(916) 242-2662 Request Appointment
mature woman in swimsuit with slender arms
Home  /  Body /  Upper Arm Lift

Arm Lift Surgery for Toned, Sculpted Arms

small logo
Go ahead, go sleeveless!
Home  /  Body /  Upper Arm Lift

joyful middle-aged woman feeling confident with arm on hip woman posing with slender arms

An Arm Lift, or Brachioplasty, removes excess, sagging skin and fat from the upper arms for a firmer, more proportionate contour. At Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery, every Arm Lift is performed by Christa Clark, MD, FACS, a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon known for natural-looking results. Most patients return to light activity within one to two weeks and resume exercise in four to six weeks, with long-lasting results when they maintain a stable weight.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An Arm Lift, or Brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess, sagging skin and fat from the upper arms, restoring a firmer, more proportionate contour. This loose skin often develops with age, genetics, or after major weight loss, when skin that has stretched beyond its natural elasticity can no longer shrink back on its own.

If you have hesitated to go sleeveless because of your arms, you are not alone. At Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery, Christa Clark, MD, FACS welcomes patients from Granite Bay and Sacramento. Patients also come to us from Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and beyond, all telling us the same thing: diet and exercise reshaped their bodies, but their arms never quite caught up. We hear you, and we are here to help you feel authentically you, only more confident in your own skin.

Arm Lift has grown steadily in popularity nationwide, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2024 report, with upper arm lifts growing 2 percent year over year, part of a broader trend of rising interest in lifts and body contouring after weight loss.

confident woman in swimwear showing off slender arms

What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?

Choosing an Arm Lift can offer both physical and emotional benefits. Here is what our patients tell us they notice most:

  • Removal of excess, hanging skin that can cause chafing or irritation
  • A more toned, slender, and proportionate upper arm contour
  • The freedom to wear short sleeves, sleeveless tops, and fitted clothing with confidence
  • A lasting boost in self-esteem and body image

A clinical review published in NCBI’s StatPearls reports that most patients have high satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional results of an Arm Lift, and many tell us the confidence boost carries into everyday life.

Who Is a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

During your consultation, we will review your health history and goals together to confirm an Arm Lift is right for you. Generally, good candidates:

  • Are bothered by loose, sagging skin on the upper arms
  • Are at a stable, healthy weight
  • Do not have a medical condition that could slow healing
  • Do not smoke or use nicotine products. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and significantly slows wound healing, according to research from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • Understand and accept that an Arm Lift leaves a permanent, though well-concealed, scar

Request an Appointment

What Happens During Arm Lift Surgery?

We perform every Arm Lift in our private, AAAASF-accredited surgery center. You will be under general anesthesia, administered by a Board-Certified MD anesthesiologist, for a safe and comfortable experience throughout.

Dr. Clark selects your incision technique based on how much excess skin you have. Patients with mild laxity near the armpit may be candidates for a shorter, limited-scar approach. Patients with more extensive skin, extending from the armpit to the elbow, need a longer incision. Dr. Clark places it along the inside or back of the arm.

Dr. Clark removes the excess skin, tightens the underlying tissue, and may add Liposuction to refine stubborn fat pockets before closing your incisions.

arm lift incision graphic

What Is Recovery Like After an Arm Lift?

You will wear compression garments to control swelling and support your new contour while you heal. Most patients return to light, non-strenuous work within one to two weeks.

You can typically resume driving once you are off prescription pain medication and have regained full arm mobility, usually around the two-week mark. Plan to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for four to six weeks so your results can set properly.

Arm Lift scars can take 12 to 18 months to fully soften and flatten, longer than scars in most other areas of the body, according to a clinical overview of Brachioplasty in NCBI’s StatPearls. With sun protection and consistent scar care, most patients see significant fading over that time.

What Are the Risks of Arm Lift Surgery?

Every surgery carries some risk. Potential complications include infection, bleeding, slow wound healing, changes in skin sensation, or a scar that heals less favorably than expected.

We walk you through these risks during your consultation and explain exactly how our team works to minimize them. Individual results vary, and we will never promise an outcome we cannot support.

Arm Lift Before & After

bna case
bna case
View Our Full Patient Gallery
fit woman body in underwear

Complementary Procedures for Total Body Contouring

Many patients pair an Arm Lift with another body procedure to address more than one area during a single recovery. Here is how each of these procedures complements Brachioplasty.

