Arm Lift 

An arm lift- or a brachioplasty- is a surgery that tightens drooping, flabby skin of the upper arms, eliminating the look of “bat wings”. The procedure is recommended for those who have experienced significant weight loss and are left with skin that cannot recoil to the body’s newly attained contours. Even if you are within a normal weight range, having this extra tissue can leave you feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable with wearing short-sleeved tops. Many men and women are finding that the permanent results of an arm lift can restore body confidence and help them fully enjoy the benefits of their weight loss accomplishments. 

If an arm lift sounds like the body-contouring solution you have been waiting for, get in contact with Miracle Mile Cosmetic Surgery Center in Miami. 

To get started with a consultation, call (305) 901-2388 or inquire with our contact form, and we will help you schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. 

What is Arm Laxity? 

Upper arm skin laxity is more than just an inconvenience. Those affected by it can experience bothersome rashes, chafing, and feelings of embarrassment about how much tissue is present. Some patients seeking an arm lift are otherwise thin people but are afflicted by wrinkled, stretchy skin that does not match the rest of their bodies. Some patients exhibit stretch marks and hyperpigmentation in the area, further contributing to an aged look. 

At Miracle Mile, we understand that having such significant laxity is extremely disheartening. The reasons these types of changes occur are varied; everything from the natural aging process to genetics, to pregnancy, and massive weight loss can contribute to alterations in skin and fat composition. Beginning as early as your 30s, the skin’s supportive dermis layer can begin to weaken, leading to more wrinkles and fine lines. ⁽¹⁾ Any fat buildup within the arms can migrate downward, making toned arms much more difficult to achieve. With weight loss, however, collagen begins to degrade in quality, and the skin develops more elastin fibers– the main cause of loose skin. Sun exposure is another factor that can exacerbate the issue; while it usually leads to conditions like freckles, liver spots, and minor wrinkles, it can also speed up collagen degradation. 

An arm lift is the only long-lasting solution since hanging skin cannot return naturally to its normal shape. With the highly skilled and technical knowledge of the body-contouring surgeons of Miracle Mile, you can feel good about flaunting this part of your body and your ability to wear any clothes of your choosing. 

Arm Lift Candidates 

Candidates for the procedure have loose skin in the bicep and/or tricep area and wish to refine these contours with minimally invasive techniques. To safely perform the procedure, your Miracle Mile surgeon will carefully assess your health and any risks that may be present. Patients should be close to their ideal weight with a BMI under 30. ⁽²⁾ They should also be committed non-smokers or willing to stop their habit for at least a few weeks to optimize their healing. You will be able to speak with your surgeon about the prospect of combining an arm lift with liposuction to further enhance an even, attractive contour. For some, liposuction alone is sufficient enough to create significant results if there is no lax skin development and only excess stubborn fat. 

Personal Consultation

A consultation at Miracle Mile will help you figure out if the arm lift is a good fit for you. During this appointment, you will get the chance to ask questions about the procedure and discuss your specific cosmetic desires. We will take the time necessary to outline how to best prepare, the recommended procedure techniques, and the recovery process. They will go over other available treatment options if they feel you could benefit from a different approach. They may go over your blood tests and other health evaluations to ensure that you can safely undergo the procedure with minimal issues. 

To get in contact with Miracle Mile, call our Miami location at (305) 901-2388 or request your consultation online today. A staff member can introduce you to our facility and give you a better idea of the premium care and attentiveness you can expect from our surgeons. 

Preparation

Before you undergo an arm lift, your surgeon will ask that you stop smoking and avoid certain blood-thinning medications and anti-inflammatories. They will review your current list to make sure you refrain from these to prevent the possibility of unwanted bleeding or bruising. You should pick up your post-procedure prescriptions, plan easy meals, and make a plan with a friend or family member to escort you home once you are discharged. Since you will have to be under general anesthesia, you should refrain from eating at least 12 hours before surgery. Your surgeon will give you an oral nausea medication to mitigate the anesthesia side effects once you wake up. 

