Surgery that removes the loose, hanging skin on the upper arm that follows major weight loss or aging, usually with liposuction of any remaining fat, through an incision along the inner arm. The only fix for skin that hangs; the trade is a scar most people consider worth it.
Also called: brachioplasty, arm lift surgery, upper arm lift, bat wing surgery
An arm lift is the procedure for the problem no device solves: skin on the upper arm that hangs. After major weight loss, and sometimes simply with age, the skin of the inner upper arm loses its elasticity and drapes, showing in sleeveless clothing and when the arm is raised. Tightening treatments can firm skin that is loose but still in place. Once it hangs, removing it is the only fix, and an arm lift is that removal.
What the surgery does
Through an incision along the inner arm, from the armpit toward the elbow, the surgeon removes the excess skin and any excess fat, often with liposuction to refine the contour, and closes the arm in a firmer, slimmer line. For milder laxity concentrated near the armpit, a shorter incision confined to the armpit crease may be enough. The procedure takes two to three hours under general anesthesia and is frequently combined with other body contouring after weight loss.
The scar
It is the honest trade. A full arm lift leaves a line along the inner arm, positioned to face the body so it is hidden with the arms at rest and visible when they are raised. It fades over one to two years and rarely disappears. Surgeons who do a lot of this work place it carefully and show you exactly where it will sit; patients overwhelmingly report that the firm contour was worth the line, but the decision should be made with the scar in view.
Recovery
Compression sleeves for several weeks, arms elevated and kept relatively still for the first few days, desk work at one to two weeks, and full activity at about six. Swelling and firmness settle over a few months. The skin removed does not return; the result lasts as long as weight stays stable.
What it costs
Typically $5,000 to $10,000 for both arms including surgeon, anesthesia, and facility, with the total rising when it is part of a larger body contouring plan. Cosmetic arm lifts are not covered by insurance.
Choosing a surgeon
Ask how many arm lifts the surgeon performs and to see results at one year, including the scar, on arms that started like yours. Ask how they decide between a short and a full incision. If you have lost significant weight, ask about their experience with post-weight-loss contouring and how they stage procedures.
Browse the surgeons below and compare arm lift providers and pricing by city.
Why people choose Arm Lift
The only treatment that removes hanging arm skin
Firm, defined upper arms in one procedure
Combined with liposuction for arms that have both skin and fat
Scar placed along the inner arm, hidden with arms at rest
Are you a good candidate?
People with significant loose skin on the upper arms, most often after large weight loss, at a stable weight, who accept a scar on the inner arm in exchange for a firm contour
By location
Find Arm Lift near you
1,144 practices across 266 cities list Arm Lift on ClinicCompass. 897 of them (78%) say on their own websites that they offer financing or payment plans;
ask about approval and interest before you book.
Do I need an arm lift or can a device tighten my arms?
Pinch the loose skin on the inner upper arm. If it is a thin fold that hangs and you can gather it in your hand, only surgery removes it; tightening devices firm mild laxity and will not shrink a hanging fold. If the skin is loose but still sits against the arm, radio-frequency tightening or a fat treatment may be enough. A surgeon will show you which by lifting the skin and demonstrating what removal would achieve.
Where is the scar and how visible is it?
For a full arm lift the incision runs along the inner arm from the armpit toward the elbow, placed so it faces the body and is hidden with arms at rest. For milder laxity a short incision confined to the armpit may suffice. The scar fades over one to two years and is the main trade-off of the procedure; most patients who have it say the contour was worth the line.
What is the recovery?
Compression sleeves for several weeks, arms kept relatively still and elevated for the first days, desk work at one to two weeks, and lifting or exercise at about six weeks. Swelling settles over a few months. The result is permanent for the skin removed, provided weight stays stable.
What does it cost?
Typically $5,000 to $10,000 for both arms including surgeon, anesthesia, and facility, higher when combined with liposuction or other body contouring. Not covered by insurance for cosmetic reasons.
