Arm Lift Surgery in Temecula, Murrieta, & Menifee

Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a slimmer, more toned appearance.

Arm Lift Surgery (or Brachioplasty) in Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee, CA

Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape and contour the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat. Over time, factors like aging, weight fluctuations, or genetics can lead to sagging skin that diet and exercise alone can’t fix. An arm lift addresses this by tightening the supportive tissue and improving overall arm definition, resulting in a smoother, firmer appearance.

Many people seek arm lift surgery to feel more confident in sleeveless clothing or to restore a more youthful look after significant weight loss. At Newman Plastic Surgery in Temecula, patients receive expert care from Dr. David A. Newman, a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in body contouring. A personalized consultation at Newman Plastic Surgery is the first step toward achieving your aesthetic goals with precision, safety, and a caring approach.

What To Expect Arm Lift Surgery

  • Anesthesia: General anesthesia is typically used to ensure patient comfort throughout the procedure.
  • Length of Procedure: Arm lift surgery usually takes between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the extent of tissue removal and whether liposuction is also performed.
  • Outpatient/Inpatient: This is an outpatient procedure, so patients can return home the same day.
  • Recovery: Patients can expect mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and discomfort for the first few days. Light activity may resume within a week, but full recovery, including return to exercise, typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Compression sleeves may be recommended to support healing and minimize swelling.

 

Arm Lift Surgery Temecula FAQs

What is brachioplasty?

This is the medical term used for an arm lift. In everyday English, it means arm (brachial) reshaping (plasty).

What do we do in arm lift surgery?

During surgery, we remove the excess upper arm tissue. People often called it a bat wing. We do this procedure by cutting or a combination of liposuction and direct excision.

Do we typically do liposuction at the same time as an arm lift?

This depends on the patient.  Liposuction may be required to get the contour that the patient has been striving for.

Is arm lift surgery painful?

I would love to say that we can offer a pain-free arm lift Temecula. Unfortunately, like any body contouring procedure, our patients report very tolerable pain. Most people are off the pain pills just a few days after the procedure.

Where is the incision made?

Once again, this is dependent on the patient and the amount of tissue we plan to remove. Typically, when doing a brachioplasty, the incision is the length of the upper arm. That is, from the armpit to the elbow. We identify the excess tissue located at the top of the upper arm. We typically make a short crescent-shaped incision in the armpit area.

For arm lift surgery, what type of anesthesia is used?

We usually use general anesthesia for brachioplasty.  After our patient is asleep, we often give an additional local numbing injection in the surgical area to assist with postoperative pain control.

Is there any scarring with arm lift surgery?

Yes, all body contouring surgery has a scar. Dr. Newman is experienced making scars small and almost disappear.

Where is the scar for arm lift surgery?

For our regular arm lift, the scar becomes a slight line from the armpit to the elbow. I place it on the inside of the arm so that it is rarely seen while wearing short sleeve shirts and tank tops. For the shorter arm lift, the scar is a curved line that we hide in the armpit.

How long does it take for the scar to heal?

The initial incision takes about two weeks to heal. After that, I will work with you to implement scar reduction techniques. Some include massage and ointment to reduce the size and visibility of the scar.

Who is a good candidate for an arm lift?

Only patients that are in good health should do any plastic surgery procedures. It is also essential before an arm lift to have your weight consistent for at least one year.