Arm Lift

An arm lift, called brachioplasty, is the surgical removal of fat and excess skin under the upper arm that resulted from aging or weight loss. As we age and/or after we lose weight, the tissues in the upper arm begin to sag, resulting in that “wave” problem when you lift your arm. Because it’s unattractive in short sleeves and swimwear, many men and women in the New York area choose an arm lift to eliminate the problem.

Good Candidates for an Arm Lift
A brachioplasty is an excellent option for healthy adult men or women who have loose, excess skin and tissues on the underside of the upper arm. At your private consultation at our Long Island plastic surgery office, Dr. Gerut will examine your area(s) of concern and review all the available options for treatment. Arm lift surgery requires general anesthesia, which Dr. Gerut will discuss with you at your consultation, along with information about the procedure, risks, and potential complications, so that you’re fully informed when you schedule your arm lift procedure.

How Arm Lift Surgery is Performed
An arm lift is an elective outpatient plastic surgery performed in Dr. Gerut’s accredited and licensed surgical suite in his office in Hewlett, Long Island. Plastic surgery patients benefit from the attention to detail and patient comfort and safety that result from Dr. Gerut’s many years with the same surgical team, which includes a board certified anesthesiologist.

After general anesthesia has been instituted, the arm lift incision will be placed either on the back of your upper arm, or inside your arm between the biceps and triceps muscles. If you have a large amount of excess skin, an additional incision in the armpit may also be recommended. This will have been decided in advance at your consultation.

After the initial incision, Dr. Gerut will perform liposuction to reduce the volume of the arm tissue. If a great deal of liposuction must be performed, it may be done in an initial, separate procedure and then, after you have recovered from that, the brachioplasty would be performed.

After excess tissues are removed, tiny sutures are inserted, and a drain, dressing and compressive arm garment will be placed.

Recovery from an Arm Lift Procedure
You will wear the compression garment at all times for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. You may shower the day after surgery, at which time you can resume light activities. The drainage tube will be removed in Dr. Gerut’s Long Island plastic surgery office a few days after surgery. The average patient requires medication for discomfort for 2-3 days following an arm lift procedure; we will give you prescriptions for these prior to your surgery. Once you no longer need medication for discomfort, you can return to driving and to work. Heavier activities, including exercise, may be resumed after 4-6 weeks.

Among body contouring procedures, the scars from arm lifts are, by necessity, more visible. However, in appropriate patients, the improvement in contour is life altering, particularly for men and women who feel uncomfortable or embarrassed wearing short sleeve or sleeveless shirts because of their sagging upper arms.

The results of brachioplasty can have a positive effect on the way you feel about yourself. If you’re concerned about sagging in your upper arms, board certified New York plastic surgeon Dr. Gerut is here to help you. Call us at 516-295-2100 or complete our online consultation form to learn how you can get the look you’ve always wanted!