What Is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose, hanging skin and excess fat from the upper arm and tightens the skin that remains, so the arm is firm and smooth from the armpit to the elbow. Loose upper-arm skin, often called “bat wings,” follows major weight loss, bariatric surgery, pregnancy and aging, and once the skin has stretched past its ability to recover, no amount of exercise brings it back. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Moises Salama performs brachioplasty at Elite Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and tailors the incision to how much skin needs to go.
Arm lift at a glance
- Treats
- Hanging upper-arm skin, with or without excess fat
- Techniques
- Limited (armpit), standard (armpit to elbow), extended (onto the chest); liposuction added when needed
- Anesthesia / time
- General; about 2–3 hours; home the same day
- Scar
- Inner arm, hidden with the arms at the sides; fades over a year
- Recovery
- Desk work 1–2 weeks; sleeves ~6 weeks; full activity 6 weeks
- Often combined with
- Liposuction, breast lift, back lift; a stage of post-weight-loss contouring
- Surgeon
- Dr. Moises Salama, board-certified plastic surgeon
The Benefits of Brachioplasty
- Removes the hanging skin that exercise, liposuction and skin-tightening devices cannot.
- Firmer, slimmer upper arms that fit sleeves and look proportionate to the rest of the body.
- Comfort in short sleeves and sleeveless clothing; less chafing and rash in the armpit fold.
- Can be combined with liposuction to remove fat and skin together.
- A lasting result for patients at a stable weight.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?
- You have loose, hanging skin of the upper arms, usually after major weight loss, bariatric surgery or with age.
- Your weight has been stable for six months or more; the arm lift removes skin, not large amounts of fat.
- You are in good health and do not smoke, or will stop for a month before and after surgery.
- You accept a scar along the inner arm in exchange for a firmer arm, and understand it takes about a year to fade.
- You have realistic expectations: the arm will be firmer and smaller, with a fine line where the skin was removed.
Patients with excess fat but elastic skin are usually better served by arm liposuction, and those with only mild laxity by liposuction with J-Plasma skin tightening, both of which leave no visible scar. Dr. Salama examines the skin and tells you which group you are in.
Video: Dr. Salama performs an extended brachioplasty. Contains surgical footage.
Arm Lift Techniques and Incisions
The amount and location of loose skin decide the incision; Dr. Salama uses the shortest one that will give a smooth result.
- Limited (mini) arm lift. A short incision hidden in the armpit crease, for mild laxity concentrated high on the inner arm. Skin is lifted upward and tucked into the armpit; no scar on the arm itself.
- Standard brachioplasty. An incision along the inside of the upper arm from the armpit toward the elbow, through which a wedge of skin and fat is removed and the remaining skin is closed snugly around the arm. Treats most patients with hanging skin.
- Extended brachioplasty. The same incision continued through the armpit onto the side of the chest, for patients after major weight loss whose loose skin runs from the arm into the chest wall and bra-line.
- With liposuction. When the arm has excess fat as well as skin, liposuction thins the fat first and the lift removes the skin, which gives a slimmer arm and a smoother contour than either alone.
Medical illustrations, simplified and not to scale.
Video: A look at brachioplasty surgery with Dr. Salama.
What to Expect During Arm Lift Surgery
- Consultation. Dr. Salama examines the skin and fat of each arm, measures the excess, and plans the incision type and whether to add liposuction. A virtual consultation with photos is available for out-of-town patients.
- Preparation. Labs and, when needed, medical clearance; no nicotine for a month before and after; stop blood thinners two weeks before; a stable weight.
- Anesthesia. General anesthesia by a board-certified anesthesia provider in the practice’s own state-certified facility.
- Surgery. About two to three hours for both arms. Liposuction first when planned; then the marked wedge of skin and fat is removed, the deeper tissue is supported with sutures and the skin is closed in layers with dissolving stitches. Small drains are used in some cases for a few days.
- Same-day discharge in compression sleeves, with written instructions and a follow-up visit in the first days.
How Long Is Brachioplasty Recovery?
| Time after surgery | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Arms wrapped or in compression sleeves, elevated on pillows; walk the same day; prescription medication; limited reaching and no lifting. |
| Days 4–7 | Drains, if used, removed; shower; over-the-counter medication; front-opening tops. |
| Weeks 1–2 | Desk work; swelling and bruising fade; no lifting over 5 lb or raising the arms overhead. |
| Weeks 3–6 | Light cardio; scar care with silicone begins once the incisions are sealed; sleeves until about week 6. |
| Week 6 | Cleared for exercise, lifting and full range of motion. |
| Months 3–12 | Swelling fully gone; the scar softens from red to pink to pale; final result at about a year. |
Temporary numbness of the inner arm or forearm, and some swelling of the hand in the first weeks, are normal and resolve. Call the office about any area of the incision that opens, drains or becomes red and warm.
Arm Lift Scars: Placement and Care
The scar is the trade-off of an arm lift, and placement decides how much it shows. Dr. Salama places it on the inner arm so it faces the body when the arms hang at the sides, where it is hidden in most positions and seen only when the arms are raised. It is red and raised for the first months, pink and softening by three to six months, and pale and flat by about a year. Silicone sheets or gel from about the third week, strict sun protection for a year, and no stretching of the arms for six weeks help it fade; laser treatment is available for scars that stay red. The scar never disappears entirely, and patients who choose an arm lift do so because a fine line is a better trade than hanging skin.
Arm Lift with Other Procedures
For patients after major weight loss the arm lift is one stage of a plan. It is commonly combined with a breast lift or back lift, whose incisions sit close to the extended brachioplasty incision, and staged with a body lift or tummy tuck three or more months apart. Dr. Salama limits each session for safety and plans the order with you.
