Upper Arm Lift Surgery

In most cases, your upper arm surgery will take place in an outpatient setting, unless multiple plastic surgeries are to be performed at the same time. An arm lift can be done with other procedures (usually performed in an inpatient setting for monitoring), including a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or mommy makeover — if Dr. Vinyard decides it is safe. An upper arm lift is usually performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure that takes several hours to complete. The skin will be surgically removed through an incision that starts at the elbow and continues to the underarm. The incision will be made to be as hidden as possible, but it will become a visible scar. If liposuction is wanted to remove stubborn pockets of fat, this will be performed as well. Once the skin is tightened, it will be sutured together. You will need to keep the incisions cleaned, covered, and supported with compression garments.

Your recovery period may last an estimated two weeks with lots of rest while elevating your arms. Give yourself time to heal. You use your arms for many things, so patients should slowly make their way back into their daily routines. If needed, a suture removal appointment will be scheduled about ten days after surgery. Compression garments should be worn until you are released by Dr. Vinyard. For at least one month, all exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided, with the exception of frequent, short walks. If you have excessive swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, hematoma (fluid buildup), infection, loss of feeling in the arms or hands, or heavy scarring, please call VIPS for answers.

The total cost for an arm lift will depend on many factors. Before he can determine your costs, Dr. Vinyard will perform a consultation to listen to your concerns and goals. Following this, he can create your unique surgical plan and estimate your costs. To make it easier to choose a skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Vinyard and get your best results, VIPS accepts many payment methods. 

We do not directly finance any procedure. You may also want to research options through your bank of choice. We also accept all major credit cards including VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.find low-interest financing.

It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes known as an upper body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), or breast surgery (breast lift). An arm lift is also commonly included as part of an after weight loss surgery for patients who have lost a large amount of weight and want full body contouring. During your consultation with Dr. Vinyard, complementary surgeries can be discussed so your personal surgical plan matches all your needs and goals.

A surgical arm lift needs incisions to cut away excess skin, which means there will be scars from sutures. However, Dr. Vinyard makes every effort to place the small incisions in inconspicuous areas. After your surgery, ointments to assist in scar healing will be recommended along with other tips for scar care management. Dr. Vinyard also recommends you avoid sun exposure during the first year to protect the scar from becoming discolored. Most patients believe the benefits of toned arms outweigh the appearance of scars.

A surgical arm lift is used to treat hanging skin and small amounts of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet to avoid a dramatic change in your weight, which might undo your results. Following your lift, once your arms are fully healed and Dr. Vinyard has authorized it, you can begin weight training. This is a great way to add shape to your arms by toning the muscles.

While there are a lot of nonsurgical skin tightening options, most will only provide mild improvements. To correct moderate to severe amounts of loose skin, arm lift surgery is your real option. Dr. Vinyard can also liposuction small amounts of fat under the remaining skin and tissue for a pleasing result. If you are interested in nonsurgical procedures, Dr. Vinyard can tell you about all possible treatments during your consultation and help you decide.