Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is an aesthetic surgery procedure designed to correct excess skin and, if necessary, excess fat on the inner upper arms. It is suited to individuals presenting with significant skin laxity — often following substantial weight loss or due to ageing — who wish to improve the arm contour for a more harmonious and natural appearance.

Common motivations include difficulty wearing certain clothing, aesthetic concerns, and the desire for better bodily proportion. The surgical goal is to achieve a firmer, more harmonious arm silhouette while respecting individual proportions. This information is intended for general guidance and does not replace a personalised medical consultation.

Main Techniques

• Classic brachioplasty with longitudinal incision: incision along the inner arm, extending from the axilla to the elbow depending on the degree of laxity. Allows significant removal of skin and reshaping of the area. Advantages: marked correction of laxity. Limitations: longer scar; requires appropriate healing and follow-up.
• Limited brachioplasty / axillary incision: scar located primarily in the axilla, suited to mild to moderate laxity. Advantages: less visible scar on the arm. Limitations: less correction than a long incision.
• Liposuction alone: indicated when the problem is essentially one of fat excess without major skin laxity. Reduces volume but does not correct significant skin laxity.
• Combined techniques: liposuction combined with skin excision. Frequently used when the skin is distended but fat removal is also desired.

Specifics, Advantages, and Limitations

• The chosen technique depends on the clinical examination, skin quality, location of excess, and patient expectations.
• The greater the laxity, the longer the scar may be; "short" techniques are less visible but provide limited results in cases of major skin excess.
• Personalisation of the technique is paramount for a natural result.

Pre-operative Consultation

Process

• Medical history: motivations, past medical history, recent weight loss, smoking, current medications.
• Clinical examination: skin quality, location and extent of skin and fat excess, measurements, and pre-operative photographs.
• Discussion of suitable surgical options (full brachioplasty, limited incision, liposuction) and the advantages/limitations of each technique.
• Information on anaesthesia, type of hospitalisation (day surgery or short hospital stay), and the surgical procedure.
• Provision of a detailed written quote and informed consent.

Reflection Period and Formalities

• The mandatory 15-day reflection period applies before any aesthetic surgery. An anaesthesiologist appointment is arranged before the procedure.
• Additional tests (blood panel, electrocardiogram in some cases) may be requested.

Procedure

General Framework

• Anaesthesia: generally general, sometimes loco-regional combined with sedation depending on the situation.
• Duration: variable, generally between 1 and 3 hours depending on the extent of the procedure.
• Hospitalisation: day surgery (same-day discharge) or short hospital stay (one night) depending on the intervention and general condition.

Main Steps

• Pre-operative markings in the standing position.
• Anaesthesia and patient positioning.
• Possible liposuction beforehand for further contouring.
• Excision of skin excess according to the planned markings.
• Precise layered closure, with possible drains depending on practice.
• Compressive dressing and application of a compression sleeve.

Safety and Traceability

• Operative report, photographs, and medical follow-up documented.
• Compliance with safety protocols, thromboembolic risk prevention, and antibiotic prophylaxis if necessary.

Post-operative Recovery

Typical Evolution

• Moderate pain treated by prescribed analgesics.
• Swelling (oedema) and bruising for a few days to weeks.
• Wearing a compression sleeve generally recommended for 4 to 6 weeks to limit swelling and support healing.
• Dressings and suture monitoring: suture removal depending on the technique used (often between 10 and 21 days).

Indicative Timelines

• Return to work: generally 7 to 21 days depending on professional activity and extent of the procedure.
• Physical activities: progressive resumption after 4 to 8 weeks, intensive activities from 6 to 8 weeks with medical approval.
• Driving: to be discussed depending on comfort and analgesic use.

Medical Monitoring

• Regular check-up appointments to monitor healing, swelling, and to detect any complications.

Results and Limitations

Result Evolution

• Improvement in arm contour visible quickly, with the definitive appearance becoming clearer over several months.
• Healing evolves over 12 to 18 months: scars fade progressively but remain visible.
• The result depends on skin quality, age, weight, and lifestyle. Individual variations are to be expected.

Durability and Follow-up

• Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle (physical activity, non-smoking) contributes to the durability of the result.
• Revisions may be considered for an unsightly scar or asymmetry, but will be discussed depending on timing and progress.

Risks and Complications

General Risks

• Haematoma, infection, delayed healing.
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (preventive measures taken before and after surgery).
• Anaesthetic reactions (rare).

Specific Risks of Brachioplasty

• Visible, hypertrophic, or keloid scars.
• Residual asymmetry.
• Cutaneous sensory disturbance (numbness), often transient, sometimes lasting.
• Fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma).
• Rare skin necrosis, favoured by smoking or poor local vascularity.

These risks remain rare and will be individualised and explained during the consultation.

Alternatives and Non-surgical Options

Non-surgical Options

• Skin remodelling treatments (radiofrequency, ultrasound, lasers): can provide modest improvement of skin firmness for mild laxity, but their results are limited in cases of significant skin excess.
• Cryolipolysis or medical lipolysis: locally reduce fat but do not address significant skin laxity.
• Rehabilitation and muscle strengthening: useful for tone but insufficient if skin excess is major.

Indications and Limitations

• For very distended skin, only surgery (skin excision) provides satisfactory and lasting correction.
• Non-invasive alternatives may be offered to patients who do not wish to undergo surgery or as a complement to conservative measures.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Will my scars be visible? Yes, brachioplasty leaves scars whose length depends on the chosen technique. They fade progressively over 12–18 months but generally remain perceptible. The scar placement is planned to achieve the best possible position given the individual's anatomy and clothing habits.

Is the procedure painful? Pain is usually moderate and well controlled by prescribed analgesics. Some discomfort and a feeling of tension are common in the first few days.

Can liposuction be combined with arm lift? Yes. Liposuction is often combined when excess includes a fatty component. It allows results to be refined and the contour improved.