How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost in Miami?
At Elite Plastic Surgery, an arm lift typically falls between $4,000 and $5,000. Where your quote lands in that range depends on the type of arm lift, whether liposuction is added and the time in the operating room. Your written quote from Elite Plastic Surgery lists the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia fee and your post-operative care, so you can compare it with other quotes that may leave those out. Arm lift is a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance; financing is available through CareCredit, United Medical Credit and Alphaeon Credit (see financing).
What changes the price of an arm lift
- Type of brachioplasty. A limited arm lift takes less time than a standard or extended one.
- Liposuction. Adds time when the arm has excess fat as well as skin.
- Combined procedures. A breast lift or back lift in the same session changes the total.
Why Choose Dr. Salama for Your Arm Lift
Patient reviews: 4.9★ on Google, 748 reviews for Elite Plastic Surgery · 4.7★ on RealSelf, 2,561 reviews (RealSelf Verified) · counts as of October 2026.
- Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society.
- The shortest incision that will give a smooth result, and an honest recommendation when liposuction or J-Plasma would serve you better.
- Surgery in the practice’s own state-certified facility in Hollywood, Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with board-certified anesthesia providers.
- Bilingual team: hablamos español. Virtual consultations for out-of-town patients.
Ready for Firmer Arms?
Book a virtual consultation from home, or call or text (305) 933-4033. Hablamos español.
Arm Lift Frequently Asked Questions
What is an arm lift (brachioplasty)?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose skin and excess fat from the upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow, and tightens the skin that remains, so the arm is firmer and smaller around. It is the only treatment for hanging skin (“bat wings”), because loose skin does not respond to exercise, liposuction or non-surgical tightening once it has lost its elasticity.
Who is a good candidate for an arm lift?
Adults with loose, hanging skin of the upper arms, usually after major weight loss, bariatric surgery or with age, who are at a stable weight, in good health, do not smoke or will stop for a month before and after surgery, and accept a scar along the inner arm in exchange for a firmer arm. Patients with excess fat but good skin are better served by liposuction, and those with mild laxity by J-Plasma.
What are the types of arm lift?
A limited (mini) arm lift uses a short incision hidden in the armpit for mild laxity high on the arm. A standard brachioplasty uses an incision along the inner arm from the armpit toward the elbow and treats most cases. An extended brachioplasty continues the incision onto the side of the chest when loose skin extends past the armpit, which is common after major weight loss. Dr. Salama adds liposuction when the arm has excess fat as well as skin.
Where is the arm lift scar and will it show?
On the inside of the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow, placed so it faces the body when the arms hang at the sides. It is hidden in most positions and shows when the arms are raised. The scar is red and raised for the first months, pink by three to six months and pale and flat by about a year; silicone scar care, sun protection and, if needed, laser treatment help it fade.
Can an arm lift be done without a scar?
Not when there is hanging skin. Liposuction alone or J-Plasma can be done through a few millimeter incisions, but they tighten skin only modestly; once the skin has stretched past the point of recovery, only removing it works. Dr. Salama will tell you which group you are in at the consultation.
How long does arm lift recovery take?
Plan one to two weeks before desk work and about six weeks before lifting or stretching the arms fully. Swelling and bruising fade over two to three weeks, the compression sleeves are worn for about six weeks, and the scar matures over a year. The full week-by-week plan is in the recovery section above.
Is an arm lift painful?
Expect tightness and soreness along the inner arms for the first week, controlled with prescription medication for a few days and over-the-counter medication after that. Raising the arms and reaching overhead are uncomfortable at first and become easy over the first weeks.
How long does brachioplasty surgery take?
About two to three hours for a standard arm lift on both arms, longer when liposuction or an extended incision is added. It is done under general anesthesia in the practice’s own state-certified facility and you go home the same day with a caregiver.
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Arm lift is often combined with liposuction of the arms, a breast lift or a back lift, because the incisions sit close together, and it is one of the stages of body contouring after weight loss along with the body lift. Dr. Salama decides what is safe to combine in one session.
Will the results of an arm lift last?
Yes. The skin that is removed does not come back. The arms continue to age and significant weight gain or loss changes them, but patients who keep a stable weight keep the result for many years.
Are there risks with brachioplasty?
The main ones are a widened or thickened scar, slow healing of part of the incision, fluid collection (seroma), numbness of the inner arm or forearm that is usually temporary, swelling of the hand or forearm in the first weeks, asymmetry and the general risks of surgery such as infection and bleeding. Dr. Salama discusses each and how it is reduced at your consultation.
How do I prepare for an arm lift?
Reach and hold a stable weight, stop nicotine for a month before and after surgery, stop blood-thinning supplements two weeks before, complete your labs, buy front-opening tops that do not need to be pulled over your head, and arrange help at home for the first days, because reaching and lifting are limited.
How much does an arm lift cost in Miami?
At Elite Plastic Surgery an arm lift typically runs $4,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of brachioplasty, whether liposuction is added and the time in the operating room. Your written quote lists the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia fee and your post-operative care, with no hidden extras, and financing is available through CareCredit, United Medical Credit and Alphaeon Credit. Brachioplasty is cosmetic and is not covered by insurance.
Does Dr. Salama perform arm lifts in Fort Lauderdale or Miami?
Dr. Salama operates at Elite Plastic Surgery’s own state-certified surgical facility in Hollywood, Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale and about 15 minutes from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. Patients come from across Miami-Dade and Broward and from out of state.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Arm lift (brachioplasty).
- The Aesthetic Society, Arm lift.
- Elite Plastic Surgery, Plastic surgery in Hollywood, FL.