Upper arm lipo before and after

Arm Lift aka Brachioplasty | Scottsdale, AZ

As we age or lose weight, our skin will lose elasticity. Many men and women struggle with loose skin on the underside of the upper arm. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Carlos Mata, a.k.a. Dr. Scottsdale® performs arm lifts, or Brachioplasty. There are different surgical procedures that lift, tighten and reshape the upper arm by removing excess skin and fat deposits without harming the muscle tone. We can provide patients in Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix, AZ with tighter upper arms that they won’t be afraid to show off in sleeveless shirts once healed.

Arm Lift Surgical Technique

Full Arm Lift a.k.a Brachioplasty

The goal of an arm lift / Brachioplasty is to remove and tighten the upper arm appearance. It removes what’s commonly called “bat wings” by surgical means. The length of the incision goes from the elbow to the armpit. At this time, the excess skin is trimmed, and, if any, excess fat can be removed. The surgery is done under deep sedation (breathing on your own). Ideal candidates are patients that have skin and/or fat excess on the upper arm. Recovery is from one to two weeks, but 6 weeks before exercising. The arm is placed in a compression garment for 4-6 weeks. Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery. Patients should keep the arm elevated to promote blood circulation and help with swelling. With proper care, the arm will return to normal function after several weeks.

Mini Arm Lift

This body contouring procedure re-sculpts the arm tissue and treats moderate saggy skin by removing a small amount of excess skin. It requires only a minor incision located in the armpit. Most of the time, Vaser Liposuction with Magic Tight® on the arm is recommended to give you the best results possible. The ideal patient is someone who has low to mild skin laxity. This procedure is only performed on patients with moderate skin laxity on the arms. One to two weeks is recommended for time off work. Exercising is not recommended for 6 weeks. A compression garment is needed after surgery. Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery.

Arm Lift Alternative

Can arm lipo give the same results as an arm lift?

Arm lipo removes fat while an arm lift treats the skin by removing it. So liposuction on its own will not give you the same results, because it’s not treating the same problem. A great alternative is the combination of Vaser Lipo & Magic Tight® (skin tightening device) because it will remove the extra fat and tighten the skin at the same time. So technically, it can help improve the overall appearance of the arms. BUT if you have mild to major skin laxity, this procedure will not give you the same results as an arm lift.

What About Scars After An Arm Lift?

Any patient who undergoes an operation where the skin is excised and incisions are made should understand that scarring is a part of the procedure, including Brachioplasty. Dr. Scottsdale® uses his scar knowledge from his military, and surgical techniques to ensure that the scar will be as minimal as possible. Our office also offers different types of scar treatments to make them less visible.
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Learn more about our scar treatment options

Revision Surgery

If you previously had an arm lift, but are unhappy with the results, Dr. Mata performs arm lift revision surgery. With many years of training and experience, Dr. Mata is skilled at not only performing arm lifts but revising the work of other surgeons so you can see the beautiful results you want. No matter where you had your original arm lift performed or how long it has been, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mata to learn more about your options for arm lift revision surgery.

Arm Lift FAQs

How do you fix batwing arms?

“Batwings” are the loose and flabby skin located under the upper arms. To fix batwing arms, an arm lift is recommended. Learn more

How much skin can be removed in an arm lift?

The amount of skin removal from an arm lift varies from patient to patient. It also depends on your starting point, and if liposuction is performed on your arms.

How do I know if I need an arm lift?

An arm lift is usually recommended to patients that had massive weight loss, or patients that have skin laxity on their upper arms.

Can I combined other procedures with an arm lift?

It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes referred to as an upper-body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and breast surgery (breast lift). During the consultation, each surgery will be discussed and recommendations will be made as to whether these procedures may be done at the same time.

Would I have contoured arms after my arm lift?

An arm lift is performed to remove hanging skin and fat. The only way to build actual muscle is through strength training. Following surgery, once the arms are fully healed, patients may begin weight training if they wish to do so. This is a great way to add shape to the arms by toning and strengthening them. Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise in order to avoid a recurring weight gain, which could compromise the surgical results.

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