Loose upper arm skin is most often related to weight loss. If you were overweight, you more than likely developed heavy upper arms.  To accommodate the increased volume of the upper arms, your skin stretched.  After weight loss, the skin often fails to tighten, and so it sags. The only way to improve this problem is through an arm lift or brachioplasty.

Brachioplasty can remove excess skin and fat to reduce the circumference of the upper arm. Surgical correction depends on the amount of extra skin and elasticity of the supporting tissues. Extra skin and fat are removed from incisions along the inner arm.

Dr. Katzen will discuss all aspects of the procedure with patients who want to tighten this arm skin and look as good as they feel.  In some cases, Dr. Katzen may suggest liposuction to remove excess fat in the upper arms.  However, when there is loose skin, this skin must be removed and an arm lift is the best choice.

To remove this loose skin, an incision is necessary.  There are three types of incisions: 1) crescent; 2) modified “T”; and 3) armpit to elbow. These incisions lift skin, remove excess fat and tighten arm ligaments. Upper arm lifts can also address folds in the skin on the side of the chest near the armpit.  Following the upper arm lift procedure, the skin is sutured closed.  As with all incisions, there is always a resulting scar.  With time, your scars will fade.  Typically scars are not readily noticeable.  Sometimes a pressure garment or elastic bandage is applied to promote healthy healing.  Dr. Katzen will discuss which procedure is right for you.  

Typically the upper arm lift takes about two hours.  If your surgery is needed for medical reasons, insurance may pay for a portion of the operation. Dr. Katzen will send your medical information to your insurance company for their determination.  His staff will spend a significant amount of time and effort to try to have your procedure covered by insurance.  In the end, however, the final decision is up to your insurance carrier.

Immediately following an upper arm lift, patients will have limited use of their arms.  Dr. Katzen discourages heavy lifting or extending your arms for the first week or two after surgery. Upper arm lift patients will return seven days after the procedure, and then again within two weeks for the removal of the sutures.  Bruising and swelling are to be expected. Medication will control the minimal pain and discomfort that patients usually experience.  Driving and exercise may be started after two weeks.

Upper arm lifts can produce dramatic results in arm contour and create a smoother look to the upper arm.  Dr. Katzen’s arm lifts increase skin tightness, reduce arm fat and create a more youthful appearance.