Merchant City Medical Group offers surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, from our state of the art clinics throughout the UK & Europe.

Professional Arm Lift Surgery

If loose or sagging skin on your upper arms affects your confidence, an arm lift (brachioplasty) can help restore a firmer, more contoured appearance. This procedure addresses excess skin and fat caused by aging, weight loss, or genetics. At Merchant Group Medical, Dr Will Anderson, a GMC Specialist Register Consultant Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience since 2008, provides personalised treatments to help patients achieve smoother, more toned arms.

ARRANGE A CONSULTATION

Procedure overview

TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC

General

LENGTH OF SURGERY

2 Hours

HOSPITAL STAY

0 – 1 day

RECOVERY

2–3 weeks off work, 6 weeks before strenuous exercise

Procedure types

There are two main options for arm lift surgery, depending on the amount of excess skin and fat and the quality of your skin:

Liposuction is ideal for patients with fatty tissue but minimal excess skin and good skin elasticity, allowing the skin to retract naturally after fat removal. It is less effective when there is significant loose skin or poor skin quality.

For patients with excess skin or reduced elasticity, surgical removal of skin and fat is the most effective option. While this does result in scars, they are usually positioned toward the back of the arms and are not noticeable when the arms are at rest. Understanding the nature of the scarring is essential before proceeding with this surgery.

VIEW BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

What are the risks?

Arm reduction (brachioplasty) surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. While most patients recover without serious problems, all surgery carries some risk.

Very common after surgery and usually takes 2–3 weeks to subside.

Small areas of the wound may take longer to heal, sometimes requiring dressings for several weeks.

Scars are permanent. The length and quality of scarring are the main downside of arm lift surgery. Scars typically take 2–3 years to fully mature, and a small number of patients may experience poor scarring.

Patches of numbness on the inner arm are common. Most improve over time, though small areas may remain permanently numb.

Minor differences between arms are common.

Some residual skin may remain, or in rare cases, too much skin removal can affect healing. The surgeon aims for the optimal balance.

Relatively uncommon and usually treated with antibiotics.

A collection of blood may form and occasionally requires a return to theatre to drain it.

 

A small number of patients may need additional surgery to address complications or unsatisfactory results.

Rare but include deep vein thrombosis (1–2 in 100 patients), pulmonary embolism (less than 1 in 100 patients, rarely fatal), and chest infection. The overall risk of a serious adverse outcome from planned general anaesthesia is approximately 1 in 100,000.

Arm Lift Aftercare

Your surgeon will provide personalised post-operative care instructions. You will have a follow-up appointment one week after surgery for your outer dressings to be removed.

Further Reading


Information about arm lift from British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)

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Excellence Record

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Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire

It can be used as a screening questionnaire to tell whether you might have BDD.

1) How often do you do you deliberately check your feature(s)? Not accidentally catch sight of it. Please include looking at your feature in a mirror or other reflective surfaces like a shop window or looking at it directly or feeling it with your fingers.
2) To what extent do you feel your feature(s) are currently ugly, unattractive or ‘not right’?
3) To what extent does your feature(s) currently cause you a lot of distress?
4) How often does your feature(s) currently lead you to avoid situations or activities?
5) To what extent does your feature(s) currently preoccupy you? That is, you think about it a lot and it is hard to stop thinking about it?
6) If you have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on your relationship with an existing partner? (e.g. affectionate feelings, number of arguments, enjoying activities together). If you do not have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on dating or developing a relationship?
7) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your ability to work or study, or your role as a homemaker? (Please rate this even if you are not working or studying: we are interested in your ability to work or study.)
8) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your social life? (with other people, e.g. parties, pubs, clubs, outings, visits, home entertainment)
9) To what extent, do you feel your appearance is the most important aspect of who you are?

Do I have BDD?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

You have scored 0

When you score more than 40 points, this is an indication that you likely have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. However, this is not a formal diagnosis. This test can also be used after a treatment to see if symptoms have improved.

What now?

For more information on BDD and support, you can contact us.

If you are a UK resident, we suggest:

    • reaching out to your GP for more help
    • self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.

When speaking to a health professional, you may present your clinic history or a printed form to clearly outline the symptoms you’ve experienced.