Arm Lift
Look Good, Feel Better
Loose upper-arm skin has a way of choosing your clothes before you do. It can remain after major weight loss or develop as skin loses elasticity with age, moving independently of the stronger arm underneath. An arm lift in Dallas allows Dr. Joseph Kelling to remove that hanging skin and create a cleaner contour from the underarm toward the elbow, so your arms feel easier to dress and more connected to the rest of your shape.
Beyond the Bat Wings
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms. The remaining skin is tightened over the underlying supportive tissue to create a smoother arm contour after weight loss, aging, or changes in skin quality.
Dr. Kelling adjusts the arm lift procedure to the amount and location of skin excess. A mini arm lift may use a limited incision near the underarm, while a full arm lift treats more of the inner arm.
Putting The Long Sleeves Away
Arm lift surgery addresses tissue that exercise and weight loss cannot tighten, including:
From Armpit to Elbow
The inner arm is the main treatment area for a full arm lift. The incision commonly extends from the underarm toward the elbow so Dr. Kelling can remove excess sagging skin across the entire upper arm.
A mini arm lift treats limited loose skin concentrated near the armpit. This shorter-incision approach works for select patients whose skin quality remains firm through the rest of the arm.
Massive weight loss patients may have excess tissue extending beyond the arm into the side of the chest. In these cases, the incision may continue toward the chest wall for a smoother transition between areas.
Shape That Matches Your Strength
An arm lift reshapes the skin envelope surrounding the underlying muscles, allowing the upper arm to look firmer and better defined.
Before You Raise a Hand
Arm lift candidates have loose upper-arm skin that will not retract after reaching a healthy weight. You should be in good health, maintain a stable weight, avoid nicotine, and understand that improved contour comes with a visible inner-arm scar.
Liposuction may be more appropriate when excess fat is present, but the skin remains firm. Dr. Kelling may recommend waiting if your weight is still changing or if smoking, uncontrolled medical conditions, or certain medications could interfere with healing.
A Strong Start at Home
Dr. Kelling and his team will help you prepare well before surgery. You’ll complete any required testing, stop nicotine within the recommended timeframe, and adjust medications when medically appropriate. Arrange transportation and help at home, since reaching overhead and lifting will be difficult during the first week. Place everyday items within easy reach and have loose, front-opening clothing ready.
The Shape Under the Skin
Dr. Kelling usually performs arm lift surgery under general anesthesia at a fully accredited surgical facility.
A full arm lift uses a longer incision to achieve greater correction. Limited-incision arm lift surgery may be appropriate when loose skin is confined to the underarm.
Take the Weight Off
Most patients return to desk work and light social activity within one to two weeks. Swelling, bruising, and tightness are most noticeable during the first several days.
Walking begins soon after surgery, but reaching, pushing, pulling, and heavy lifting remain restricted. Most patients resume normal activity over four to six weeks with Dr. Kelling’s clearance.
A compression garment supports the arms as swelling subsides. The contour becomes clearer during the first month, while residual swelling and scar firmness may continue improving for several months.
Keep the surgical site clean, wear compression as directed, and avoid stretching the incisions. Protect scars from sun exposure, since UV light can cause lasting discoloration during the healing process.
Worth Showing Off
Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Immediately | A smaller, smoother upper-arm contour |
| 1–2 weeks | Bruising and early swelling improve |
| 4–6 weeks | Most activity restrictions are lifted |
| 2–3 months | The arms feel softer and more natural |
| 6–18 months | Scars continue flattening and fading |
Arm lift results can last for many years. The removed skin does not return, although future weight fluctuations and the aging process can affect the remaining skin. Patients maintain their results best by staying near a healthy, stable weight.
A full arm lift usually creates a scar from the underarm toward the elbow area. Dr. Kelling places the incision along the inner or posterior arm to make it less visible when your arms rest at your sides. A mini arm lift leaves a shorter scar near the underarm.
Arm lift scars may remain pink, firm, or raised during early healing. They soften and fade over time, but they do not disappear completely. Genetics, skin quality, tension, sun exposure, and aftercare all influence the final appearance. Wide scars may require additional treatment or revision in some patients.
Procedure | Best Suited For | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Full arm lift | Moderate to severe hanging skin | Longer inner-arm scar |
| Mini arm lift | Limited skin excess near the underarm | Cannot tighten the entire arm |
| Localized excess fat with firm skin | Does not remove loose skin | |
| Non-surgical skin tightening | Mild skin laxity | More subtle correction |
Looking Beyond the Upper Arms
An arm lift may be included in a broader body contouring plan after massive weight loss. Some patients combine it with a breast lift, tummy tuck, or liposuction. Dr. Kelling considers total surgical time, blood clot risk, recovery demands, and the number of surgical sites before deciding if procedures should be combined or staged.
The Hands Behind the Lift
Dr. Joseph A. Kelling is a board-certified plastic surgeon trained at UT Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital. He personally performs every arm lift and brings experience in body contouring, liposuction, tissue removal, and scar placement to each case.
His research has appeared in Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he serves as community faculty for the UT Southwestern Plastic Surgery Residency. At Kelling Plastic Surgery, patients receive direct surgical care from Dr. Kelling and close follow-up throughout arm lift recovery.
Schedule an arm lift consultation at Kelling Plastic Surgery in Dallas to discuss the right degree of correction for your upper arms.
Arm lift cost depends on surgical complexity, incision length, facility and anesthesia fees, and any liposuction or additional body contouring performed. You’ll receive personalized pricing after your consultation.
Most patients experience soreness, tightness, and swelling during the first week. Pain medication helps keep early discomfort manageable.
Liposuction can remove excess fat but cannot tighten significant loose skin. An arm lift is usually more effective when hanging skin is the primary concern.
You should be near a healthy weight that you can maintain. Further significant weight loss may create additional loose skin and change your arm lift results.
Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collections, blood clots, numbness, asymmetry, delayed healing, and wide or raised scars. Dr. Kelling explains these risks before surgery and monitors healing during follow-up visits.
Gentle daily movement is encouraged, but reaching overhead can place tension on the incisions. Dr. Kelling will gradually increase your permitted range of motion as healing progresses.
