Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Mr Olivier Amar - Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Arm lift surgery, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that reshapes the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat.
What is Arm Lift surgery?
Arm lift surgery helps to achieve more toned, defined arms when exercise and diet alone are not enough. In younger patients with firm skin that bounces back, liposuction alone may be sufficient to contour and sculpt the arms. If the arms are slim with little excess fat, but the skin is loose and crepey, surgical skin removal alone may be sufficient.
An arm lift can be customised to your specific needs through different surgical approaches:
- Liposuction-only technique for younger patients with good skin elasticity
- Combined liposuction and skin removal for arms with excess fat and looser skin
- Surgical skin removal for slim arms with crepey, loose skin
- Additional contouring around armpit and bra strap areas
My patients often tell me they do not have the confidence to wear short sleeves, gym-wear or a cocktail dress because of their arms. An arm lift is an effective treatment to help restore their self-esteem.
Your consultation
Whether meeting in person or remotely, your consultation with Mr Olivier Amar provides a comprehensive discussion of your hoped for goals and treatment options. To get the most out of your consultation, we recommend reviewing information about your area of interest beforehand.
During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will listen to your desired outcomes and goals, conduct a thorough assessment, present appropriate treatment options and explain procedures in detail. This will include a step-by-step surgical process, required preparation, recovery timeline, scar placement and management, anaesthesia options, and potential risks and complications.
A consultation ensures you receive comprehensive information about all options, and understand both benefits and limitations of proposed procedures. You will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish before you decide the next steps together, including the option to take no action.
Personalised Approach to body contouring
Mr Olivier Amar specialises in fat removal and body contouring treatments, carefully developing a tailored approach to help patients achieve their ideal body silhouette. By combining advanced techniques and precise targeting, Mr Olivier Amar aims to sculpt the body for a more refined silhouette that enhances your natural body shape.
Risks associated with surgery
Every surgical procedure, while performed with the utmost care and expertise, carries inherent risks. Mr Olivier Amar ensures all patients are fully informed about potential complications before proceeding with any treatment.
General surgical risks include post-operative infection, bleeding and haematoma formation, scarring and wound healing complications, and anaesthesia related complications. During your consultation, Mr Olivier Amar will provide detailed information about procedure specific risks, explain preventive measures and safety protocols, answer all questions about potential complications and provide you with all the information needed to make an informed decision.
Preparing for Your Surgery
All surgical procedures are teamwork between the surgeon and the patient. Just as a runner trains for a marathon, preparation is key for optimal recovery.
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
The day before surgery, our dedicated pre-assessment nursing team will reconfirm your admission time, review fasting requirements, address any last minute questions and provide final preparation instructions.
Type of anaesthesia
Arm lift surgery is performed under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA), a technique of anaesthesia which uses a combination of agents given exclusively via the intravenous route without the use of gas anaesthesia. This means you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure and wake immediately afterwards with a significantly reduced likelihood of feeling groggy or nauseous. The anaesthesia will be explained to you by your Anaesthetist during the preoperative consultation.
Having surgery under total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) allows you to go home the same day to rest and recuperate. Alternatively, we are happy to arrange the procedure at a hospital with an overnight stay facility, organise a nurse to stay with you overnight, or assist with local accommodation arrangements. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss your anaesthesia options and aftercare support in detail during your consultation.
Recovery Guide
Arm lift is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
You will wear a soft, compression garment for 2-4 weeks to help with skin retraction, reduce swelling and support the healing process. Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 7-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 4 weeks.
Aftercare Information
At your first post-operative appointment with the nurse, scheduled 2-3 days after surgery, incision sites will be reviewed and dressings changed. You will return for an appointment with the nurse at 14 days, at this point your incision sites will be reviewed again, stitches removed and initial healing will be assessed. At six weeks after surgery, Mr Olivier Amar will evaluate your overall healing and give you next steps to follow.
It is your responsibility to attend all scheduled appointments. Failing to attend appointments or follow post-operative instructions may impact your results and final outcome. Regular monitoring ensures optimal healing progression and early detection of complications. Mr Olivier Amar will discuss the post-operative schedule in detail during your consultation.
Scar placement and management
During arm lift surgery with skin removal, an incision will be made along the inner arm. Any liposuction scars are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the armpit or on the back of the elbow. As a leading London based cosmetic surgeon, Mr Olivier Amar specialises in advanced scar management and prevention techniques. Leading up to your surgery or as part of your post-surgical care, a scar management protocol may be initiated using steroid injections and silicone dressings. A treatment course of Aerolase Neo laser is recommended post-surgery.
The Aerolase Neo laser treatment offers significant benefits for scar improvement:
- Stimulates natural collagen production
- Reduces scar pigmentation
- Improves skin texture and appearance
- Softens scar tissue
- Promotes tissue remodelling
- Accelerates bruise healing
Maintaining your results
The initial results can be seen immediately after surgery. You can expect progressive improvement during healing, with natural skin retraction and continued body contouring refinement. The result of arm lift surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months. A combination of wearing the compression garment, dieting and exercise is key to a good result, however a good candidate for this procedure is someone who has realistic expectations and good overall health.
