Brachioplasty is the formal term, but most people just call it an arm lift. It’s the surgery that takes away that loose, hanging skin from the upper arms and gives back a tighter, smoother shape. It doesn’t shrink your arms into something they’re not. It reshapes them so they look more in line with the rest of your body.

Plenty of people hit the gym, clean up their diet, and even lose a lot of weight, only to notice the arms aren’t changing the way the rest of the body is. They stay soft, a bit saggy, and it feels like no amount of curls or push-ups will change that. That’s exactly what this surgery targets.

If you’ve been looking into options, you’ve probably seen treatments like non-surgical fat removal from stomach, or scrolled through articles about how can you get rid of your double chin. Some even think about whether to buy fat dissolving injections for quick fixes. Brachioplasty sits in a different category. It’s surgery, yes, but it’s one that delivers visible results right away.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is when a surgeon removes extra skin and sometimes fat from the upper arms. The change is noticeable: the underside of the arm goes from loose to tight, from soft folds to smoother lines.

It’s not a weight-loss tool. To be clear, it’s contouring. You go into surgery at a stable weight, and you come out with arms that better reflect your efforts. In some cases, liposuction is added into the mix, but the main job is skin removal.

Why Do People Choose Brachioplasty?

The reasons vary, but you hear a lot of the same ones repeated in consultations. Someone drops fifty pounds, feels amazing, but their arms still look like they belong to their “before” body.

Or a woman in her fifties says she’s fit, she swims every week, but her skin just doesn’t have the snap it once did. For others, it’s simpler: they just want to wear sleeveless dresses or t-shirts without thinking twice.

It’s not only about the mirror. There’s a mental lift, too. Patients often say they feel more in sync with their body image. Finally, the outside matches the way they feel inside. That shift can spill into confidence at work, social life, and even motivation to keep up healthy routines.

Types of Brachioplasty Procedures

Traditional Brachioplasty

This is the full version, the one with the incision running from elbow to armpit. It’s what surgeons use when there’s a lot of skin to remove. Yes, the scar is longer, but so is the impact.

Mini Arm Lift

A shorter incision, tucked into the armpit. Less invasive, less skin removed, but still enough to make a clear difference if the sagging isn’t severe.

Extended Arm Lift

Here, the incision goes beyond the arm, onto the chest wall. It’s for those who have extra skin extending outward, often after major weight loss.

The Brachioplasty Procedure Step by Step

The process starts long before the operating room. First is consultation — where goals are discussed, medical history is reviewed, and the surgeon marks up the arms. Patients usually leave that appointment with a clearer sense of what to expect.

Surgery day itself is straightforward:

Anesthesia so you’re fully comfortable.
Incisions are chosen based on the type of lift.
Removal of extra skin, sometimes with liposuction.
Tightening and stitching to close everything smoothly.

The surgery runs two to three hours. Most people don’t stay overnight. Once you’ve shaken off the anesthesia, you go home the same day.

Recovery After Arm Lift Surgery

The first few days can feel like you’ve done the hardest workout of your life. Arms are tight, heavy, and awkward to move. Swelling shows up early, and bruises may make the arms look worse before they look better. Patients are told to rest with arms propped on pillows. Not glamorous, but it helps.

By week two, the little daily wins appear. You can lift a coffee mug without wincing, wash your hair without feeling clumsy. Stitches may be removed if they aren’t dissolvable. Most people go back to work around this point, as long as their job doesn’t involve heavy lifting.

Six weeks in, the arms feel like yours again. The scars are still fresh, maybe a bit red or itchy, but you’re moving freely. Exercise can slowly come back into play. Over the following months, the scars flatten and fade. They never vanish, but they become thin pale lines, the kind you don’t think about unless you’re looking for them.

The moment many patients talk about is the first time they pull on a fitted t-shirt or sleeveless dress and don’t adjust it in front of the mirror. That’s when they know the recovery was worth it.

Brachioplasty Before and After Results

The “before and after” is where the change really shows. In the before, you see sagging skin hanging under the arms, no matter the person’s fitness level. In the after, the arms look firm, the contour smoother, the proportion better.

Photos often highlight people standing confidently, arms outstretched or resting naturally. What the images don’t capture is the feeling: sleeves fitting comfortably, no more hesitation about raising your hand in a meeting or clapping at a concert.

How Much Is Brachioplasty?

