Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Patients rarely come into the office using the word “brachioplasty.” More often, they explain that they avoid sleeveless clothing, dislike the way the skin beneath their arms moves, or feel that their upper arms no longer match the rest of their body.
At Volpe Plastic Surgery in Newton, Massachusetts, Dr. A. George Volpe performs arm lift surgery to remove loose skin, reduce unwanted fullness when needed, and create a smoother upper-arm contour.
The procedure is not exactly the same for every patient. Some people need only liposuction. Others need loose skin removed. Many benefit from a combination of the two.
A. George Volpe, MD, FACS
Board-certified plastic surgeon, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Chief of Plastic Surgery at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. Last reviewed August 18, 2026.
What Is an Arm Lift?
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms. It may also include liposuction when excess fat contributes to the arm’s fullness.
The goal is not to make the arms look unnaturally tight or overly thin. It is to create a smoother contour that looks balanced with the patient’s shoulders, chest, and overall frame.
What Can an Arm Lift Improve?
The skin of the upper arms can become loose because of aging, heredity, sun damage, weight fluctuations, or significant weight loss. Once the skin has been substantially stretched, exercise cannot make it shrink back into place.
An arm lift may improve:
- Loose skin hanging beneath the upper arms
- Upper-arm tissue sometimes described as “bat wings”
- Localized fat that makes the arms look disproportionately full
- An uneven transition between the upper arm and underarm
- Discomfort or self-consciousness in sleeveless clothing
Brachioplasty is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight-loss operation. It generally works best when a patient is near a stable weight. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides additional general information about arm lift surgery.
The Important Question Is Skin Versus Fat
The least invasive procedure is not automatically the right one. If an arm is full but the skin remains firm and elastic, liposuction may provide a good improvement. If the skin has already stretched and lost elasticity, removing fat alone may leave the arm looking looser.
During consultation, Dr. Volpe evaluates the amount of fat present, the quality of the skin, where the looseness begins and ends, and how much scarring would be required to create a meaningful improvement.
Arm Lift Techniques
Dr. Volpe may consider one of three approaches. His recommendation is based on the patient’s anatomy, skin quality, and goals.
Upper-Arm Liposuction
Liposuction may be appropriate when the main concern is excess fat and the skin still has enough elasticity to tighten after the fat is removed.
Because liposuction does not remove skin, it is not a substitute for an arm lift when significant hanging skin is present.
Limited-Incision Arm Lift
A limited arm lift may be appropriate when loose skin is concentrated near the underarm. A crescent-shaped section of skin is removed, allowing the remaining skin to be lifted and tightened.
The scar can usually be kept within or close to the natural underarm crease. Liposuction may be included if unwanted fat is also present.
Traditional Arm Lift
A traditional brachioplasty is generally needed when loose skin extends farther down the upper arm. The incision begins near the underarm and continues toward the elbow so that a larger amount of excess skin can be removed.
Dr. Volpe positions the incision along the inner or back portion of the arm to make it less noticeable during normal activities. The exact length depends on how much skin must be removed.
Arm Lift or Liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat. An arm lift removes loose skin. That is the clearest way to understand the difference.
If the arms are full but the skin is firm, liposuction may be enough. If skin hangs when the arms are raised, an arm lift is more likely to be necessary. When both concerns are present, the procedures may be combined.
This decision cannot be made reliably from photographs alone. Skin elasticity needs to be examined in person.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a reasonable candidate if loose upper-arm skin bothers you, your weight is relatively stable, and you are healthy enough for elective surgery.
Good candidates are generally:
- At or near a stable weight
- In good overall health
- Nonsmokers or willing to stop nicotine use as instructed
- Realistic about the improvement surgery can provide
- Comfortable accepting a scar in exchange for removing loose skin
If you plan to lose substantially more weight, it may make sense to wait. Additional weight loss after surgery can create new looseness and change the result.
An Honest Conversation About the Scar
A traditional arm lift leaves a visible scar. That deserves to be said plainly.
A limited lift may leave a scar mostly within the underarm. A traditional lift creates a longer scar extending from the underarm toward the elbow. The scar is generally red or firm at first and gradually softens and fades. Full scar maturation can take a year or longer.
