Temporary swelling, bruising, and tightness are expected as the arms heal and adjust. Early contour improvements are visible, with continued refinement as swelling resolves.
What to Expect
An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is a body contouring surgical procedure that reshapes the entire upper arm, reducing both excess sagging skin and overall fat excess as well that droops downward. At Spiro Plastic Surgery, Dr. Spiro often combines liposuction with brachioplasty procedures to tighten and smooth the underlying tissue and define the shape of the upper arm.
With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Spiro creates a high-definition effect that reveals anatomic muscular contours of the arm from triceps, biceps, and deltoids, helping patients feel confident in their skin again.
Results Gallery
Arm Lift Before & After
Please take a look at our arm lift (brachioplasty) before and after gallery to see our patients’ transformative results after recovery!
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Discover a personalized plan built around your features, goals, and long-term outcomes. Your consultation is a focused, one-on-one conversation designed to bring clarity, guide decisions, and outline the most appropriate approach for you.
Arm Lift Overview
Activities involving lifting, reaching, or upper-body strain should be introduced gradually within 2 weeks. Lifting restrictions are typically in place for 4 to 6 weeks.
Most patients are fully cleared for return to normal activities at 6 to 8 weeks
Incision placement depends on the degree of correction and improves gradually over time. Most are thin and fade and become significantly less noticeable after 1 to 2 years.
Arm Lift Surgery Candidates
Ideal candidates for arm lift surgery are women or men who have lost a significant amount of weight or had weight loss surgery that has caused a sagging appearance in the upper arms. Generally, arm lift candidates include:
- Adults with significant upper arm skin sagging and drooping
- Adults who are not overweight and maintain a relatively stable weight
- Adults who do not have other medical conditions that increase the risk of surgery or impair healing
- Non-smokers
How to Prepare for Arm Lift Surgery
In order to prepare for arm lift surgery, Dr. Spiro may ask you to do the following:
- Adjust your current medications,
- Avoid over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or herbal supplements
- Get additional lab testing, such as basic blood tests or an electrocardiogram
- Arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery
If you smoke, vape, use any nicotine, cannabinoid, and/or ADHD medication, you must be willing to stop for several weeks before and after your surgery.
Types of Incisions
There are three types of incisions Dr. Spiro can make, depending on the amount and location of excess skin that needs to be removed.
Generally, Dr. Spiro make incisions on the inside of the arm or the back of the arm, but there may be some cases where he makes an incision from the underarm to just above the elbow. Once he makes the incision, he’ll remove the excess skin and tighten the underlying tissue, reshaping it with internal sutures. Before closing the incision, Dr. Spiro, smooths your skin over the new contours of your arms.
Arm Lift Recovery Timeline
It takes two to three weeks to recover from arm lift surgery.
In the first few days, you’ll want to avoid lifting your arms above your shoulders for three weeks and avoid physical activities with your arms for four weeks after surgery. Once you have fully recovered, the results of your arm lift procedure will reveal a more toned appearance in your upper arms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is brachioplasty the same as arm liposuction?
A brachioplasty and arm liposuction are related but not interchangeable. Some patients need one procedure, while others benefit from both, because fullness and loose skin affect the upper arm in different ways:
- Arm liposuction reduces stubborn fullness and unwanted fat in the upper arm. It works best when the skin has enough elasticity to settle around a slimmer contour.
- A brachioplasty removes loose or hanging skin from the upper arm. Dr. Spiro recommends this when stretched skin affects the arm’s shape from the armpit toward the elbow.
During a consultation for brachioplasty in New Jersey, Dr. Spiro assesses which concerns come from excess fat and which relate to skin laxity. If both factors contribute to the arm’s shape, combining procedures allows him to address each issue comprehensively for the most refined results.
For many patients, that complete approach creates an arm shape they feel more comfortable showing through fitted clothing, in sleeveless styles, or during everyday movement.
A brachioplasty does involve an incision, so patients should expect a scar. What makes Dr. Spiro’s scar placement favorable is how he plans that incision. He typically positions the scar along the middle of the back of the upper arm, where it stays less visible when patients lift or move their arms.
During a consultation for brachioplasty in New Jersey, Dr. Spiro shows patients how this scar placement can work with their arm shape and the amount of loose skin present. He explains what the incision may look like, where it is likely to sit, and how this approach can create a slimmer-looking arm while keeping the scar more discreet.
A brachioplasty can also be part of a complete upper body lift. When appropriate, Dr. Spiro coordinates arm contouring with his auto augmentation dermoglandular breast lift. The breasts, sides, and arms often change together, and connecting these incisions can create a smoother, more continuous result.
Scar care also matters, because the healing period affects how the incision settles over time. Following Dr. Spiro’s post-operative instructions—keeping the area clean, protecting the skin from direct sun exposure, and avoiding strenuous activity—supports proper healing and lowers the risk of irritation or infection while the incision is still fragile.
A proportional arm lift creates smoother, more defined upper arm contours that still match a patient’s shoulders, torso, and overall body shape.
During a brachioplasty in New Jersey, Dr. Spiro uses his decades of surgical experience and artistic vision to plan skin removal and liposuction that complement the patient’s natural arm shape, so the arms look smoother without becoming too thin or out of balance.
A brachioplasty can create more defined-looking upper arms by removing loose skin that hides the arm’s natural shape. When appropriate, Dr. Spiro may also use arm liposuction to reduce excess fat.
This procedure does not change the arm muscles themselves. Instead, it focuses on the skin and, in some cases, the fat above the muscle, which can make existing muscle tone easier to see. Only exercise can build muscle mass, strength, and tone.
During a consultation for brachioplasty in New Jersey, Dr. Spiro explains that surgery refines the arm’s outer shape rather than changing the muscle underneath. This conversation gives patients a realistic understanding of what the procedure can accomplish.
Patient Experiences
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Reflections Series #2 | Oil Painting on Hardboard | Dr. Scott Spiro
