Brachioplasty · New York and New Jersey
Arm Lift
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arm to give it a tighter shape. Dr. Steven Ovadia is a board certified plastic surgeon who performs arm lifts on their own and together with other surgery, with offices in New York City and New Jersey.
Overview
What an arm lift is
An arm lift removes loose skin, and the fat attached to it, from the upper arm between the armpit and the elbow. What remains is brought together so the arm has a tighter, smoother shape.
Skin on the upper arm loosens after major weight loss and with age. Once it has stretched past the point where it can spring back, diet and exercise do not tighten it. Exercise builds the muscle underneath, but the loose skin stays.
An arm lift trades that loose skin for a scar along the arm. Where the scar is placed is a large part of planning the surgery, and it is covered in detail below.
Candidates
Who an arm lift is for
An arm lift tends to work well when:
- You have loose, hanging skin on the upper arms that bothers you
- Your weight is stable, including after major weight loss
- You are in good general health
- You accept a scar along the arm in exchange for a tighter shape
- You understand what an arm lift can and cannot change
At your consultation, Dr. Ovadia examines your arms, including how much of the fullness is loose skin and how much is fat, and tells you whether an arm lift, liposuction, or both is likely to give you the change you are looking for.
What an arm lift can do
- Remove loose skin from the upper arm, along with the fat attached to it
- Give the upper arm a tighter, smoother shape
- Make sleeves and fitted clothing more comfortable
- Be done together with liposuction or other surgery
What an arm lift does not do
- Be done without a scar
- Take the place of weight loss
- Build muscle tone. Exercise does that
- Stop the skin from loosening again with age or changes in weight
The scar
Where the scar goes
There are two places to put the scar: along the back of the arm, or along the inner arm. Dr. Ovadia generally places it along the back of the arm, and he also performs the inner arm approach. Each one is hidden in some positions and seen in others.
Along the back of the arm
The scar runs along the back of the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow. It is not seen from the front, whether your arm is down or raised. It can be seen from behind.
Along the inner arm
The scar runs along the inner side of the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow. With your arms at your sides it is hidden against your body. It can be seen from the front when you raise your arm.
The gold line marks the scar where it can be seen.
Side by side
| Back of the arm | Inner arm | |
|---|---|---|
| Arms at your sides | Not seen from the front. Can be seen from behind | Hidden against your body, from the front and from behind |
| Arm raised | Not seen from the front. Can be seen from behind | Can be seen from the front |
| In clothing | Covered by a sleeve that reaches the elbow | Covered by a sleeve that reaches the elbow |
| How often it is used | Dr. Ovadia's usual approach | Used when it suits you better |
At your consultation, Dr. Ovadia looks at where your loose skin sits, and you go over how you dress and which view matters more to you. The scar placement is settled together, as part of your surgical plan.
How long the scar is
Near the armpit
When the loose skin is limited to the upper part of the arm, close to the armpit, a shorter scar may be enough.
Armpit to elbow
When the loose skin runs the length of the upper arm, the scar does too. This is the most common pattern.
Onto the side of the chest
After major weight loss, loose skin often continues past the armpit onto the side of the chest. The scar can be extended to remove it in the same operation.
The length of the scar follows the loose skin. Scars are red and firm at first, and they fade and soften over a year or more. Scars on the arm can heal wider or thicker than expected, and scar care is part of your follow-up.
Procedure
How an arm lift is done
The surgery follows the same steps whichever scar placement is chosen.
Marking
Before surgery, Dr. Ovadia marks the skin to be removed and the position of the scar while you are upright.
Liposuction, when needed
If there is extra fat under the skin, liposuction can be done first to thin the arm.
The loose skin is removed
The marked skin is removed together with the fat attached to it. The surgery stays above the deeper layer of the arm, where the main nerves and blood vessels run.
Closure
The incision is closed in layers. Dressings and compression go on at the end of surgery.
Every surgery has risks. For an arm lift these include bleeding, infection, blood clots, fluid collecting under the skin, an incision that is slow to heal or opens in places, scars that are wide or raised, numbness or other changes in feeling along the arm, swelling of the arm or hand that lasts longer than expected, differences between the two sides, and the possible need for a revision. Dr. Ovadia goes over them with you at your consultation.
Options
Arm lift, liposuction, or both
Fullness of the upper arm is a mix of skin and fat, and the mix is different for everyone. An arm lift removes skin. Liposuction removes fat. Part of your consultation is working out which one, or which combination, fits your arms.
| Arm lift | Arm lift with liposuction | Liposuction alone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works best when | The skin is loose and there is little extra fat | The skin is loose and there is also extra fat | There is extra fat, and the skin is still firm and elastic |
| Loose skin | Removed | Removed | Not removed. It can look looser once the fat under it is gone |
| Fat | Removed only with the skin it is attached to | Reduced along the arm | Reduced along the arm |
| Scar | Along the arm, on the back or the inner side | Along the arm, on the back or the inner side | A few small ones |
An arm lift with other surgery
Liposuction of the arms
Liposuction removes fat and an arm lift removes skin. When the arm has both, the two are often done in the same operation.
Body contouring after weight loss
After major weight loss, loose skin usually affects more than one area. An arm lift can be planned alongside surgery of the abdomen, the breasts or chest, the back, and the thighs, in the same operation or in stages.
