Arm Lift
Brachioplasty removes excess upper arm skin, sometimes with liposuction.
Consult with Dr. Henry Huson at Queen City Plastic Surgery in West Chester, Ohio, serving the Cincinnati area.
- Setting
- Confirmed with your treatment plan
- Anesthesia
- General
- Procedure time
- Individual estimate at consultation
- Recovery
- Often 1 to 2 weeks for desk work; longer for lifting
- Results
- Develop over months; results vary
General planning information. Your procedure, anesthesia, recovery, and results depend on your health and treatment plan. Returning to work does not mean full healing.
About the procedure
An arm lift treats loose skin that remains after weight changes or aging. Liposuction may help when excess fat is also present, but removing fat alone does not reliably correct significant hanging skin.
The incision may extend from the armpit toward the elbow, with its position and length determined by the amount of skin to remove. The scar can be visible with the arms at rest or raised and may widen or become raised. An arm lift is not a treatment for excessive sweating.
Good candidates
- Loose, hanging skin on the upper arms
- Excess skin after weight loss
- Fullness that persists despite exercise
- Acceptance of a scar along the inner arm
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation. Dr. Huson will tell you honestly if a different approach would serve you better.
Before & after
Coming soon
Before and after photos for arm lift will be added here.
What to expect
Your consultation
The consultation reviews your goals, medical history, medications, nicotine use, and examination findings. Discuss alternatives, the proposed setting and anesthesia, realistic changes, costs, and the support you will need during recovery.
The procedure
The surgeon removes excess upper arm skin, sometimes after liposuction. Incision length and position reflect the pattern of excess; no closure technique guarantees a thin scar.
Recovery
Arm movement, lifting, and exercise are restricted while the incision heals. Garments or dressings may be recommended. Swelling can persist, and scars change over many months.
Risks and limitations
- The arm scar can remain visible, become widened or raised, or require treatment.
- Infection, wound separation, fluid collections, nerve injury, and altered sensation can occur.
This is not a complete list. Your clinician should explain the risks of the specific procedure and anesthesia, including bleeding, infection, healing problems, and any medical factors that change your risk.
Other options
Liposuction may be sufficient for fat with good skin elasticity. A limited lift fits some smaller areas of skin excess. Exercise changes muscle, but does not remove excess skin.
Planning your consultation
Bring your medication list and relevant medical history. Ask about the facility, anesthesia team, follow-up, time away from work, and help at home. Request an itemized estimate covering the procedure, anesthesia, facility, and any additional care; confirm coverage directly if insurance may apply.
Common questions
Bring the rest to your consultation. There is no such thing as too many.
Will the scar be visible?
It can be visible both at rest and when the arms are raised. Some scars remain wide, raised, or discolored.
Could liposuction be enough?
It may help when fat is the main issue and elasticity is good. It cannot reliably correct significant hanging skin.
Can I have a shorter scar?
A limited incision suits some small areas of skin excess. Larger corrections usually need a longer incision; discuss the tradeoff before surgery.
Related procedures
View all 13Sources and further reading
Patient education from Queen City Plastic Surgery. Updated . General information does not replace a personal medical assessment. Sources explain general procedures and do not establish the services or protocols of this practice. Contact the practice with questions or to request a correction.
Ready to talk about Arm Lift?
Consultations are free, unhurried, and educational. Bring your questions and your goals; leave with an honest plan.