For someone with only a small amount of loose skin, the tradeoff may not feel worthwhile. For someone with substantial hanging skin, the improvement in shape may be more important than the scar. Dr. Volpe will explain the expected incision before you decide whether to proceed.
What Happens During Surgery?
After the appropriate anesthesia is administered, Dr. Volpe makes the planned incision and removes the excess skin. Liposuction may be added when fat is also contributing to the arm’s size or shape.
The remaining tissue is reshaped, and the incisions are carefully closed. A compression garment is generally placed around the arms to provide support and help control swelling during the early recovery period.
Arm Lift Recovery
The arms will feel swollen, tight, and sore after surgery. Recovery varies, but patients can generally expect the following:
- The first several days: Rest is important. Bruising, swelling, tightness, and discomfort are expected.
- Approximately one to two weeks: Many patients can return to desk work and light daily activities. A physical job may require more time away.
- The following several weeks: Heavy lifting and strenuous upper-body exercise remain restricted until Dr. Volpe confirms that healing is far enough along.
- The following months: Swelling continues to improve, the arms settle into their new contour, and the scars begin to soften and fade.
The Cleveland Clinic’s brachioplasty guide provides additional general information about surgery and recovery.
Risks and Safety
Every surgical procedure carries risk. Potential arm lift complications include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, delayed wound healing, noticeable scarring, changes in sensation, asymmetry, contour irregularities, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia.
Dr. Volpe reviews these risks before surgery and provides detailed preparation and recovery instructions. Avoiding nicotine, following medication instructions, caring for the incisions properly, and attending follow-up appointments are important parts of safer healing.
How Long Do Results Last?
The skin and fat removed during surgery do not return. Results can therefore be long-lasting when the patient maintains a stable weight.
The arms will still age naturally, and future weight gain or weight loss can affect the result. Maintaining consistent habits gives the contour the best chance of lasting well over time.
Arm Lift Cost in Newton, MA
There is no single price for an arm lift because patients do not all require the same operation. Cost depends on the surgical technique, whether liposuction is included, the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia, and facility expenses.
After examining your arms and developing a treatment plan, the practice can provide a personalized estimate. Cosmetic arm lift surgery is generally not covered by health insurance. Qualified patients can explore available plastic surgery financing options.
Before-and-After Photos
Before-and-after photographs can help you understand Dr. Volpe’s approach to body contouring, but they cannot predict your individual result. Anatomy, incision length, healing, and scar quality vary from patient to patient.
Visit Dr. Volpe’s before-and-after gallery. Gallery content is intended for adults, and individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can exercise tighten loose upper-arm skin?
Exercise can strengthen the arm muscles, but it cannot remove skin that has lost elasticity. When hanging skin is the main concern, surgery is generally the only way to remove it.
Can liposuction be performed during an arm lift?
Yes. Liposuction may be combined with brachioplasty when both excess fat and loose skin are present.
Where will my scar be?
A limited arm lift may place the scar mainly in the underarm. A traditional arm lift generally creates a longer scar extending toward the elbow along the inner or back portion of the arm.
When can I return to work?
Many patients with nonphysical jobs return in approximately one to two weeks. Jobs involving lifting, reaching, or strenuous activity may require more time away.
Can an arm lift be combined with another procedure?
Sometimes. Whether an arm lift should be combined with another body contouring procedure depends on the patient’s health, goals, and the anticipated length of surgery.
Will an arm lift remove stretch marks?
Stretch marks located on skin removed during surgery will be removed with that skin. Stretch marks outside the treatment area will remain.
Schedule an Arm Lift Consultation
If you are unsure whether you need liposuction, an arm lift, or both, the consultation is where that decision should be made. Dr. Volpe will examine your arms, explain the likely scar placement, and recommend an approach based on your anatomy and goals.
Request a Consultation
Call 617-244-2600
Volpe Plastic Surgery is located at 29 Crafts Street, Suite 370, Newton, MA 02458. This page provides general educational information and does not replace an individualized medical consultation. Recommendations, recovery, and results vary by patient.
