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Excess skin or fat along the upper arm is one of the most common, and most frustrating, body image concerns our patients face. No matter how much you diet or exercise, loose or sagging skin in this area often won’t resolve on its own, leaving many people feeling self-conscious in sleeveless clothing or swimwear. Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) offers a lasting solution, helping you achieve firmer, more toned-looking arms and renewed confidence in your appearance.
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When Diet and Exercise Aren't Enough
Despite dieting and multiple arm exercises, some patients feel like they are stuck with either heavy or saggy upper arms (or both). Embarrassment can prevent some of these people from wearing short sleeved shirts, sleeveless clothing or bathing suits which can be a particular hardship in warmer areas like the deserts of Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. In more severe cases, these patients are prone to frequent rashes and excessive sweating.
Receive a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Cohen or Dr. Sigalove to learn more about arm lifts. Our plastic surgery facility is conveniently located for women and men living in Tempe, Paradise Valley and other areas of Greater Phoenix.
Upper Arm Lift Plastic Surgery Near Phoenix
We treat problems of the upper arm in different ways depending on the nature of the problem. In patients who have firm, healthy, elastic upper arm skin, our plastic surgeons use liposuction cosmetic surgery in Scottsdale to carefully sculpt and reduce the size of the upper arms to match the lower arm. Once the excess fat is removed, the skin shrinks to the fit the slimmer arm underneath. A good analogy for these patients is that of a water balloon, where the balloon represents the skin, and the water represents the fat. As more water (fat) is removed, the balloon (skin) easily shrinks to fit the volume that is left. When requested by patients, we can frequently perform liposuction of the upper arms simultaneously with liposuction of other body areas or with other plastic surgery procedures.
Lower Arm Lift Plastic Surgery
Some patients have loose, sagging skin under their arms, which they sometimes refer to as “bat wings” or “Bingo wings”. This looseness of the skin can occur either as a result of time and gravity, genetically weaker skin, or most often as a result of significant weight loss. These patients cannot simply be treated with liposuction because when the skin is already loose, removing more fat will actually worsen the appearance of the arms. As opposed to the “water-balloon” people, patients with loose skin are more analogous to a plastic sandwich baggy filled with water. As you remove the water (fat), the sandwich baggy (skin) becomes looser and more wrinkled.
Before & After
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)
*Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.
Case #732
Provider: Dr. Sigalove
This is a 60 year old patient who presented to my
Scottsdale practice following massive weight loss. She was not happy with the appearance of her arms, noting severe skin laxity and arm droopiness. She stated that she would not even wear sleeveless shirts given her loose skin. We discussed bilateral brachioplasties as a surgical correction of her… Read More
Case #267
Provider: Dr. Cohen
This is a 51 year old female from the Scottsdale, Arizona area who visited my medical practice regarding arm lift surgery. This patient had lost a significant amount of weight and was very unhappy with the loose, excess skin of her upper arms. She would never wear short sleeve shirts because she was too self-conscious about the… Read More
Case #73
Provider: Dr. Cohen
This is a 63 year old female from the Surprise, Arizona area who visited my Scottsdale, Arizona area medical practice regarding arm lift surgery. This patient had lost well over 100 pounds after a gastric bypass procedure, and was very unhappy with the loose, excess skin of her upper arms. She would never wear short sleeve shirts… Read More
Case #313
Provider: Dr. Cohen
This is a 41 year old female from the Phoenix, Arizona area who visited my medical practice regarding arm lift surgery. This patient had lost a significant amount of weight and was very unhappy with the loose, excess skin of her upper arms. She would hardly wear short sleeve shirts because she was too self-conscious about the appearance of… Read More
See More Before & Afters
Combining Procedures
Brachioplasty can be performed alone, in conjunction with liposuction for patients with heavier arms, or in combination with other aesthetic procedures like breast lifts or tummy tucks for patients interested in a mommy makeover. Whether we perform liposuction or a brachioplasty cosmetic surgery in Scottsdale, our goal as board-certified plastic surgeons is to give patients slimmer, more attractive upper arms.
As a result, they can start wearing the sleeveless shirts and bathing suits that would have made them self-conscious prior to surgery. If you are interested in learning more about what to expect during the recovery process following an arm lift, we encourage you to read our Post-Op FAQ (frequently asked questions) about post-operative issues such as care for incisions, time away from work, and ability to engage in exercise and other activities.
Reshaping the Upper Arms
To properly reshape the arms in people with loose skin, your surgeon will tailor the skin to fit the underlying arm by surgically removing excess skin and fat. This procedure is called a “brachioplasty” (arm lift). This results in a scar that runs from the armpit to the elbow and is hidden when your arm is at your side. In exchange for the scar, all the excess skin is removed resulting in a tight, firm, youthful appearing arm. Patients that have this surgery are usually extremely happy and feel the scar (which usually fades nicely over time) is well worth the improvement in their arm contours. Many of these patients finally feel comfortable wearing sleeveless clothes for the first time in many years.
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Treatment
Designed specifically for our surgical patients, our VIP Skincare Program offers exclusive promotions to enhance your recovery. Get special rates for our most sought-after aesthetic treatments, expertly curated to minimize swelling, accelerate healing, and mitigate scarring. Take your recovery to the next level. Schedule your surgery today to take advantage of the VIP Skincare Program.
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Take the Next Step
Click here to receive a cosmetic consultation, or call to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Robert Cohen or Dr. Steven Sigalove. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about arm lift procedures. The Scottsdale Center for Plastic Surgery welcomes patients from all over Arizona, as well as other states and countries. Our facility serves Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley.
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Every great result starts with a conversation. Meet with our board-certified surgeons to explore your options and take the first step toward the results you’re after.
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