Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

What is a brachioplasty?

A brachioplasty, or arm lift, is an effective surgical procedure designed to permanently remove heavy, inelastic skin and underlying fat, resulting in a beautifully sculpted, toned upper arm that looks proportionate to the rest of your body and allows you to wear short sleeves and tank tops with absolute confidence.

During the procedure, we gently remove excess tissue and tighten the remaining skin from the underarm down to the elbow. If there are stubborn pockets of fat contributing to the volume of the arm, we often pair the excision with targeted liposuction to ensure the smoothest, most refined contour possible.

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Before & After Photos

Before

After

Patient 01

Patient Number

142039

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 02

Patient Number

142040

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 03

Patient Number

142041

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

Before

After

Patient 04

Patient Number

142042

Description

Timeline Timeline Surgeon Surgeon

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What to expect

Pre-op

Before Surgery

Click here to learn more about what to expect during consultation.

Who is a good candidate?

• Healthy individuals at a stable weight
• Individuals with excess upper arm fat and loose skin
• Nonsmokers and no medical conditions that causes poor wound healing
• Realistic expectations and goals

How to Prepare for Surgery

• You may need to do bloodwork and additional tests
• Stop smoking for 4-6 weeks
• Avoid herbal supplements for 2 weeks
• Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatories for 1 week

Risk & Complications

Procedure

On the Day of Surgery

Click here to learn what to expect on the day of your operation.

Anesthesia

• General

Duration of Surgery

• 3-4 Hours

Incisions

• Inner or backside of the upper arm from the armpit to just above the elbow

Please bring all your home medications.

Post-op

After Surgery

Click here to learn what to expect with your recovery and long-term results.

Wound care

• A compression garment and/or small drain may be placed to minimize swelling and bruising.

Sutures

• Removed within 2 week

Return to light work

• 2-3 weeks

Return to regular activity or exercise

• 4-6 weeks

Final result

• 3-6 months

Please follow all of the specific instructions given to you and attend your follow-up appointment as arranged.

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What is the average cost of a brachioplasty?

Range: $10,000 - $18,000

Costs may include:

Pre-op Investigations

Anesthesia

Equipment & Facility

Nursing Fee

Surgical Fee

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What are my Financing Options?

Every patient should have access to flexible financing options when considering a procedure. At Elevate Plastic Surgery, we partner with leading Canadian financing providers to help make your journey more accessible. Please contact us to learn more.

Elevated Plastic Surgery Personalized Plan

Beautifi Financing

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Frequently Asked Questions.

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This is one of the most common questions we receive. We meticulously place the incision along the inside (underside) or the back of the arm so that it remains as hidden as possible when your arms are resting naturally at your sides. While the scar is permanent, it will gradually fade and flatten over the first 12 to 18 months. For almost all of our patients, trading the heavy, chafing skin for a single, fading scar is entirely worth it.

The answer depends entirely on the quality of your skin. If you have excellent skin elasticity and simply want to remove a pocket of stubborn fat, liposuction alone will work beautifully. However, if your primary concern is loose, hanging skin (very common after massive weight loss or natural aging), liposuction alone will only remove the underlying fat, leaving the skin looking even more deflated and saggy. In these cases, a brachioplasty is required to physically excise that excess skin. We frequently combine the two procedures to achieve the best possible contour.

Yes. Immediately following your surgery, your arms will be wrapped in snug compression sleeves. These garments are a vital part of your recovery. They help minimize post-operative swelling, reduce fluid buildup, and support your newly contoured arm shape as the tissues heal and settle. You will typically wear these sleeves day and night for the first 4-6 weeks, taking them off only to shower.

For the first 2 weeks, you will need to keep your arms elevated on pillows while resting and avoid lifting your arms above your shoulders. You cannot drive until you have full, comfortable range of motion and are no longer taking prescription pain medication (usually around 10 to 14 days). Most patients with desk jobs can return to work within 1 to 2 weeks. For exercise, you must strictly avoid heavy lifting, carrying children, and upper-body workouts for 4 to 6 weeks to prevent stretching the healing scars.

It is very common to experience temporary numbness, tingling, or hypersensitivity along the incision line and the inner arm after surgery. This happens because the delicate superficial nerves are disrupted during the skin removal. For the vast majority of patients, normal sensation gradually returns over several months as the nerves regenerate.