Arm Lift
Consultations offered at our five convenient locations in Harley Street, London, Princess Margaret Hospital, (Windsor), Spire Thames Valley, (Gerrards Cross), Kings' Oak Hospital, (Enfield) and Refresh Medispa, (Amersham)
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a body contouring procedure during which the surgeon removes excess skin from the upper arms to achieve a more slender and proportionate look. (1) Patients often undergo this procedure after weight loss; when patients lose weight, they are often left with stretched, sagging skin that is often difficult to improve through dieting and exercise alone. (2)
At Refresh, Dr Maisam Fazel can perform an arm lift to improve the appearance of the upper arms. Dr Fazel is a leading consultant aesthetic, oncoplastic, and reconstructive surgeon who has expertise in a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures. He offers more than 23 years of training and experience in medicine; throughout his career, he has received awards and recognition for his transformative results and dedication to his patients.
If you are ready to start working with Dr Fazel, please submit our online contact form or call +44 330 660 0979.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Arm Lifts
At Refresh, Dr Fazel can perform different types of arm lifts, including the traditional arm lift and a specialised variation known as the short-scar arm lift.
- Traditional Arm Lift: A traditional arm lift incision extends from beneath the armpit to just above the elbow, and is effective for addressing severe skin laxity, often resulting from substantial weight loss.
- Short-Scar Arm Lift: A short-scar arm lift is a variation of the traditional arm lift that is designed to address mild to moderate skin laxity. This version uses a shorter incision in the armpit.
Benefits
An arm lift has many benefits, including:
- More Defined Contours: Arm lifts restore a more slender and toned appearance to your arms.
- Tighter, Smoother Skin: Dr Fazel can remove loose and hanging skin to restore a firmer look and feel.
- Reduced Chafing: This procedure can prevent irritation or rashes caused by the chafing of excess arm skin.
- Elevated Confidence: Improving the aesthetic appearance of your arms can boost your self-confidence and empower you to wear sleeveless tops, dresses, and swimwear.
- Lasting Results: When you maintain a healthy lifestyle, the results of an arm lift can last for many years.
- Personalised Surgical Plan: Dr Fazel designs each surgical plan around your unique anatomy and aesthetic desires.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for an arm lift include most patients interested in removing loose or hanging skin from around their upper arms. Those seeking an arm lift after weight loss should be at a stable weight before considering this procedure, as fluctuations in weight can affect the results over time.
Candidates should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding the potential outcome of their procedure. Patients should ideally be nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine entirely. Dr Fazel will finalise each patient’s candidacy for an arm lift during their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
You will need to attend a personal consultation before scheduling your procedure. During this consultation, Dr Fazel will meet with you individually and ask you about your medical history, current prescriptions, concerns, and aesthetic goals. He will also perform a physical evaluation to examine your arms.
Dr Fazel will use this information to assess your candidacy and create your treatment plan. He will select the most appropriate surgical technique for your case, potentially recommending additional treatments to enhance your results. He will also answer any questions you may have about your procedure. By the time your consultation concludes, Dr Fazel will have outlined a personalised surgical procedure designed just for you.
To schedule this consultation, please submit our online contact form. To directly reach our Harley Street, Windsor, Harrow, Stoke Poges, Slough, or Amersham offices, please call +44 330 660 0979.
Preparation
Dr Fazel will provide a set of pre-operative instructions before your procedure. These instructions may vary depending on the details of your surgical plan, but often include:
- Discontinue certain blood-thinning medications and supplements.
- If applicable, you will need to fully cease any nicotine use and alcohol consumption for several weeks before and after the procedure.
- Prepare to take time away from your career and responsibilities.
- Arrange transportation home from your procedure.
- Undergo lab testing to ensure your physical readiness.
Following any instructions you are given closely will help facilitate a successful procedure and smooth recovery.
Procedure
Arm lifts are typically performed as outpatient procedures—meaning you will be able to go home the same day—and take approximately two hours to complete. Your procedure will begin with the cleansing and sterilization of your skin before anesthesia administration.
Dr Fazel will then begin placing the incisions. If he is performing a short-scar arm lift, the incision will be confined to the armpit. If he is performing a traditional arm lift, the incision will extend from beneath the armpit to above the elbow. He will then remove excess skin and tissue from around the upper arms, restoring a more slender and smoother appearance.
If there is stubborn fat in the treatment area that you would like to address at the same time, Dr Fazel may also perform VASER liposuction, during which he will use ultrasonic vibrations and gentle suction to emulsify and remove fat, leaving the area even more contoured and defined. Liposuction is always performed before skin removal, not after. After making the necessary corrections, Dr Fazel will close the incisions, and you will rest in our recovery suite before being released home.
Recovery
When recovering from an arm lift, you will need to take time away from your responsibilities to focus on your recovery. You can expect to experience swelling or bruising around the arms, but these effects will gradually dissipate on their own. You may return to your career after one to two weeks, depending on the nature of your job; however, you should continue to avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous/demanding tasks until Dr Fazel approves.
Dr Fazel will provide you with a compression garment to wear throughout your recovery. This garment will help minimise swelling and support your newly sculpted arms. Throughout your recovery, you will return for follow-up appointments so that Dr Fazel and his team can monitor your progress.
Results
The results of your arm lift may vary depending on the details of your surgical plan. Once you are fully healed, you can expect a more sculpted and contoured appearance in your arms, as well as a more proportionate and balanced figure. Your skin will look and feel smoother and tighter, and you will no longer face the same irritation from chafing. Your tops will look more flattering on you, and you will likely feel more confident without sleeves.
Arm lifts create durable, long-lasting results, but you should do your best to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, as fluctuations in weight can affect the results of your procedure.
Cost of Arm Lifts in Harley Street, London, and Amersham, England
The cost of your arm lift may vary depending on the type of arm lift, the scale of your procedure, whether you undergo any additional procedures, and several other factors. Dr Fazel will provide a comprehensive cost estimate and discuss the full pricing of your procedure during your consultation.
To learn more about the cost of your personalised arm lift, please contact us online or call +44 330 660 0979 to reach each of our offices.
FAQ
How long will it take to recover from an arm lift?
Recovery will differ from patient to patient, but you can expect to return to your career and other light activities after resting for approximately one to two weeks. You will need to continue avoiding strenuous or physically demanding activities until cleared to return.
Can Dr Fazel lift the arms with liposuction alone?
Not necessarily; liposuction does not address loose skin, it removes stubborn fat. Patients in need of a real lift will benefit more from an excisional procedure or a combined approach.
Will there be significant scarring after my arm lift?
Most surgical procedures result in some scarring; however, the length and position of your scar will depend on the amount of skin removed. If you undergo a short scar arm lift, your scar will be hidden within your armpit. For a traditional full arm lift, the scar will extend from under the armpit to above the elbow, and is placed along the underside of your arm. This scar will be more visible when your arms are raised, but many patients find the results to be well worth it!
How long will the results of an arm lift last?
The results of an arm lift will last for many years provided that the patient maintains a stable weight.
Do arm lifts have any risks?
As with any procedure, there are certain risks associated with the arm lift. These may include infection, poor scarring, unevenness, dissatisfaction with results, and more. Dr Fazel will discuss each risk and how he avoids them during your personal consultation.
References
- Nalin Nagrath, Winters R. Brachioplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/#article-145189.s5
- Boswell CB. Body Contouring Following Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2014;107(3):189. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6188338/