Frequently Asked Questions About Arm Lift Surgery

1. Where is the scar?
2. How long will it take for the scar to heal?
3. Is liposuction done as well?
4. Who is a good candidate for an arm lift?
5. How long does the surgery take?
6. When can I return to normal activities?
7. Can other procedures be done at the same time?
8. What is the cost?

1. Where is the scar?
The scar has runs posteriorly along the arm from the elbow to the underarm. This posterior placement hides the incision much better than putting it in the middle of the arm on the inside. The incision may be continued into the underarm and possibly into the upper back, if extra skin extends into those areas.

2. How long will it take for my scar to heal?
The incision continues to heal for at least 12 months following surgery. During this time, the incision will change from a reddish pink to a lighter pink to nearly natural skin color. There are scar management techniques that can improve the final appearance of the scar. A scar management program is started after the incision has healed for three to four weeks and is continued for a two month duration.

3. Is liposuction done as well?
Yes, liposuction is always done with an arm lift. The purpose of the liposuction is to reduce the volume of arm fat prior to excising skin.

4. Who is a good candidate for an arm lift?
Patients who have redundant skin with poor skin quality are good candidates for an arm lift. Usually these are patients who have experienced massive weight loss, but they can also be those whose genes dictated excessively bulky arms.

5. How long does the surgery take?
The surgery for an arm lift takes about three to four hours, depending on the amount of skin removal and liposuction required. It is done under a general anesthetic and the post-operative recovery is not significantly painful or uncomfortable.

6. When can I return to normal activities?
Most patients can return to work in seven to ten days, as long as his/her jobs do not require a lot of physical activity and exertion. A compression garment is usually worn for the first two weeks following surgery in order to reduce post-operative swelling.

If a patient’s work is physically strenuous, they may not be able to return to work for two to six weeks, depending upon the exact nature of his/her job. Although patients may drive a car approximately five to seven days after surgery, formal exercise regimens should not be resumed for six weeks.

7. Can other procedures be done at the same time?
Yes, other procedures can be done at the same time. Procedures that are often combined with arm lift surgery include breast lifts, tummy tucks and additional areas of liposuction.

8. What is the cost of an arm lift?
An arm lift costs approximately $6000-$8000, depending on the complexity of the case and the length of time required to complete the surgical procedure.

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