More about liposuction. Tummy tuck and other skin removal surgery are on the body contouring page.
Recovery
What to expect after an arm lift
Swelling and bruising are normal and expected
The arms are swollen and bruised at first, and the hands can swell too. Swelling goes down gradually over the following weeks.
Compression is important
Your arms are wrapped or placed in compression sleeves after surgery. The compression helps prevent and minimize swelling.
Keep your arms raised
Resting with your arms propped up on pillows helps the swelling go down.
Drains may be placed
A small drain may be placed under the skin to remove fluid. If you have drains, you are shown how to care for them, and they are removed in the office.
Using your arms
Walking starts right away, and you can use your hands for light daily tasks. Lifting, reaching overhead, and anything that pulls on the incisions are limited at first, as Dr. Ovadia advises.
Scars take time
Scars are red and firm at first. They fade and soften over a year or more. Protect them from the sun while they heal.
Normal swelling comes on slowly. A rapid increase in swelling is something to watch for, and it should be brought to your physician's attention right away. The same is true of severe pain, spreading redness, or a fever. For chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.
A general timeline
This is a general guide. Everyone heals differently. During your recovery, Dr. Ovadia will review your timeline with you.
Cost
Cost and insurance
An arm lift done for appearance is unlikely to be covered by insurance. The cost depends on how much skin is removed, whether liposuction is added, and whether it is done together with other surgery. You receive a quote after your consultation.
After major weight loss, an arm lift may be covered by some plans when the loose skin causes a medical problem. Other plans consider an arm lift cosmetic in every case.
Common criteria for insurance coverage
- Loose skin that causes rashes, skin infections, or sores that keep coming back
- A problem that has continued despite treatment prescribed by a physician
- Loose skin that gets in the way of daily activities
- Photographs and medical records that document the problem
Every plan sets its own criteria. Coverage is not guaranteed.
If you have questions about possible insurance coverage for surgery, call or email us and we will go over it with you.
Your surgeon
Board certified and double fellowship-trained
Dr. Ovadia is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After his plastic surgery training he completed two fellowships: gender-affirming surgery at Johns Hopkins, and craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery at UT Austin / Dell Children's Hospital.
He performs arm lifts on their own, together with liposuction, and as part of body contouring after weight loss. He sees patients in New York City and in Jersey City and Millburn, New Jersey.
Questions
Common questions about arm lift surgery
Where is the scar after an arm lift?
Dr. Ovadia generally places the scar along the back of the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow. It is not seen from the front, and it can be seen from behind. He can also place it along the inner arm, where it is hidden when your arms are at your sides and can be seen from the front when you raise your arm.
Which scar placement is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Each one is hidden in some positions and seen in others. The choice depends on where your loose skin sits, how you dress, and which view matters more to you. You go over it with Dr. Ovadia at your consultation.
How long is the scar?
The length of the scar follows the loose skin. It is shorter when the loose skin is limited to the area near the armpit, and it runs from the armpit to the elbow when the loose skin runs the length of the upper arm. After major weight loss it can be extended onto the side of the chest.
Will the scar fade?
Yes, gradually. Scars are red and firm at first, and they fade and soften over a year or more. A scar does not disappear, and scars on the arm can heal wider or thicker than expected. Scar care is part of your follow-up.
Can liposuction alone fix my arms?
It depends on the skin. Liposuction removes fat, not skin. When the skin is still firm and elastic, liposuction alone can work well. When the skin is loose, removing the fat under it can make it look looser, and an arm lift is the better choice, alone or together with liposuction.
Can exercise tighten loose arm skin?
No. Exercise builds the muscle of the arm, which is worthwhile, but it does not remove loose skin. Once skin has stretched past the point where it can spring back, surgery is the way to remove it.
Should I finish losing weight first?
Yes. The result lasts best when your weight is stable. If you are still losing weight, more skin can loosen after surgery. After major weight loss, surgery is planned once your weight has leveled off.
Will the loose skin come back?
The skin that is removed is gone. The skin that remains keeps aging, and it can loosen again with time or with large changes in weight. Staying at a stable weight helps keep the result.
When can I go back to work and exercise?
It depends on the kind of work you do and how you are healing. Lifting and reaching overhead are limited at first. Dr. Ovadia gives you a timeline at your follow-up visits.
Can an arm lift be combined with other surgery?
Yes. It is often done together with liposuction, and after major weight loss it can be planned alongside other body contouring surgery. Whether it is safe to combine procedures depends on your health and how long the operation would be.
Is an arm lift covered by insurance?
An arm lift done for appearance is unlikely to be covered. After major weight loss, it may be covered by some plans when the loose skin causes a documented medical problem, such as rashes or skin infections that keep coming back despite treatment. Every plan sets its own criteria, and coverage is not guaranteed.
Can I have a consultation without coming to the office?
Yes. Phone and video consultations are available, in addition to in-person visits in New York City, Jersey City, and Millburn, New Jersey.
Next step
Start with a consultation
Dr. Ovadia will examine your arms, go over what you are hoping to change, and explain where the scar would sit and whether an arm lift, liposuction, or a combination is the best fit.
225 Broadway, Suite 3100, New York, NY
377 Jersey Ave, Suite 440, Jersey City, NJ
90 Millburn Ave, Suite 206, Millburn, NJ
Phone and video consultations available · info@ovadiaps.com