What are the benefits of Arm Lift surgery?
Each arm lift procedure is tailored to the individual patients needs, involving liposuction alone or a more comprehensive approach combining liposuction and skin removal. The procedure can:
- Address age related skin sagging with long lasting results
- Remove loose skin caused by significant weight changes that exercise cannot fix
- Eliminate stubborn fat deposits resistant to traditional weight loss methods
- Create more proportionate, toned arm contours
- Improve clothing fit and arm appearance
Is Arm lift surgery right for you?
Arm lift surgery may be a good solution for individuals experiencing:
- Persistent upper arm sagging despite exercise
- Loss of skin elasticity due to aging
- Loose, excess skin following weight loss
- Disproportionate arm appearance affecting your confidence
- Limited success with non-surgical alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arm Lift surgery?
Arm lift surgery helps to achieve more toned, defined arms when exercise and diet alone are not enough. In younger patients with firm skin that bounces back, liposuction alone may be sufficient to contour and sculpt the arms. If the arms are slim with little excess fat, but the skin is loose and crepey, surgical skin removal alone may be sufficient.
Am I suitable for arm lift surgery?
Arm lift surgery may be a good solution for individuals experiencing:
- Persistent upper arm sagging despite exercise
- Loss of skin elasticity due to aging
- Loose, excess skin following weight loss
- Disproportionate arm appearance affecting your confidence
- Limited success with non-surgical alternatives
Which areas can be treated by arm lift surgery?
An arm lift focuses on the upper arm area, but adjacent areas of fat deposits and excess skin can also be treated at the same time. These include:
- The shoulder
- Armpit
- Back
- Breast
- Forearms
- Back of the elbow
What are the various techniques for arm lift surgery?
An arm lift can be customised to your specific needs through different surgical approaches:
- Liposuction-only technique for younger patients with good skin elasticity
- Combined liposuction and skin removal for arms with excess fat and looser skin
- Surgical skin removal for slim arms with crepey, loose skin
- Additional contouring around armpit and bra strap areas
How long does arm lift surgery take?
Arm lift surgery can take between 1-2 hours.
How should I prepare for surgery?
From the time you book the procedure ensure you maintain regular, gentle exercise, follow a balanced, nutritious diet, ensure adequate sleep and rest, and manage stress levels effectively. Alcohol consumption should be reduced and smoking stopped or minimised. If a patient feels prepared for surgery, they will arrive for their procedure feeling positive which in turn will reduce any anxiety and encourage stress free recovery.
Will I have to wear a garment after arm lift surgery?
To support recovery during the healing period and your overall result you may need to wear a soft, elastic, compression garment for between two and four weeks. The garment is easy to hide under clothes and helps with skin retraction and to reduce swelling as the surgical area is healing.
Where will the incisions be positioned?
During arm lift surgery with skin removal, an incision will be made along the inner arm. Any liposuction scars are typically minimal and strategically placed in discreet locations like the armpit or on the back of the elbow.
Is arm lift surgery painful?
Arm lift is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure. As a result, there is minimal downtime required. Immediately post-surgery you can expect to experience mild pain and discomfort which can be managed by a pain killer prescription, provided on the day of surgery by your anaesthetist, if required. Bruising typically resolves within 10-20 days.
When can I return to exercise after surgery?
Depending on the type of daily activities, you should be able to resume daily activities within 7-10 days and return to gentle exercise after approximately 4 weeks.
When will I see the results?
The initial results can be seen immediately after surgery. You can expect progressive improvement during healing, with natural skin retraction and continued body contouring refinement. The result of arm lift surgery can be best appreciated after 3-6 months.
A combination of wearing the compression garment, dieting and exercise is key to a good result, however a good candidate for this procedure is someone who has realistic expectations and good overall health.
Meet Mr Olivier Amar – Leading Plastic Surgeon in Chelsea, London
Mr Olivier Amar is a renowned London-based consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon specialising in face, breast and body surgery, advanced non-surgical facial rejuvenation, hair loss treatments and regenerative medicine. With over 15 years of experience, Mr Olivier Amar has earned a reputation among both patients and peers alike for transforming cosmetic surgery into an art form.
“Cosmetic surgery is a demanding profession and patient expectations are high. But I am a doctor first and a surgeon second. My only concern is the patient in front of me, fulfilling their needs and managing their expectations. My work is intense; it means everything to me and is my lifelong passion.”
Mr Amar’s commitment to precision and refinement extends through every aspect of patient care, from initial consultation to post-operative support. All treatments take place at his private practice in Chelsea, London. Working alongside Mr Amar is a highly skilled team of dedicated nurses, experienced anaesthetists from leading NHS and private hospitals, and specialised management staff. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive, world-class care for all patients.
How can I compliment my overall result?
Renuvion treatment
When fat removal is a priority and skin laxity is a concern, the combination of Renuvion J Plasma and liposuction gives great results.
read
Aerolase Neo laser treatment
Aerolase Neo laser treatment can be performed 4-6 weeks after surgery to support healing, to help flatten scars and reduce redness and thickness.
