Arm Lift in Orange County

The upper arm has a tendency to collect fat, contributing to a saggy appearance. This can be caused by the aging process, weight fluctuations, and even genetics. Fortunately, there is a safe, effective body contouring procedure to remove excess fat and hanging skin in the upper arm.

woman in black bathing suit laying on beach

Woman Leaning against wall with arm raised up

What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses skin laxity and fat pockets in the upper arm area.¹ Because a drooping upper arm occurs mainly due to loose skin, not muscle loss, this issue cannot be corrected through diet, strength training, and/or exercise; however, an arm lift in Orange County can eliminate the excess fat and skin to create a smoother, tighter upper arm.

Before & After Arm Lift

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What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?

Arm lift patients enjoy a range of benefits, including the following:

Contoured, more toned and proportionate arms
Elimination of unwanted skin and fat
Tighter, firmer skin on the upper arms
Tighter, more sculpted under-arm tissue
More ease and comfort due to a lack of irritation from skin rubbing
No more hygiene concerns in the area around the arms
Removing loose skin on the upper arms after significant weight loss
Improved self-esteem and confidence

Candidates For Arm Lift Surgery

A good candidate for an arm lift in Orange County includes adults who:²

Have a substantial amount of excess sagging skin on their upper arms.
Are healthy and do not have a medical condition that may impair the healing process or increase their risk of surgery.
Have a positive, realistic outlook about their arm lift results.
Are not considerably overweight and have maintained a relatively stable weight for some time.

Preparing For Arm Lift Surgery

Your arm lift with Dr. Esmailian will begin with a consultation. This will allow him to examine your arms and determine how much tissue needs to be excised. During this time, you and he will discuss:

What you would like to accomplish with your arm lift.
Medical history, past surgical procedures, medical treatments, and drug allergies.
If you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, your weight loss has stabilized during the past three months.

Dr. Esmailian will also:

Perform a detailed examination and discuss the entire procedure in detail.
Discuss the surgical plan and which arm lift technique, mini or full, would provide the optimal results.
Lay out a follow-up and recovery plan to help you achieve the best possible scar from your arm lift.

The Arm Lift Procedure

Once everything is agreed upon, treatment can begin. The first step in an arm lift is the application of an anesthetic. In some cases, your arm lift can be done with local anesthetic, which means you won’t be unconscious. In certain cases, Dr. Esmailian will recommend general anesthesia for maximum comfort during the operation. Once an anesthetic is applied, treatment begins with an incision on the underarm, extending from the armpit to the elbow.

The length and shape of the incision are determined by how much tissue will be removed. This aspect of your treatment will be fully discussed ahead of time. After the incisions are made, Dr. Esmailian proceeds by removing underlying tissue that has become excessive and tightening the remainder with sutures. The upper arm skin is then draped over the new arm contours, allowing Dr. Esmailian to remove the proper amount of excess skin. Once this is done, the skin is closed using advanced techniques that minimize any resultant scar.

The arm lift procedure usually takes approximately two hours; however, patients who undergo multiple procedures simultaneously (liposuction, etc.) will remain in the operating room longer. Arm lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, and patients are generally in the recovery room for 1 to 1 ½ hours before discharge. For this reason, patients are required to bring a licensed driver to the facility on the day of their brachioplasty procedure.

In addition, patients should ask someone they trust to stay with them on the night of their arm lift procedure. Following your brachioplasty procedure, you may expect to experience slight discomfort. You will also have some swelling and minimal bruising, which is common following arm lift surgery. Usually, swelling peaks within two or three days after your surgery. Swelling may be reduced by using pillows to elevate your arm. This also increases your comfort level as you recover.

Arm Lift Recovery & Results

Following your brachioplasty surgery in Orange County, Dr. Esmailian will apply bandages or dressings to your incision site. He will apply a compression garment to reduce swelling and place a small, thin tube under the skin. This tube allows excess fluid or blood to drain from the incision site. This drainage tube is usually removed in 5-7 days. You may shower 48 hours after surgery and reapply the compression wrap daily. The surgical tapes are removed at approximately two weeks, and a compression sleeve may be used instead of the compression wrap. It’s important to avoid strenuous activity for at least four weeks, and patients may resume full activity after four weeks of recovery time.

Maintaining a stable weight and staying physically fit post-surgery will ensure that your arm lift surgery results are long-lasting. Remember that as you age, losing some firmness in your arms is natural; however, most of the improvements achieved during your arm lift are permanent.

Schedule A Consultation

Dr. Farbod Esmailian is a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. He is passionate about helping patients improve their quality of life by performing the most modern, effective procedures. Dr. Esmailian has earned a reputation in Orange County, California, and beyond for patient satisfaction and beautiful, natural-looking results that highlight the attractive qualities patients inherently possess.

FAQs About Arm Lift

Will there be scars?

Does insurance cover an arm lift?

How can I prepare for arm lift surgery?

When can I start exercising after surgery?

Can I combine an arm lift with another procedure?

Will there be scars?

There will be scarring after an arm lift, but these are placed as inconspicuously as possible, and the scars fade well.

Does insurance cover an arm lift?

In the majority of cases, insurance will not cover an arm lift. However, patients with limited arm function due to the severity of excess skin may find that insurance will help cover the cost.³

How can I prepare for arm lift surgery?

Within several weeks of your surgery, stop smoking and taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, and have a medical exam to ensure you are in good health.

When can I start exercising after surgery?

Light exercise may be resumed after two weeks, but more vigorous exercise should be avoided for four to six weeks, and your arms are fully healed.

Can I combine an arm lift with another procedure?

An arm lift can be combined with a thigh lift, liposuction, a tummy tuck, a breast augmentation, and other procedures to provide overall physical enhancement.

¹ ASPS. Arm Lift. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/arm-lift. Accessed August 30, 2024.
² ASPS. Who is a good candidate for arm lift surgery? https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/arm-lift/candidates#. Accessed August 30, 2024.
³ Cleveland Clinic. Brachioplasty (Arm Lift). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23367-brachioplasty-arm-lift. Accessed August 30, 2024.

Page updated: September 12, 2024