Arm Lift in Sydney

Weight fluctuations, genetics and the passage of time can contribute to loose skin in the upper arms. While exercise and diet can help reduce fat and improve skin quality and muscle definition to an extent, they often fall short of eliminating stretched skin, stubborn localised fat and loose underlying tissues.

If you have drooping skin and fat in your upper arms, you may benefit from arm lift surgery.

WHAT IS AN ARM LIFT?

Arm lift surgery, medically known as brachioplasty, is a body contouring plastic surgery procedure that improves the contours of the upper arms. This procedure can reduce excess skin and fat from the elbow to the armpit, and it can tighten the underlying tissues for tighter, smoother arms that appear more toned and proportionate to the rest of your body.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BRACHIOPLASTY?

If you have significant laxity in your upper arms and are in overall good health, you may qualify for brachioplasty.

ARM LIFT CANDIDATE AGE

This procedure can be performed on adult patients of any age. Most arm lift patients are over the age of 40, but younger patients who have achieved significant weight loss or have loose arm tissue due to genetics are also potential candidates.

ARM LIFT CANDIDATE WEIGHT

You should be at a healthy, stable weight to undergo brachioplasty. While you don’t necessarily need to be at your ideal weight for this procedure, we don’t recommend undergoing arm lift surgery if you are significantly overweight or obese.

Having significant excess weight imposes increased risks and potential issues with healing, as it would with any surgery. In addition, you may not achieve satisfactory brachioplasty results if you have substantial weight that could be lost with diet and exercise before surgery.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR ARM LIFT CONSULTATION

At your brachioplasty consultation, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Ellis Choy will evaluate your medical history and determine if you are an eligible candidate for the procedure. He will review your goals for arm lift surgery and help you set realistic expectations for what can be achieved. Dr Choy will also explain the brachioplasty procedure steps and recovery processes to you in detail and answer any questions you may have.

ARM LIFT PROCEDURE STEPS

WHERE ARE THE INCISIONS MADE FOR ARM LIFT SURGERY?

The incision will be placed on either the underside or backside of the upper arm. This placement will vary depending on your goals and your surgeon’s recommendations. The length of the incision will be based on the extent of tissue removal needed; it may range from several centimetres to the entire length of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow.

ARM FAT REMOVAL

Liposuction techniques may be used if you have excess fat bulges that need to be removed from the arms. This involves a cannula (hollow tube) that dislodges and removes the fat using suction technology.

TIGHTENING AND CONTOURING THE ARM TISSUES

Once unwanted fat is removed, the underlying tissues are tightened and reshaped using internal sutures.

SKIN REMOVAL

After the underlying arm tissues are tightened, the skin is pulled tight and smoothly draped over them so it is no longer wrinkled or hanging. Any excess skin is surgically cut (excised) to remove it, and the edges are stitched together to secure them in place.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER AN ARM LIFT?

BANDAGES AND COMPRESSION GARMENTS

After surgery, your arms will have bandages and compression garments over them to protect and help them heal. We will remove your bandages a few days after your procedure when you come in for your post-surgery appointment. You should continue wearing your arm compression garments for three to six weeks after surgery, as it will help reduce swelling and improve your arm lift results.

RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS

Like any surgical procedure, an arm lift does involve some risks and side effects. After surgery, you may experience bruising, swelling, pain and numbness in the arms. These side effects are normal and can last for several days or weeks. Potential complications include infection, scarring, blood clots, tissue damage and more. During your consultation, Dr Choy will carefully review the risks and side effects of treatment with you and take steps to reduce the likelihood of complications.

ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS

Do not lift your arms above shoulder level for a few weeks after your surgery, and don’t engage in activities that involve strenuous use or stretching of your arms for several weeks. Be careful to avoid putting any tension on your incisions until they are fully healed, as stretching or pulling on your incisions can prevent them from healing well and may cause more visible scars.

Click here to view our arm lift before and after photos

HOW LONG DOES AN ARM LIFT LAST?

The skin and fat removed from your arms will be gone permanently, and your tighter arm contours can be long lasting if you follow a healthy lifestyle and maintain a stable weight. This procedure cannot stop the ageing process, and some tissue laxity may reoccur years down the line. 

WHY CHOOSE SPECIALIST PLASTIC SURGEON DR ELLIS CHOY?

Dr Ellis Choy is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who utilises the latest, most innovative techniques. He is passionate about providing a positive experience and personalised results for his patients.

Dr Choy has extensive training and experience and belongs to multiple prestigious plastic surgery organisations. In addition to being a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Dr Choy is a member of the following societies:

• The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
• The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)
• The International Confederation of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS)
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

ACHIEVE FIRMER, TIGHTER UPPER ARMS WITH ARM LIFT SURGERY IN SYDNEY

At their Northbridge facility near Sydney central business district, Dr Ellis Choy and his team look forward to helping you achieve more slender, toned arm contours.

Please call (02) 8962 9388 or fill out our contact form to meet with Dr Choy.

*The information about arm lift was reviewed by Dr Ellis Choy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Making an Informed Decision

Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant decision that should be made only after careful consideration of all aspects involved, including the potential risks and complications.

General Risks and Complications

There are general risks and complications that apply to most plastic surgery procedures. These are discussed in detail on our Risks and Complications page.

Specific Risks and Complications

In addition to those that apply generally to plastic surgery, each individual procedure comes with its own specific risks and complications. For arm lift procedures, these include:

• Temporary or permanent changes in skin sensation
• Temporary or permanent changes in skin colour
• Uneven texture, dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Excessive scarring
• Asymmetrical appearance or shape in arm contours
• Disruption of blood supply to skin or underlying tissues

Next Steps

Request a consultation with Dr Choy for a detailed discussion of these considerations. Dr Choy will conduct a thorough risk assessment based on your individual factors and outline the measures that can be taken to minimise these risks. He and his team are here to support your decision-making process, providing all the information you need to make well-informed choices about your care.