Loose, sagging skin on the inner upper arms, often called bat wings, is one of the most common concerns among patients who have experienced significant weight loss or the natural effects of aging. This excess skin cannot be toned through exercise and is difficult to conceal. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Wentworth, serving Webster, TX and the greater Houston area, provides arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) with an emphasis on natural-looking, well-healed results that help patients feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.
What Causes Loose Upper Arm Skin?
Loose upper arm skin develops when the skin has been stretched over time, due to weight gain, aging, or significant hormonal changes, and then loses the elasticity needed to retract. The inner upper arm is particularly susceptible because the skin in this area is thin and has limited structural support. After major weight loss, the loss of subcutaneous fat volume exacerbates the degree of sagging.
What Is an Arm Lift?
Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, typically from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow. The result is a firmer, more toned arm contour. The incision is placed on the inner surface of the upper arm, where it is concealed when the arms rest at the sides. In patients with minimal excess skin, a mini arm lift with a shorter scar limited to the axillary area may be appropriate.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity that has not responded to exercise
- Patients who have lost substantial weight and have excess inner arm skin as a result
- Individuals at or near their goal weight and in stable overall health
- Non-smokers, or patients willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- Patients with realistic expectations about the degree of improvement and the presence of a scar
A key element of candidacy is realistic scar expectations. All arm lifts leave a scar on the inner arm, and while this scar typically heals well and becomes less visible over time, it is permanent. Most patients find the improved contour is a worthwhile trade-off for a well-placed scar that is not visible when the arms are at rest.
Liposuction and the Arm Lift
In patients with excess fat in addition to excess skin, liposuction may be performed at the same time as the arm lift to remove stubborn fat deposits and refine the arm contour. Dr. Wentworth will assess whether liposuction is an appropriate addition during the consultation.
The Surgical Procedure
Arm lift surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and takes approximately one to two hours. Dr. Wentworth places the incision carefully on the inner arm and closes it in multiple layers to support healing and optimize scar quality.
Recovery From Arm Lift Surgery
Most patients take one to two weeks off work following an arm lift. Swelling, bruising, and tightness in the arms are expected during this period. Compression garments are worn for four to six weeks to support healing. Strenuous activity, lifting, and reaching overhead are restricted for four to six weeks.
Final arm contour results are visible at three to six months once swelling has fully resolved. Scars are typically pink and visible in the early months but soften and fade significantly over twelve to eighteen months with proper scar care.
Combining With Other Body Contouring Procedures
Arm lift surgery is frequently combined with other body contouring procedures as part of a comprehensive post-weight-loss plan. Common combinations include tummy tuck, thigh lift, or breast lift. Dr. Wentworth will discuss the safest and most effective sequencing or combination for your specific goals and health status.
Dr. Wentworth provides arm lift surgery to patients in Webster, League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Houston, and the surrounding Southeast Texas area. To find out if you’re a candidate, schedule a consultation at Wentworth Plastic Surgery.CONTACT DR. MONICA WENTWORTH FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about Dr. Wentworth and the treatments and procedures she performs please click here or call us at 713-702-7114.