An arm lift, or brachioplasty, reshapes the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat that resist diet and exercise, often after significant weight loss or with age. The result is a firmer, more defined arm contour. Dr. Claire B. Davis, a board eligible plastic surgeon in Asheville, brings a surgeon’s understanding of upper-arm anatomy to every procedure. Schedule a consultation to explore your options.
Find out how brachioplasty can help you achieve firmer, more sculpted upper arms.
An arm lift involves incisions, tissue removal, and careful closure along the inner arm, where scar placement and healing demand precise technique. The quality of that surgical judgment shapes both safety and the refinement of your final contour.
Dr. Davis completed a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center and has extensive experience in body contouring procedures. Her selection to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society reflects a career grounded in clinical precision and careful judgment.
AAAASF-accredited facility — surgery performed in a setting built for safety, comfort, and privacy
Alpha Omega Alpha — academic distinction recognizing excellence in medicine
Body-contouring experience — UT Southwestern residency training applied to upper-arm anatomy
Female plastic surgeon — an understanding of patient concerns and natural, balanced results
Brachioplasty is a body-contouring procedure that addresses loose, sagging skin on the upper arms, sometimes described as a « batwing » appearance. Reduced skin elasticity from aging, genetics, or major weight loss leaves the upper arm draped with tissue that exercise alone cannot tighten.
During an arm lift, Dr. Davis removes excess skin, tightens the supportive tissue beneath it, and, when appropriate, uses liposuction to refine stubborn fat. The remaining skin is redraped smoothly along the upper arm for a firmer, more proportioned contour. Because the procedure removes tissue rather than simply tightening it, results are meaningful and lasting at a stable weight.
The right approach depends on how much loose skin is present. Patients with mild laxity may be candidates for a limited-incision brachioplasty, where a shorter incision is concealed within the armpit crease. More significant skin excess, often following major weight loss, generally calls for a traditional arm lift with a longer incision along the inner arm. Dr. Davis reviews these options with you so the plan matches your anatomy and scar preferences.
An arm lift offers practical and aesthetic advantages for patients bothered by upper-arm laxity.
By removing excess skin and refining contour, brachioplasty restores a firmer, more toned upper-arm shape that better reflects the work patients have put into their fitness and weight.
Loose upper-arm skin can chafe, trap moisture, and complicate clothing choices. Reducing that excess often improves day-to-day comfort and makes fitted sleeves and sleeveless styles feel more wearable.
For patients who have lost significant weight, an arm lift addresses the hanging skin that diet and exercise leave behind, completing a body-contouring journey that the scale alone cannot finish.
Dr. Davis approaches every arm lift with an eye for balanced, natural-looking proportion. At a stable weight, the improved contour is long-lasting, though individual results vary with anatomy and healing.
Brachioplasty suits many adults bothered by loose upper-arm skin, particularly after weight loss or with age-related changes. A consultation with Dr. Davis confirms whether the procedure fits your anatomy and goals.
You may be a good candidate if you:
A personal consultation determines candidacy and lets Dr. Davis assess your upper-arm anatomy and skin quality.
An arm lift is performed as an outpatient surgery and follows a clear sequence from planning through closure.
Arm lift recovery unfolds over several months, and realistic expectations help you plan. Swelling, bruising, and activity restrictions are a normal part of healing.
Expect soreness, swelling, and bruising in the upper arms, managed with prescribed medication. Rest is essential, and your arms are supported in a compression garment. Any drains and dressings are monitored closely.
Swelling and tightness continue as healing begins. Most patients arrange help at home and limit arm use. Drains, if placed, are typically removed during this period, and many patients return to desk work toward the end of the week.
Bruising fades and comfort improves, though the compression garment is still worn and strenuous activity and heavy lifting remain off-limits. Most patients gradually resume light daily activities during this phase.
Fuller activity, including lifting, typically resumes around six weeks, once Dr. Davis clears you. Swelling continues to settle and scars mature over three to six months. Follow-up visits confirm healing, and individual results vary with anatomy and weight stability.
Dr. Davis approaches brachioplasty with the same precision and respect for balanced proportion that define her surgical work. Her goal is a firmer, natural-looking arm contour that suits your frame, supported by a surgical plan shaped around your anatomy, skin quality, and goals.
Choosing a board eligible plastic surgeon trained at UT Southwestern Medical Center means your arm lift is guided by a thorough understanding of upper-arm anatomy and performed in an AAAASF-accredited facility. From your first consultation forward, the focus is a safe, individualized result.
Arm lift cost varies based on the extent of skin removal, whether liposuction is included, and the details of your individualized surgical plan. Dr. Davis provides a personalized quote during your consultation. Because brachioplasty is usually cosmetic, insurance typically does not cover it.
As with any surgery, arm lift risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, fluid accumulation (seroma), changes in sensation, and delayed wound healing. Dr. Davis reduces risk through careful technique and an AAAASF-accredited facility, and reviews these considerations fully during your consultation.
An arm lift is often part of a broader body-contouring plan, particularly after significant weight loss. Dr. Davis can discuss combinations during your consultation.
Pairing an arm lift with liposuction refines stubborn fat in nearby areas, supporting a smoother, more complete upper-body contour.
Combining an arm lift with a tummy tuck addresses loose abdominal skin alongside the arms, a common pairing for post-weight-loss patients.
For some patients, an arm lift complements a mommy makeover, addressing multiple areas within a coordinated surgical plan.
A consultation helps Dr. Davis sequence any combination safely around your goals.
Yes. An arm lift leaves a scar along the inner arm, the trade-off for removing excess skin. Dr. Davis places incisions to keep scarring as discreet as possible, and scars typically fade over the year following surgery, though they never disappear entirely.
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