Arm Lift Surgery
(Brachioplasty)
Loose, sagging skin on the upper arms is one of the most frustrating things exercise cannot fix. Brachioplasty removes the excess skin and reshapes the arm from the underarm to just above the elbow, restoring a contour that feels proportionate and confident.
Is arm lift surgery right for you?
Upper arm skin can become loose after aging, significant weight loss, or because of inherited tissue characteristics. Exercise can strengthen the underlying muscle but cannot remove substantial excess skin.[1] If any of the following describes you, brachioplasty may be the right solution.
After weight loss
Patients who have lost significant weight, including through GLP-1 medications or bariatric surgery, are among the most common candidates. The skin often cannot keep up with the body's new shape.
Age-related laxity
Skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity over time. Even patients at a healthy weight can develop loose, drooping skin on the underside of the upper arm that no amount of exercise will address.
Genetics and body type
Some patients carry excess skin or fat in the upper arm regardless of their overall weight. If this is a concern that has persisted through all your efforts, surgery is likely the only effective option.
Loose skin and excess fat are different problems.
If the main concern is localized upper-arm fat and the skin still has enough elasticity to contract around a smaller volume, liposuction may be considered. If the dominant problem is hanging or redundant skin, liposuction alone cannot remove that skin.[2]
Some patients have both skin excess and fat, so brachioplasty and liposuction may be combined when the surgical plan supports it. Incision length and location depend on where the excess tissue sits and how much must be removed.[3]
The useful question is not “Which procedure is better?” It is “Is the contour problem mostly skin, mostly fat, or both?” Explore liposuction at Adonis if fat reduction is part of what you are considering.
What happens during brachioplasty.
At Adonis, brachioplasty is planned as an outpatient operation and commonly takes about 2 to 3 hours, although operative time varies with the extent of skin removal and whether liposuction is added. Incisions are generally placed along the inner or back portion of the upper arm and may extend from the underarm toward the elbow depending on the amount and location of excess skin. Excess tissue is removed, supportive tissue is reshaped, and liposuction may be added when appropriate.[3]
Your surgeon will assess the degree of skin laxity and fat distribution during your consultation and recommend the technique that gives you the cleanest, most natural result.
Consultation
Your surgeon evaluates your arms, discusses your goals, and designs a customized surgical plan. You will receive a full quote with no hidden fees.
Anesthesia
Your anesthesia plan is confirmed before surgery and monitored by the anesthesia team. The appropriate approach is selected for your operation and medical needs.
Incision and reshaping
Excess skin and fat are removed. The underlying tissue is tightened and the arm is contoured from the armpit to just above the elbow.
Closure and dressing
Incisions are closed, the arms are wrapped, and you go home the same day with detailed aftercare instructions.
Ready to find out if arm lift surgery is right for you?
REQUEST MY CONSULTATIONBefore and after brachioplasty at Adonis.
Real Adonis patient results from brachioplasty performed by board-certified plastic surgeons at our QUAD A-accredited facility in Torrance. Case-specific technique, incision pattern, liposuction, and healing differ from patient to patient.
Individual results vary. Photos are shared with patient consent. Results depend on skin quality, extent of tissue removal, and individual healing.
When comparing arm-lift photographs, look beyond whether the arm is simply smaller. Scar placement, contour smoothness, symmetry, and proportion all matter. See our guide to comparing arm lift results.
The scar is permanent. Its placement and maturation matter.
Brachioplasty creates a permanent incision scar. The length and exact location depend on how much skin must be removed and where that skin is concentrated. Incisions are commonly placed along the inner or back portion of the upper arm and may extend from the underarm toward the elbow.[3]
Early scars may look pink, firm, raised, or darker than the surrounding skin before changing over the following months. Scar visibility varies with anatomy, skin tone, genetics, wound tension, and individual healing. Brachioplasty studies identify unfavorable or widened scarring as one of the meaningful trade-offs that should be discussed before surgery.[7]
Your surgeon will review likely incision placement before surgery and provide postoperative scar-care instructions. Adonis patients also have access to preferred pricing on eligible scar-treatment services for 12 months after surgery.
What to expect after surgery.
Recovery varies with the extent of skin removal, whether liposuction was added, your work demands, and individual healing. Dressings and compression may be used, and activity returns progressively according to your surgeon’s instructions.[4]
Rest and elevation
Swelling and tightness are normal. Keep arms elevated when resting. Pain is managed with prescribed medication.
Back to desk work
Many patients can return to sedentary work within roughly 1 to 2 weeks, depending on discomfort, wound healing, commute, and how much arm use the job requires. Compression may continue as directed.
Light activity resumes
Walking and light daily activity usually increase gradually. Lifting, repetitive arm use, and exercise remain restricted until your surgeon clears them.
Full results visible
The contour continues to refine as swelling decreases. Scar maturation lasts much longer than the initial activity-recovery period.