One of the first questions people ask: how much is brachioplasty? The answer isn’t simple. The cost shifts depending on where you live, who your surgeon is, and what kind of facility you choose. Add in anesthesia and aftercare, and the range can vary widely.

That’s why consultations matter. You sit down, outline your goals, and the surgeon gives you a tailored number. It’s not about chasing the lowest price but about finding a qualified professional who understands what you want.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The best candidates are those in good health, at a stable weight, and realistic about the outcome. Brachioplasty isn’t for dropping pounds—it’s for contouring. If you’re dealing with arm flabbiness or loose skin that doesn’t respond to workouts, you’re in the right group.

A professional consultation confirms if surgery is the right fit. That’s where safety checks, expectations, and planning all come together.

Longevity of Results

Here’s the good news: results last. Once the skin is removed, it doesn’t come back. Arms stay toned as long as your weight is stable and your lifestyle stays balanced.

Aging will continue, of course, and skin will naturally loosen over decades. But the improvements are long-term. Most patients keep their results for years, often decades.

Healthy habits, like regular exercise and mindful eating, are the easiest way to extend the benefits.

Alternatives to Brachioplasty

Not everyone is ready for surgery. And that’s fine. There are alternatives, though they don’t create as dramatic a change.

Radiofrequency treatments can gently tighten skin.
Laser therapy works on mild sagging.
Focused workouts can build muscle underneath.

References

Sisti, A., et al. (2017). Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review. Acta Biomedica, 88(4), 489-496. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6166161/

Nisi, G., et al. (2022). The Jaws Brachioplasty: An Original Technique: Improving outcomes in post-bariatric patients. Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9457159/

Nagrath, N. (2023). Brachioplasty. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/

Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Brachioplasty (Arm Lift): Surgery, Recovery & What To Expect. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23367-brachioplasty-arm-lift

Dr Adrian Brooks. (2024). Brachioplasty. https://www.dradrianbrooks.com.au/brachioplasty/

Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. (2025). Arm lift recovery guide: timeline, tips, and more. https://advancedcosmeticsurgery-sc.com/advanced-cosmetic-surgery-blog/arm-lift-recovery-guide-timeline-tips-and-more

Richardson, J. (2024). Brachioplasty Melbourne – Arm Lift Surgery. https://jeremyrichardson.com.au/brachioplasty-arm-lift/

Dr Jake Lim. (2024). Recovery after Arm Lift (Brachioplasty). https://drjakelim.com.au/blog/recovery-after-arm-lift-brachioplasty/

The Aesthetic Society. (2021). Upper Arm Lift – Aftercare & Recovery. https://www.theaestheticsociety.org/procedures/body/upper-arm-lift/aftercare-recovery

Benenden Hospital. (2024). Patient guide to brachioplasty (upper arm lift). https://www.benendenhospital.org.uk/health-news/cosmetic-surgery-aesthetics/patient-guide-to-arm-lift/

Common Questions About This Topic

What Is Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty is simply the medical name for an arm lift. A surgeon removes sagging skin, sometimes along with small pockets of fat, to reshape the arm. It isn’t a weight-loss tool, but more about contouring.

How Much Is Brachioplasty?

There’s no one-size-fits-all price tag. The cost depends on the surgeon, the city, and what’s included in the package. In New York or Los Angeles, the figure will be different than in a smaller town. Add anesthesia, facility fees, and follow-up visits, and the total shifts again. Most people only get a clear answer after sitting down in a consultation.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift is just the everyday way of saying brachioplasty. Doctors may use the technical term, but clinics and patients usually prefer “arm lift” because it’s easy to understand. Both names mean the same thing. If you see a clinic advertising arm lifts and another advertising brachioplasty, they’re talking about the same surgery. Nothing confusing — just two labels for one procedure.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From an Arm Lift?

Recovery feels different at each stage. The first week is the hardest. Arms feel tight and heavy, like you’ve done the longest workout of your life and can’t shake the soreness. By the second week, daily things feel manageable again. Many people go back to office work around this point, though lifting or gym workouts are off-limits.

What Are the Brachioplasty Before and After Results Like?

The difference is usually dramatic. Before, you see loose folds or sagging skin hanging under the arm. After, the shape is smoother, more proportional, and clothes fit better. The biggest surprise for many isn’t what they see in the mirror, but what they feel day to day.