An arm lift, otherwise known as brachioplasty, at The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Kitchener-Waterloo can remove the excess skin and fat from the upper arms, leaving them with a more pleasing and youthful contour. As a person ages, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. The incision extends from the elbow to the underarm, and sometimes on to the side of the chest. In some instances, the surgeon may recommend that liposuction be used alone or in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat in the arms.
Arm Lift
An arm lift, otherwise known as brachioplasty, at The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in Kitchener-Waterloo can remove the excess skin and fat from the upper arms, leaving them with a more pleasing and youthful contour. As a person ages, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. The incision extends from the elbow to the underarm, and sometimes on to the side of the chest. In some instances, the surgeon may recommend that liposuction be used alone or in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat in the arms.
The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic
50 Albert Street
Waterloo, ON N2L 3S2 Phone: (519) 746-1132 Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Am I good candidate for upper arm lift?
Arm lift surgery can be performed on a large variety of patients. The majority of patients present with excel skin and fat in their upper arms and complain that their arms feel and look like “bat wings”. Some older women who have extra skin that is bothersome and desire a better arm contour are potential candidates.
For patients who have minimal upper arm fat excess, with no skin excess, liposuction alone can be effective. For patients that have some extra skin that is minimal in nature and is located near the armpit, an improvement can be attained through a scar limited to the arm pit. For patients who present with a lot of upper arm excess, as in the case of most weight loss patients, tissue must be removed through a scar that runs from the elbow, through the arm pit, and onto the side of the chest.
Meet our surgeons
Dr. Robert Shenker
Dr. Shenker is one of the most respected plastic surgeons in the Waterloo Region of Southern Ontario. His patients enjoy outstanding results and care due to his elite training, experience, and dedication to his patients' well-being.
As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Ma brings a unique perspective that our patients appreciate. Her international fellowship training and compassionate care set her apart as one of the top cosmetic surgeons in the region.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you stop smoking well in advance of the surgery. Smoking can affect your ability to heal. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued prior to arm lift surgery.
This 66-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the excess skin laxity in those areas.She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in the position where it would be the least noticeable with natural an... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This 44-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the laxity of the excess skin and fat in those areas after having had a successful weight loss journey.She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in th... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This healthy 40-year-old woman was unhappy with the appearance that the excess skin and fatty tissue of her arms.
She underwent our standard liposuction procedure (all done through a 7 mm incisions) along with BodyTite for extra contouring to her areas of concern. BodyTite uses radio-frequency (RF) energy to tighten up skin and... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This 61-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the laxity of the excess skin and fat in those areas after a successful journey with weight loss.She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in the posi... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This healthy 54-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the excess skin and fat in those areas.
She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in the position where it would be the least noticeable with... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This 63-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the laxity of the excess skin and fat in those areas after a successful journey with weight loss.She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in the posi... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This 40-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the laxity of the excess skin and fat in those areas after a successful journey with weight loss.
She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in t... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
This 46-year-old woman was unhappy with the contour of her upper arms as a result of the excess skin laxity in those areas after a successful weightloss journey.
She underwent a brachioplasty which is a surgical procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The scar was placed in the position where it would... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Being able to wear short sleeve clothing without being self conscious
Arm Lift Risks/Complications/Patient Safety
Bleeding
Infection
Unattractive scarring
Swelling of the hands
Seroma formation (seromas are fluid collections that can arise after surgery along the incision line)
Arm Lift Recovery Process
Wrap the arms or use compression garments
The arms are elevated for a few days, above the heart
Slow return of normal function of the arms and hands over a couple of weeks
You should avoid aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for the first few days after your arm lift surgery. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke may impair the healing process and should be avoided.
Arm Lift
FAQ
Will arm lift surgery be painful?
Postoperative pain is subjective and will vary considerably from person to person. The average patient undergoing an upper arm reduction procedure will usually require a few days of oral pain medication to treat discomfort. Over a 7 to 10 day period most people resolve the majority of their acute postoperative pain.
Will there be scarring with arm lift surgery?
Upper arm reduction involves the removal of skin and necessitates the creation of a scar that starts near the elbow, traverses to the armpit, and often crosses onto the chest wall. Any scar goes through a maturation process, which takes at least year to complete. Most scars are conspicuous, at least initially. The placement of the upper arm reduction scar could be on the inner arm so that it is not visible when the patient’s arm is by their side.
What are some typical short-term side effects of having an arm lift?
Immediately after surgery some patients will have a feeling of tightness in the upper arm as the area swells due to the trauma of surgery. Some patients may develop swelling and some tingling of the hands as well. Most of these symptoms resolve with time.
What type of anesthesia will be used for arm lift surgery?
Most arm lifts are performed under a general anesthetic. It is important that the facility that the procedure is performed in is an accredited facility where the type of anesthesia utilized is allowed.
Achieve your Dream Look
Schedule Your Consultation
Men and women considering arm lift surgery travel from Guelph, Cambridge, Windsor, and London, Ontario, to The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic. Contact us online to meet with one of our surgeons, or call our office at
(519) 746-1132 to schedule an appointment.
