Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Brachioplasty is a procedure that removes the excess skin and fat from the upper arm. Most of the patients have lost weight and now their arms are looser. There are some patients, though, who are not overweight, but have flabby upper arms. Many refer to them as "bat wings". Upper body exercises will increase muscle tone, but unfortunately don't tighten up the skin.

The procedure involves liposuctioning the back of the arm and removing skin from the inner aspect. In most patients I try to leave as short a scar as possible, limiting it to the upper half of the upper arm and extending into the axilla or armpit area. In some patients, though the amount of excess skin is such that the incision has to extend down to the elbow.

For my patients who've undergone massive weight loss, such as those who have had either gastric bypass or gastric banding, the procedure is combined with a breast lift, which extends into the armpit area and lateral aspect of the back.