Liposuction

Liposuction is worth considering if your arms carry extra fat but the skin itself has held its elasticity. It sculpts a slimmer contour without an incision, and many patients pair it with an Arm Lift for a fully refined result.

Body Contouring After Weight Loss

Losing a significant amount of weight rarely affects just one area. Our Body Contouring After Weight Loss program builds a single recovery plan around an Arm Lift and whichever other areas, like your abdomen, thighs, or chest, need it most.

Tummy Tuck

A Tummy Tuck addresses the midsection the same way an Arm Lift addresses the arms: by removing excess skin and tightening the muscle underneath for a flatter, firmer profile.

Mommy Makeover

For patients rebuilding their body after pregnancy, a Mommy Makeover folds an Arm Lift into a larger plan that can include breast and abdominal procedures, tailored to what you want to restore.

Patient Stories

We are proud of the relationships we build with our patients and the results we help them achieve.

 

“I cannot say enough amazing things about Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery and Dr. Christa Clark. Over the past 10 months, I have had both a Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) and an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), and both experiences exceeded every expectation I had. The results are absolutely incredible. My scars are barely noticeable, recovery went smoothly for both surgeries, and the outcomes have been life-changing.” -Joanne M., Google Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It's been 6 months since my surgery by Dr. Clark and I am so happy and thrilled with my results. I have no regrets, and I can't say enough good things about Dr. Clark and her entire staff. The process was easy and comfortable, and Dr. Clark is definitely a talented surgeon.” - Sarah S., Google Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Dr. Clark is absolutely amazing. She listens and truly cares about what you want and what you are looking for, then provides the best advice. She and her entire team care about you like family. I am having more procedures done and I will not go anywhere else.” - Heather A., Google Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read What Our Patients Have to Say
Dr. Clark

Meet Dr. Christa Clark

Dr. Christa Clark founded Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery and performs every breast and body procedure at our practice, including Arm Lift surgery. She is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, with 25+ years of medical experience and nearly two decades in private practice.

Dr. Clark has helped thousands of men and women achieve naturally beautiful results. Patients know her for a friend-to-friend communication style paired with meticulous surgical technique.

When you choose Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery, our top-notch surgeons and aesthetic services team are 100 percent committed to your safety, satisfaction, and success. We perform your surgery in our private, AAAASF-accredited surgical center and build a treatment plan around your anatomy and your goals, so you leave feeling like the most authentically confident version of yourself.

logo

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an Arm Lift leaves a permanent scar. Dr. Clark places the incision along the inside or back of the arm so it is far less visible when your arms rest at your sides. With proper scar care, most scars fade significantly within a year or two.

The skin and fat removed during your Arm Lift will not return. Your results last long term, though natural aging and future weight changes can affect your contour. A stable weight and healthy routine help preserve your results for years.

You are under general anesthesia during surgery, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Expect soreness, swelling, and tightness for the first week or two, which prescribed medication can help manage comfortably.

Short, light walks starting the day after surgery support healthy circulation. Save strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and anything that raises your heart rate for at least four to six weeks. We will clear you for more vigorous activity at your follow-up appointments.

Arm Lift surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure, so insurance does not usually cover it. Our team can walk you through your financing and payment options during your appointment.

Granite Bay Lobby

Request Your Appointment

Ready to feel confident in your own skin again? We welcome patients from Granite Bay, Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, and El Dorado Hills.

Contact Us

By submitting this form you consent to receive phone calls, text messages and emails from Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery. It is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services. You can opt out at any time, message/data rates may apply, and opting-in includes acceptance of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Communications through this website or via email are not encrypted and are not necessarily secure. Use of the internet or email is for your convenience only, and by using them, you assume the risk of unauthorized use.

I agree to the Terms of Use

The content on this site has been medically reviewed by the doctors at Granite Bay Cosmetic Surgery.

1 ASPS 2024 Plastic Surgery Statistics. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/interest-in-aesthetic-health-remained-consistent-despite-economic-uncertainty-in-2024-according-to-new-report-from-american-society-of-plastic-surgeons

2Brachioplasty. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/

3Cosmetic Surgery May Help Patients Quit Smoking. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/cosmetic-surgery-may-help-patients-quit-smoking