Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)


Brachioplasty, also called arm lift surgery, is a surgery to remove excess skin and fat that hangs from your arms. The excess skin often comes from losing a lot of weight. This surgery is done to improve overall quality of life when the excess skin causes problems with personal hygiene, or if it has a negative impact on your daily tasks and activities.
 

About the surgery

  • The surgery is done by making cuts (incisions) in the skin along the back of the arm. These cuts extend from the elbow to the armpit. 
  • The skin is closed with stitches (sutures) placed under the skin. These sutures are absorbable, meaning they dissolve over time and do not need to be removed. The incision is covered with a skin adhesive, or skin glue, that keeps the skin sealed in the early phase of skin healing. 

Shows before and after image with skin hanging from arms in before with dash lines showing with sutures will go, then after image with excess skin removed.

  • Brachioplasty is usually done as an outpatient surgery, which means you do not need to stay in the hospital after. Surgery can take 2 to 4 hours. 
  • Liposuction is sometimes also used, a process to remove fat from your body using suction. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it is needed. 
  • Drain tubes may be placed in each arm to let extra fluid to drain out, if needed. Fluid can cause more swelling or an infection, if not treated. 

After Surgery

  • Most people have pain for a few days after surgery, then milder soreness and discomfort for a week or longer. You will be prescribed medicine to help with pain. 
  • Swelling and bruising can last for several weeks. 
  • Wearing compression wraps and following activity limits, or restrictions, can help reduce swelling and pain. They also prevent strain on the incisions that can cause problems with healing. 
  • You can shower after 48 hours. Any compression wraps or garments on your arms will need to be put back on after showering. You will be instructed at your first follow up appointment when to stop wearing these, most often after 1 or 2 weeks. 
  • The skin glue keeps the incision protected right after surgery. This flakes off on its own over several weeks.
  • If you have drain tubes, they will be removed 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. They may stay in longer if needed.
  • You will have activity limits for 6 weeks after surgery. 
  • You may be able to return to work sooner than 6 weeks, but this depends on your job duties. 
  • You will not be able to soak in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until your skin is fully healed. Your doctor will let you know when you can soak in water or swim. This is usually not before 6 weeks. 
  • Your scars will be mostly healed by 6 weeks, but it takes over 1 year for them to reach their full strength. The scar color fades over time, but will never completely disappear.

Surgery risks 

  • Complications are possible with any surgical procedure. Possible complications of brachioplasty or arm lift surgery include:
  • Bleeding 
  • Infection
  • Fluid or blood collecting under the skin
  • Problems healing
  • Sensation changes
  • Death of fatty tissue beneath the skin (fat necrosis)
  • Persistent pain
  • Sutures that do not absorb, which can cause irritation, drainage, and redness
  • Injury to surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and muscles
  • Cosmetic concerns, like asymmetry (sides not looking the same), contour deformities (shape not as expected), or unfavorable scar appearance (scar does not look as expected)
  • Complications from anesthesia (pneumonia, heart complications, blood clots, or death)
     

© 2022 ― August 5, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.