Procedure Options 

Traditional Brachioplasty 

For a standard arm lift procedure, you will have to lie on your back with your arms at a right angle for accurate measurements. A Miracle Mile anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia so that you will be completely asleep for the entire procedure. Depending on your cosmetic needs, your surgeon may begin “debulking” using liposuction to remove fat. ⁽³⁾ The incision for liposuction is only about 1 centimeter in length, so it will not leave a noticeable scar. To perform this part of the procedure, they will introduce tumescent fluid subcutaneously, allowing the fat to engorge and separate from other tissues under the skin. This solution contains epinephrine to significantly reduce blood loss and lidocaine to properly numb the area and promote less discomfort during recovery. They will then use a long suction tool called a cannula to collect the fat from the upper arm. 

Your surgeon will begin the lift portion of the procedure making an incision on the innermost part of your arm, ensuring that the incision line is subtle and extends from the elbow crease to the armpit. With this opening, your surgeon will strategically remove more fat deposits weighing down the surrounding skin. They will then assess the excess skin, redraping it over the incision to measure how much to remove and where to apply sutures. They will be careful to leave at least a centimeter of extra skin to allow the scar to heal properly without opening. 

Mini Brachioplasty

A mini arm lift is indicated for people with only a small amount of laxity in their upper arms. For this approach, your surgeon will only need to make one small horizontal incision (about 2 inches) within the armpit, allowing them to pull the skin taut and remove the unnecessary amount. Sometimes, an added short incision that lies perpendicular to the armpit incision is required. Liposuction is typically recommended as a complementary procedure to a mini arm lift. For these less invasive arm lifts, your surgeon may only administer local anesthesia with IV sedation to keep you comfortable, and it will typically take less time. 

Axillary/Extended Arm Lift 

An extended arm lift offers the most comprehensive changes; for this method, your surgeon will use a traditional incision but extend it from the armpit to the chest wall. These procedures are recommended for those who have lost 50+ lbs and have severe laxity.

Recovery and Results 

Regardless of the chosen arm lift technique, you will experience some amount of bruising and swelling in the area. Your arms may feel physically tighter and more stiff. In the first 2 to 3 days, you will experience the most significant swelling, but it will gradually subside after that. Your surgeon will give you further instructions about wearing your compression garments to keep swelling at bay. 

As you continue to heal, you may notice that your scars look red and irritated. Bear in mind that these will continue to fade with time, given that you follow post-operative instructions carefully. After your Miracle Mile surgeon removes your sutures, you should consider utilizing scar creams and/or gels to help the skin replenish its growth of healthy skin. Luckily, about 2 weeks after your surgery, you will likely be well enough to go back to work, given that you do not use your arms excessively. You should try to avoid any exercise for at least one month, or until your surgeon gives you clearance. It could take up to 8 months for residual swelling to go away, depending on your personal rate of healing. 

Cost of an Arm Lift in Miami 

The cost of your arm lift will depend on the applied technique, anesthesia fees, follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and other surgical fees to ensure your procedure goes smoothly and safely. Your surgeon will discuss these factors with you and give you a detailed quote during your consultation. At Miracle Mile, we also offer a variety of financing options with reliable companies like CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi, helping you avoid expensive out-of-pocket payments. 

If you are ready to take the next step toward body rejuvenation with an arm lift or another one of our cosmetic procedures, we invite you to call our Miami office at (305) 901-2388 or use our contact form. Our staff is ready to deliver the high-quality surgical care and service you deserve. 

References

1. Rousseaux I, Robson S. Body Contouring and Skin Tightening Using a Unique Novel Multisource Radiofrequency Energy Delivery Method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2017;10(4):24-29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5404777/  
2. Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/ 
3. Han HH, Lee MC, Kim SH, Lee JH, Ahn ST, Rhie JW. Upper Arm Contouring with Brachioplasty after Massive Weight Loss. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2014;41(3):271-276. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2014.41.3.271