Arm lift care close to home, from consultation through follow-up.
Adonis Plastic Surgery is a QUAD A-accredited outpatient surgical facility at 2557 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505. Arm lift consultations, surgical planning, surgery-day care, and postoperative follow-up are coordinated through the Torrance practice.
We serve patients throughout the South Bay, including Torrance, Redondo Beach, Lomita, Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Harbor City, San Pedro, Gardena, Carson, and Manhattan Beach. For brachioplasty, practical recovery planning matters because routine tasks such as driving, lifting, reaching, dressing, and carrying objects can temporarily depend on how your arms are healing.
Pricing and financing.
Arm lift pricing is based on the extent of tissue removal, whether liposuction is combined, and your individual anatomy. We provide a full itemized quote at your consultation with no hidden fees.
Brachioplasty in Los Angeles
$8,500 – $14,000All-in estimate including surgeon fee, anesthesia, facility, and follow-up care. Final pricing confirmed at consultation based on your specific needs.
Financing available
We proudly offer Cherry financing — apply in minutes with no hard credit pull. We also accept CareCredit, Affirm, Klarna, and AfterPay. Many patients cover their procedure with manageable monthly payments.
VIEW PAYMENT PLANSCommon questions.
Am I a good candidate for brachioplasty?
Good candidates generally have meaningful upper-arm skin laxity, are in reasonably good health, have a relatively stable weight, do not smoke, and understand that the improvement comes with a permanent scar. Your surgeon evaluates whether the concern is mainly skin, fat, or both before recommending surgery.[1]
Which surgeons perform arm lift at Adonis Plastic Surgery?
Arm lift surgery at Adonis is performed by Dr. Joshua Y. Jacobson and Dr. Shana S. Kalaria. Both are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Jacobson medically reviewed this page.
Can arm liposuction replace an arm lift?
It depends on the tissue causing the contour concern. Liposuction can reduce localized fat, but it does not remove a large amount of loose or hanging skin. When both fat and skin excess are present, liposuction may be combined with brachioplasty if the surgical plan supports it.
Can brachioplasty be combined with other procedures?
Sometimes. Arm lift may be combined with liposuction or coordinated as part of a broader body-contouring plan after major weight loss. Whether procedures should be combined or staged depends on overall operative time, medical risk, anatomy, and recovery demands.
How visible is the arm lift scar?
The scar is permanent, and its length depends on the amount and location of skin being removed. Incisions are commonly placed along the inner or back surface of the upper arm. Scar appearance changes over time, but visibility varies by skin biology and healing; unfavorable scarring is a recognized brachioplasty risk.[5][7]
What are the risks of arm lift surgery?
Potential risks include bleeding, infection, seroma, poor wound healing, numbness or altered sensation, injury to deeper structures, unfavorable scarring, anesthesia-related complications, and the possibility of revision. Your surgeon reviews the risks that apply to your health and operative plan before consent.[5]
How long do arm lift results last?
The contour improvement can be long-lasting, particularly when weight remains relatively stable. Aging and future weight changes can still affect the remaining skin and tissue over time.[6]
Is arm lift surgery covered by insurance?
Brachioplasty performed for cosmetic contouring is generally not covered by health insurance. Coverage rules vary when a separate medically necessary condition is involved, so patients should confirm benefits and requirements directly with their insurer rather than assuming coverage.
What is the difference between a mini arm lift and a full brachioplasty?
A limited-incision approach may be considered when laxity is concentrated near the underarm, while more extensive skin excess usually requires a longer incision extending farther down the upper arm. There is no single incision pattern that is right for every patient; the amount and location of excess tissue guide the plan.[8]
Where is arm lift surgery performed at Adonis?
Adonis Plastic Surgery is a QUAD A-accredited outpatient surgical facility at 2557 Pacific Coast Highway in Torrance, California 90505. Surgical planning and postoperative follow-up are coordinated through the Torrance practice.
Clinical information reviewed against independent medical sources.
This page was medically reviewed by Joshua Y. Jacobson, MD, an American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon, on September 10, 2026. The sources below support the general educational information about candidacy, procedure planning, recovery, results, scarring, and surgical risk. They do not replace individualized medical advice.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
PubMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine
PubMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Joshua Y. Jacobson, MD · ASPS profile
Ready to see what is possible?
Bring your questions, concerns, and goals. One of our board-certified plastic surgeons will evaluate your anatomy, candidacy, scar trade-offs, expected recovery, and available options, then provide a clear surgical recommendation and detailed quote before you decide whether to move forward.
Arm Lift Surgery in Torrance
Brachioplasty reshapes and tightens the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat that diet and exercise cannot address. At Adonis Plastic Surgery in Torrance, our board-certified surgeons perform arm lift surgery in an AAAASF-accredited facility with results that are natural, proportionate, and lasting.