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Brachioplasty, also called an arm lift, is surgery to reshape the upper arms by removing excess skin and sometimes fat. It usually treats loose tissue along the underside of the arm. The procedure can improve arm contour after substantial weight loss or changes associated with aging. It leaves a surgical scar whose length depends on the amount of skin removed.
read more about brachioplasty ...A person may consider brachioplasty when loose upper-arm skin remains despite a stable weight. A surgeon evaluates skin quality, overall health, and the amount of tissue to be removed. The discussion should include the expected improvement and the location of the scar. Brachioplasty is not a substitute for weight loss.
The surgeon makes an incision based on the location and amount of excess skin. Fat may be reduced, and the remaining tissue is reshaped before the extra skin is removed. Sutures close the incision and support the new arm contour. The exact incision pattern varies from person to person.
Swelling, bruising, and discomfort can occur as the arms heal. Dressings and a compression garment may be used, and some patients have temporary drains. The surgeon gives instructions for incision care and limits on lifting or strenuous arm movement. Follow-up visits allow the care team to check healing.
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, and poor wound healing. Numbness or other changes in skin sensation may occur. Scarring is unavoidable, and damage to deeper structures such as nerves or blood vessels is possible. The surgeon should discuss these risks in relation to the planned incision and the patient's health.
No. Liposuction removes fat, while brachioplasty removes loose skin and may also address fat.
Incisions commonly run along the underside or inner part of the upper arm. Their length depends on how much skin needs to be removed.
Exercise can strengthen arm muscles but cannot remove excess skin. A surgeon can assess whether surgery would address the tissue causing the concern.
The removed skin does not grow back. Aging and substantial weight changes can still alter the arm contour over time.
Arm Lift Risks and Safety. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/arm-lift/safety. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Brachioplasty. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/brachioplasty. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Brachioplasty. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Brachioplasty (arm lift surgery). Better Health Channel (Victoria Department of Health). https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/brachioplasty-arm-lift-surgery. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift): Surgery, Recovery & What To Expect. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23367-brachioplasty-arm-lift. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.