Loose, sagging skin along the upper arms can be difficult to improve with diet and exercise alone. Whether caused by weight loss, aging, or genetics, excess skin and fat in this area can make some patients feel self-conscious in sleeveless clothing. At Funt Aesthetics, Dr. David K. Funt is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in cosmetic surgery and body contouring.
An upper arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, removes excess skin and reshapes the upper arms for a smoother, firmer contour. Dr. Funt tailors the procedure to the amount of skin laxity, localized fat, and the patient’s natural proportions.
What Can an Upper Arm Lift Improve?
Upper arm laxity can develop after significant weight loss, with age-related changes in skin elasticity, or because of genetics. In some cases, localized fat also contributes to a heavier or less defined appearance.
An upper arm lift may help improve:
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Loose or hanging skin
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Excess tissue after weight loss
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Reduced arm definition
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Localized fat deposits
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Uneven or disproportionate arm contours
The procedure is especially helpful when excess skin is the main concern, since exercise can strengthen the underlying muscles but cannot remove stretched skin.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Upper Arm Lift Surgery?
Good candidates are generally healthy adults who maintain a stable weight and are bothered by excess skin or tissue along the upper arms. Many patients consider brachioplasty after significant weight loss or when age-related skin laxity becomes more noticeable.
During a consultation, Dr. Funt evaluates the amount and location of loose skin, skin quality, excess fat, and overall arm shape. These factors help determine whether an arm lift, liposuction, or a combination of techniques is most appropriate.
How Is Upper Arm Lift Surgery Performed?
During an arm lift, an incision is typically placed along the inner portion of the upper arm, extending from the underarm toward the elbow when more extensive correction is needed. This allows Dr. Funt to remove excess skin and reshape the remaining tissue.
Liposuction may also be used to address localized fat before the skin is tightened. For patients with a smaller amount of excess skin, a limited-incision technique near the underarm may be appropriate.
The incision pattern and amount of correction are customized to the patient’s anatomy rather than using the same approach for every case.
What Is Recovery Like After an Upper Arm Lift?
After surgery, swelling, soreness, and tightness are expected as the arms heal. Compression garments may be recommended to help manage swelling and support the new contour. Most patients return home the same day and gradually resume normal activities according to Dr. Funt’s instructions.
Improvement in arm shape is often noticeable early, with continued refinement as swelling decreases. Maintaining a stable weight can help preserve the result over time.
What Should You Know About Upper Arm Lift Scars?
Any procedure that removes excess skin requires an incision, so scarring is an important consideration with brachioplasty. The location and length of the scar depend largely on how much loose skin needs to be removed.
Dr. Funt plans incisions to keep them as discreet as the necessary correction allows. Scars are permanent, but they typically soften and become less noticeable as they mature. For many patients, the tradeoff is a smoother arm contour and removal of skin that could not otherwise be corrected.
Why Choose Funt Aesthetics for Upper Arm Lift Surgery?
Upper arm lift surgery requires careful planning to remove enough loose skin while maintaining a smooth, proportionate contour. Dr. David K. Funt is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has decades of experience in cosmetic surgery and body contouring and has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for more than 25 years.
His approach to brachioplasty considers skin laxity, localized fat, incision placement, and the relationship between the upper arms and the rest of the body. At Funt Aesthetics, each procedure is tailored to the patient’s anatomy and goals, with an emphasis on careful surgical planning, safety, and natural-looking proportions.
Explore Upper Arm Lift Surgery in Nassau County, NY
An upper arm lift can remove loose skin and improve the shape and definition of the arms that have changed due to weight loss, aging, or genetics. Funt Aesthetics provides individualized brachioplasty planning for patients in Nassau County and throughout Long Island, NY.
To learn whether an upper arm lift is appropriate for your concerns, call 516-295-0404 to schedule a consultation with Funt Aesthetics.
