The results of brachioplasty are extremely impressive, from the very first day, with continuous improvement over the next 3–6 months. If we choose liposuction alone as the technique, there is initial swelling for 10–15 days, which subsides very quickly, and the skin continues to tighten over the following 3–4 months. When classic brachioplasty is performed, the result is also very impressive, and the arm appears almost half its original size. As long as there are no weight fluctuations, the results are long-lasting. In addition to the aesthetic improvement, there is also significant enhancement in arm mobility, less sweating, and a greater ability to choose clothing.
Show your confidence.
Brachioplasty is tailored to your needs, with respect for the physiology and aesthetics of your body.
I have read that the scars from brachioplasty can become very pronounced, and I am afraid to have the surgery for this reason.
What is the cost of brachioplasty?
Is there a way to get arm plastic surgery without surgery?
Dr. Prodromos Papaioannou
He completed his plastic surgery residency in Germany, at the Pirmasens Hospital, the Asklepios Wandsbek Hospital in Hamburg, the University Hospital in Magdeburg and the Braunschweig Clinic. He worked as a specialist-deputy director at the Braunschweig Clinic (specializing in breast reconstruction after cancer and cosmetic surgery). He also participated in scientific research and completed his doctoral thesis (Dr. Med.) at the Magdeburg Clinic.