Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift removes sagging skin and excess fat from the back and inner side of the upper arm for a smoother, firmer contour. If the skin is still elastic and the problem is only fat, arm liposuction may be enough.

Why Exercise Does Not Fix It

Loose skin on the upper arms usually follows major weight loss, the natural loss of skin elasticity with age, or a family tendency. The tissue that hangs when you raise your arms is excess skin, not weak muscle, so training does not tighten it. Strictly speaking the operation removes the sagging tissue rather than lifting it, and in advanced cases the excess can extend into the armpit and along the side of the chest.

Who It Suits

It suits people with a stable weight who have loose upper-arm skin and accept a permanent scar. With elastic skin and only excess fat, liposuction alone may be enough, and very mild laxity may respond to non-surgical skin tightening. Surgery is postponed while weight is still changing, with an uncontrolled illness or bleeding disorder, and a history of arm lymphedema needs a particularly careful assessment.

How the Operation Is Done

An arm lift takes about two and a half hours under general anesthesia, with one night in hospital; arm liposuction on its own takes about an hour. The incision is placed on the inner or back-inner side of the arm, where it is least visible with your arms at your sides, and continues into the armpit if the sagging reaches it. Excess skin and fat are removed and nearby fat is thinned with liposuction. Plastic surgeon Op. Dr. Toygar Ünveren marks the limits of the sagging and shows you the length and position of the scar beforehand.

Recovery

Swelling, bruising and tightness are expected at first, and a compression sleeve or elastic bandage is worn for several weeks; resting the arms slightly raised on a pillow helps early on. After liposuction alone most people are back at a desk within a few days, and after an arm lift within one to two weeks. Arm-intensive sport waits a few weeks, and the scar takes months to mature.

Risks to Discuss

A thick or widened scar, fluid collection, bleeding, infection, separation of the wound edges and small differences between the arms can occur. If skin nerves on the inner arm are affected, sensation in the forearm can change temporarily or, rarely, permanently. Numbness in the hand, a marked color change, increasing swelling or fever after surgery need prompt care.

Planning Your Trip to Istanbul

If you are traveling from abroad, the first consultation can be held remotely before you book your trip, so you arrive with a clear plan. Plan for one night in hospital and a follow-up visit before flying, and bring loose sleeves that fit over the compression garment.

Book a Consultation

Interested in Arm Lift? Contact us to schedule a personalised consultation with our specialists.