Loose skin on the underside of the upper arm, the so-called bat wing, is one of the most common complaints I hear after weight loss and one of the most common changes with age. Exercise tightens the muscle underneath but does nothing for stretched skin. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes the excess skin and fat and restores a firm, contoured upper arm that looks right in short sleeves and sleeveless tops.
An Arm Lift Matched to the Amount of Excess
The right operation depends on how much loose skin you have and where it sits. I choose the shortest incision that will fully correct the problem, because a long scar on an arm that only needed liposuction is a poor trade, and a short scar on an arm with a lot of hanging skin leaves the job half done.
| Technique | Best for | Incision |
|---|---|---|
| Liposuction alone | Excess fat with good skin elasticity and little sagging | Two or three small puncture sites |
| Mini arm lift | Mild looseness confined to the upper inner arm near the armpit | Hidden in the armpit crease |
| Standard brachioplasty | Moderate to significant hanging skin from armpit to elbow | Along the inner arm, placed so it is hidden when the arms are at your sides |
| Extended brachioplasty | Massive weight loss with loose skin continuing onto the side of the chest | Inner arm continuing into the armpit and along the side of the chest |
In nearly every arm lift I perform circumferential liposuction of the arm first. Removing the fat lets me take out more skin safely, gives a smoother contour and reduces the risk of fluid collections. The skin is then removed and the incision closed in layers with absorbable sutures buried beneath the surface, so there are no stitches to remove. I place the scar along the inner arm, in the line between the biceps and triceps, where it is hidden when your arms are down.
Arm Lift Before and After Photos
One of my patients, nearly two years after surgery. Click any photo to see every angle in the gallery.
Hear Me Talk Body Contouring on Beauty and the Beasts
On the Beauty and the Beasts podcast, Dr. Sal Pacella and I talk about what weight loss and GLP-1 medications do to the skin, when fat grafting helps, and how surgeons think about staging body contouring after a big weight change.
Am I a Candidate for an Arm Lift?
You are likely a good candidate if you have loose, hanging skin on the upper arms, your weight is stable, you are in good general health and you do not smoke. Arm lift is especially rewarding after major weight loss, once your weight has settled. If your concern is fullness rather than looseness, liposuction alone may be all you need, and I will tell you so. Patients who need an arm lift often also have loose skin of the thighs and trunk, and we can plan those together.
What to Expect
An arm lift is an outpatient operation under general anesthesia and takes about two hours, longer if combined with other procedures. You go home the same day with the arms wrapped, and move to a light compression sleeve within a few days. Keep your hands above your heart as much as possible for the first week to limit swelling. Most patients are back to desk work in one to two weeks, lifting and full exercise at six weeks. The incisions are red and firm for the first few months and fade substantially over the first year.
I use a non-opioid pain protocol, so most patients manage comfortably without narcotics, and I offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Foundry Hyperbaric and Wellness to speed healing in the first weeks.
Combining an Arm Lift With Other Procedures
- Breast lift, since the arm incision can continue toward the chest to address loose skin on the side of the breast.
- Thigh lift, because arms and thighs usually loosen together after weight loss.
- Body lift or tummy tuck, usually staged a few months apart.
- Liposuction of the back and bra line for a balanced upper body contour.
Arm Lift FAQs
How visible is the scar? It runs along the inner arm and is hidden when your arms are at your sides. It is visible when you raise your arms, and it fades considerably over 12 to 18 months. The patient above shows what a mature scar looks like.
Can I get rid of bat wings without surgery? If the problem is fat and the skin is elastic, liposuction alone can work. Non-surgical skin tightening devices produce modest changes at best. True hanging skin needs to be removed.
Will I lose feeling in my arm? Numbness along the inner arm and forearm is common at first and usually improves over several months. I protect the sensory nerves of the inner arm during the operation.
Will the skin loosen again? The removed skin is gone permanently. Normal aging continues, and a large weight change can stretch the arm again, so a stable weight protects the result.
Arm Lift Patient Reviews
Recognition
Newsweek has named Dr. Jejurikar one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons for five consecutive years. He has been named to D Magazine’s Best Doctors in Dallas and Texas Monthly Super Doctors for many years running.
Schedule Your Arm Lift Consultation in Dallas
If you are hiding your arms, I would like to examine you and show you what an arm lift can do. Call 214-827-2814 or request a consultation online.
Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute
9101 N. Central Expressway, Suite 600
Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: 214-827-2814
