Arm Lift After Weight Loss

An arm lift after weight loss is a procedure designed to remove excess skin or fat from around the arms after losing a significant amount of weight. There has been a recent rise in the popularity of weight-loss medications, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. While these treatments have helped thousands of patients significantly lose weight, the rapid weight loss they facilitate can leave patients with excess, hanging skin. We are excited to offer arm lifts after weight loss to help each individual reach the final results of their weight loss journey.

The surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon are some of the most coveted doctors in the Texas Triangle. With a reputation for consistent, stunning results, it is no wonder that they have quickly become one of the premier cosmetic destinations in the South.

If you are ready to schedule your consultation, please contact us online or call any one of our three offices:

About Arm Lifts After Weight Loss

Arm lifts, also known as brachioplasty, are a body-contouring procedure designed to eliminate excess skin and tissue around the arms. This procedure is often performed on patients following significant weight loss, but may also be performed after pregnancy or to address the effects of aging. ⁽¹⁾

When patients gain weight, it causes their skin to stretch to accommodate their figure. Prolonged stretching can lead to a loss of elasticity. Our surgeons at Austin Plastic Surgeon can perform an arm lift after massive weight loss to effectively restore a smoother and slimmer contour to the arms.

Benefits of Arm Lifts

Choosing to undergo an arm lift after weight loss comes with numerous advantages, including:

Suitable Candidates

Suitable candidates for this procedure include those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight and wish to remove excess, hanging skin from their arms. Each individual should be at a stable, maintainable weight and should be nonsmoking or willing to fully discontinue until healed. ⁽¹⁾

All candidates interested in a post-weight loss arm lift should be in good overall health without any underlying medical conditions that may impact the procedure. It is also important that realistic expectations are held regarding the results. The surgeon will determine each patient’s candidacy for an arm lift during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Each patient will need to attend a personal consultation at any one of our offices before scheduling their arm lift. This consultation is an opportunity for each individual to learn more about their procedure, as well as determine whether an arm lift is right for them or not. Our surgeons will ask each patient a series of questions regarding their medical history, concerns, and ideal outcomes. The surgeon will then evaluate each individual’s physical condition and overall anatomy. Using this information, our team will determine each patient’s candidacy and work towards crafting a customized treatment plan. We additionally offer virtual consultations for our out-of-state and international patients.

To schedule your personal consultation, please submit our online contact form or call the office most convenient for you:

Preparation

Each patient will receive a set of preparation guidelines from their surgeon during their personal consultation. These instructions may direct patients to discontinue using medications and herbal supplements that contain blood-thinning properties. Drinking should be avoided several days before and after the procedure. However, smoking and other nicotine use should be fully abstained from until a full recovery is made.

At least two weeks away from work and other social commitments should be taken. Prescriptions or medications should be filled ahead of time, and transportation home from the procedure should be arranged. The surgeon may request lab tests to ensure each individual is physically and physiologically ready for their arm lift.

Procedure

On the day of the procedure, each patient’s post-weight loss arm lift will take place in one of our accredited surgical facilities. The duration of each procedure will depend on the extent of correction. General anesthesia will be administered to each patient to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Arm lifts under local anesthesia has become increasing more popular as patients are looking for rapid recovery without the need for anesthesia. Under certain circumstances this may be a great option for patients.. The surgeon will use a skin-safe marker to outline the areas being treated. Once each patient is deemed comfortable, the surgeon will begin the procedure.

There are several ways our team can perform an arm lift. Liposuction may be used to address excess deposits of fat in the arms. During liposuction, the surgeon will create an incision near the treatment site. The area will be washed with a tumescent solution to decrease blood loss and make the procedure more comfortable, making it easier to remove excess skin and sculpt the entire arm.. A specialized cannula is then used to gently emulsify and suction the fatty tissues out.

From there, the surgeon will place incisions either along the back or inside of the arms. The incisions may be made in a variety of different shapes, such as a straight line, “W,” “S,” and “L.” These incision shapes are chosen depending on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and to help minimize the visibility of scarring. ⁽²⁾ The surgeon will then remove the excess skin. Once each patient’s desired look has been achieved, the surgeon will carefully close the incisions in multiple layers. Each patient will be placed in bandaging and a supportive garment before they are left under the careful watch of the Austin Plastic Surgeon team.

Recovery

Each patient will be released after their procedure, as arm lifts are performed on an outpatient basis. During this time, it is common to experience swelling and bruising in the treatment area, but these effects may be managed with medications. Each patient’s compression garment is also designed to help minimize swelling. Individuals will be required to continue wearing their compression garment until told otherwise by their surgeon or another member of our team.

The surgeon will request patients to return to the office for follow-up appointments to ensure their recovery is progressing as planned. Most patients typically return to the office after two weeks, depending on the nature of their careers. High-impact or physical activities should, however, continue to be avoided for several more weeks.

Results

The results of each patient’s arm lift will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides. Patients will be able to experience slim, smooth, and contoured arms that look more proportionate to their post-weight loss figure. Individuals may also experience an ease in mobility, as well as reduced chafing and irritation from laxity. Many patients also find that wearing sleeveless or short-sleeved tops looks more flattering and often fits better. These effects can each help patients enhance their self-esteem, leading to a greater sense of body confidence. The results of an arm lift are long-lasting, but patients will need to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle for longevity.

Corresponding Procedures

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift, also known as a thighplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove skin from the inner thighs, leaving them more tightened and toned. A thigh lift is typically performed after losing a significant amount of weight, making it ideal to pair with an arm lift. Our surgeons can perform multiple, different variations of the thigh lift to help each patient achieve their ideal sculpt.

Skin Tightening

Energy Devices such as Renuvion and QuantumRF can often be used in combination with liposuction and brachioplasty. This helps tighten the entire arm and improve the overall tone of the skin in the arm.

For more information on the other procedures we offer, we encourage you to check out the Austin Plastic Surgeon blog!

Cost of an Arm Lift After Weight Loss in Austin

Before any customization, an arm lift is estimated to cost between $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the specifics, but this can vary depending on each patient’s anatomy and needs. The surgeon will discuss the pricing of each patient’s post-weight loss arm lift during their consultation, once their treatment plan has been agreed upon.

To learn more about the cost of each patient’s treatment, please schedule a consultation by contacting us online or calling any one of our three offices:

FAQ

References

1. Nalin Nagrath, Winters R. Brachioplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. Accessed June 12, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/#article-145189.s5
2. Di Pietro V, Colicchia GM, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Arm Contouring After Massive Weight Loss: Liposuction-Assisted Brachioplasty Versus Standard Technique. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2018;11(2):73-78. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_102_17