Arm Lift

Arm lift is used to:

• Remove excess fat on the back of the upper arms
• Remove excess skin on and tighten the upper arms
• Tighten underlying tissue and ligaments of the upper arms
• Sculpt the upper arms so that they appear naturally youthful

If you have mildly droopy upper arms, liposuction alone can be used to remove fat and alleviate drooping. But most people find they benefit from a combination of liposuction and arm lift to remove excess fat and skin for tighter, beautifully sculpted arms.

When necessary, Dr. Yugueros can combine arm lift surgery with liposuction to restore severely sagging arms.

Are you a candidate for arm lift?

If you area man or woman in good health who is unhappy with the size, shape, and sagging skin on your upper arms, you are a candidate for arm lift.

If you plan to lose 10 or more pounds, however, you should postpone arm lift surgery until you have achieved a healthy weight for your height. Additional weight loss can loosen the skin on your upper arms again.

Your Consultation

Your consultation for arm lift will include discussion about your expectations and desires. Dr. Yugueros also will address your concerns about the procedure, including its limits and risks. After examining you, she will explain how she will correct the sagging skin and tissue on your arms for the best possible results.

The Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Procedure

Arm lift surgery involves an incision on the inside or back of the arm between the elbow and armpit. The length of the incision depends on the amount of tissue that must be removed.

Most arm lift patients also have liposuction to remove excess fat in the upper arms. In addition, supporting tissue beneath the skin is tightened and reshaped with internal, dissolvable stitches. Then the skin is smoothed over the newly contoured arm. The external incision is either closed with dissolvable stitches or stitches that will be removed in 1 to 2 weeks.

Although they are permanent, scars on the inside or back of the upper arms often fade considerably over time depending on your skin type.

Arm lift is performed under general anesthesia or a local anesthetic with intravenous sedation. The surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours. It is an outpatient procedure.

Recovery From Arm Lift

Most arm lift patients go home a few hours after the surgery. The incisions are dressed and your arms will be wrapped in elastic bandages or compression garments to minimize swelling.

Dr. Yugueros will explain how and when to change your dressings. You also might be given a temporary small, thin tube under the skin to drain excess blood or fluid.

Some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort are common for several days to a week after the procedure. When needed, you can take oral over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage your discomfort.

If you have stitches that do not dissolve, Dr. Yugueros or a nurse will remove them in the office 7 to 14 days after your surgery.

You should be able to return to work and your daily activities within 2 weeks; but you must avoid strenuous activities for a few more weeks.

Results of Arm Lift Surgery

Immediately after your arm lift surgery, you will be able to see the smoother, tighter contours of your upper arms. Your outstanding final results, however, will become evident after several weeks after all swelling and bruising has resolved.

Results of arm lift surgery are long lasting if you maintain a stable weight and level of fitness. The natural effects of aging and gravity may cause your upper arms to lose some firmness over time, but your arms will probably never sag as severely as they did before your surgery!

Why choose Dr. Yugueros?

Dr. Yugueros is a board-certifiedplastic surgeon with extensive experience in arm lift surgery. Learn more about her surgical expertise, see her arm lift befores and afters, and schedule a consultation today to find out how arm lift surgery can restore your arms and help you regain a more youthful you!

Before & After Gallery