An arm lift removes loose skin and fat from the inner upper arm to refine the contour of the arm.
The inner upper arm accumulates fat easily and has thin skin, so it sags readily with weight changes and age. Skin that hangs down when you raise your arm is hard to reduce with exercise, and it can become a reason to avoid short sleeves or sleeveless clothing.
An arm lift removes loose skin and fat from the inner upper arm to refine the contour of the arm. If fat alone is the problem, liposuction is enough, but stretched skin requires removal. The length of the incision depends on the degree and extent of sagging.
Because this surgery leaves a scar, the incision line is placed carefully. It is positioned along the inner line that is not easily seen when your arm is down, and the balance between the silhouette you want and the length of the scar is decided together during consultation.
An incision is placed within the armpit crease and the excess skin of the upper part of the arm is drawn upward and removed. The scar is hidden in the armpit, but the extent of correction is limited.
An incision runs along the inner upper arm from the armpit toward the elbow, and loose skin and fat are removed together. Sagging along the full length of the upper arm can be corrected.
The incision is extended past the armpit to the side of the chest to address excess skin of the armpit and side chest as well.
Before removing skin, liposuction reduces the thickness of the upper arm, and then only skin is removed. This reduces the extent of dissection and helps preserve nerves and lymphatic vessels.
These may vary depending on your condition; we will give you precise details at your consultation.
We pinch the inner upper-arm skin to measure the excess and check whether the sagging stays in the upper part of the arm or continues to the elbow. Whether a short incision is enough or the incision must run the length of the arm is decided by this extent.
The incision is placed on the inner upper arm, in the groove between the front and back muscles or along the posterior border, so it is not readily visible when the arm hangs naturally. The balance between scar length and degree of correction is decided together during consultation.
For a thicker arm, reducing fat first with liposuction lessens the amount of skin removed and the extent of dissection. We work in the superficial layer to preserve the sensory nerves and lymphatic flow that run along the inner arm.
In surgery that pulls skin together, a scar widens easily when tension concentrates in one layer. We close in several layers starting from the deep layer, and include postoperative compression and scar care in aftercare.
Surgery is completed with an anesthesiologist, and you are monitored in a private recovery room. A compression bandage is applied and you are advised to keep your arm above heart level.
Swelling and bruising are at their peak. Move your hands and wrists below the elbow often, but avoid raising your arm above shoulder height. If a drain was placed, it is removed during this period.
Stitches are removed and the wound is checked. You continue wearing the compression garment; light daily activities such as washing and eating are possible.
Most daily activities become possible. Lifting heavy objects and reaching far with the arm are still restricted.
Exercise is resumed in stages. Scars turn red during this period, and scar tape and laser care begin.
Swelling subsides and the line settles. The scar continues to fade gradually afterward.
Bleeding, infection, hematoma and seroma may occur. If the cutaneous sensory nerves that run along the inner arm are irritated or injured, reduced sensation or numbness may occur in the inner upper arm and part of the forearm; this mostly recovers over several months, but may persist in some cases. A scar remains along the incision line and, depending on your skin, may widen or develop into a hypertrophic scar or keloid. The wound may open or take time to heal, and temporary obstruction of lymphatic flow can cause swelling of the hand and forearm. Asymmetry, recurrent sagging of the skin, and contour irregularities from removing too little or too much skin may occur and may require revision surgery. Results vary by individual, and all of this is explained fully at consultation.
The content on this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act. The results of surgery and treatments and the recovery period may vary by individual. All surgeries and treatments carry a risk of side effects, so please decide after a thorough consultation with a specialist.
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