Patients who present with upper arm excess often complain of feeling like they have "bat wings". Most often these patients had been overweight and have lost a significant amount of weight leading to a deflation of the upper arm. An arm lift, also known as Brachiaplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove loose skin and excess fat deposits in the upper arm. Also with aging, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby.

Who is the ideal candidate for Brachiaplasty?

The ideal candidate for the arm reduction technique, or the Brachiaplasty, is someone who has bat wings with minimal to moderate fat remaining in the upper arms. If the upper arms still retain a significant amount of fat when the patient presents to us, then we must deflate them with a preliminary liposuction procedure, where the fat is suctioned out through small incisions and the arm is allowed to heal for about 6 months. The second procedure is identical to what would be performed if the patient presented with minimal to moderate fat. More Brichioplasty Facts...

How is the procedure performed?

An incision is made along the underside of the upper arm, in the most inconspicuous place, and unwanted skin and tissue are carefully removed to reveal the more natural contour of the arms. Liposuction may be employed during the arm lift to accentuate your results. More Brichioplasty Facts...

What are the complications?

As with any surgery, complications can and do occur. The patient should weigh these risks with the benefits before proceeding with surgery. Those risks include, but are not limited to infection, bleeding, bad scarring, temporary and permanent numbness, temporary and permanent swelling or lymphedema, wounds coming apart, seromas or fluid collections, possible need for revisions, nerve compression causing difficulty with movement of the arm and hand, and possible need for skin grafting. More Brichioplasty Facts...

On Average, what is the cost of an Arm Lift?

In 2002, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported an average cost of $2,978. More Brichioplasty Facts...

Disclaimer:
This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.