American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons

or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community

or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Arm Lift

Brachioplasty

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, reshapes the under portion of the upper arm from the underarm region to the elbow.

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Before & After Photos

What are the risks of arm lift surgery?

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you'll have to decide if the benefits, risks and potential complications of arm lift surgery are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure.

Arm lift surgery risks include:

Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles
Fatty tissue under the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Fluid accumulation (seroma)
Infection
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Pain, which may persist
Poor wound healing
Possible need for revisional surgery
Sutures may not absorb, but spontaneously surface through the skin, causing irritation, drainage and redness
Unsightly scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Next: Preparation

Latest Blogs

Solutions for toning the upper arms: Arm lifts, skin tightening and more Ariel Frankeny
The arms are an area many people become self-conscious about. You've almost certainly heard of the term "bat wings" – the loose, sagging skin that hangs from your upper arms. Some people are so concerned about it that they won't wear certain shirts that expose their arms.
Bat wings begone: How an arm lift can help you look your best Alia Willson
What you need to know about arm lifts Shahram Salemy, MD, FACS

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Latest Videos

Arm Lift Results
"An arm lift is usually a removal of skin that's overhanging or extra skin along the inside of the upper arm. It's a very dramatic result to remove that excess skin and any extra tissue there, especially for patients who have significant weight loss prior to having the procedure."
PS Snippets: Arm Lift

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