Overview Procedure Before/AfterFeesConsent Form Post-Operative Instructions Reviews Consultants FAQs
The goal of a brachioplasty or arm lift is to reduce excess skin and to reduce the circumference of the arm. When there is good skin tone or minimal skin sagging, fat deposits can be reduced by liposuction or vaser liposuction. But marked skin redundancy or laxity can only be improved by surgery.
Excess skin or fat in the arm can be caused by:
Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, can reduce these conditions with liposuction and excision of excess skin to create a tight and contoured appearance to the upper arm.
1.5 hours
Twilight Sedation
Daycase (no overnight stay)
3 - 7 days
Bruising, swelling, temporary numbness, temporary skin irregularity
Infection, excessive scarring, asymmetry, bleeding, permanent numbness, permanent nerve damage, delayed wound healing
1 week, 2 weeks, 3 months (after surgery)
2 - 3 weeks
2 weeks post-op - walking, 4 week post-op - fast walking/jogging, 6 weeks post-op - everything
12 weeks until final result. Scars continue to improve over 18 months
These arm lift before and after photos will give you an idea of the results that can be achieved with this procedure, and whether arm lift surgery is right for you. Your consultant will also be able to show you a wide range of photos in your consultation.
Brachioplasty (arm lift) surgery starts from £4,200 for a mini lift. Please get in touch to confirm your fee. All patients will require a consultation prior to surgery to assess your individual requirements and desires.
Mini Arm Reduction
From £4,895
Arm Reduction
From £6,302
There are many cosmetic and psychological benefits of an arm lift or brachioplasty, including:
At Kat & Co we carry out arm lifts under Twilight Anaesthesia. Patients will be asleep and will not remember their procedure, but they will be able to breathe for themselves meaning that you will be able to go home the same day and recover in your own home or a nearby hotel.
Our consultants will typically recommend two to three weeks off work for brachioplasty surgery patients. However, this may change depending on the individual and the extent of the reduction you are having.
If you are a prospective patient, please download the informed consent form below. This includes information about the treatment, potential risks and contraindications.
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical intervention that aims to reduce the size of the arm, eliminate fat deposits, and remove excessive loose skin from the arm to improve its appearance.
The specific procedure chosen will depend on the individual's condition, which may involve removing excess fat deposits, excising loose skin, or both through liposuction and/or skin excision.
Typically, the procedure is done on an outpatient basis, under general anesthesia, and takes approximately 1-2 hours.
After the surgery, bruising may occur for up to 3 weeks. However, after this period, patients can comfortably wear short sleeves, and the final results can be seen in about 3 months.
If you have excess fat deposits in your upper arms, loose sagging skin in or around your upper arms, inelastic or lax arm skin, commonly known as "bingo wings," unshapely or untoned arm contours, or disproportionate arms relative to the rest of your figure, you might be a suitable candidate for an arm lift.
While an arm lift primarily targets the upper arm area, it is possible to address adjacent areas of fat deposits and excess skin during the same procedure. These areas may include the shoulder, armpit, back, breast, forearms, and the back of the elbow.
Typically, no specific preparation is necessary before undergoing an arm lift; however, it is generally recommended to take the following precautions before any surgery:
Brachioplasty is a day surgery procedure under Twilight Anaesthesia. You are typically at the clinic for about 4 to 5 hours.
Arm lift surgery typically takes around an hour and a half.
Results of the arm lift surgery may become noticeable within the first few days after the procedure. However, the full outcome may take up to twelve weeks to appear. Your scarring will continue to improve for up to 18 months.
Assuming that you maintain your body weight following the surgery, your arm lift results should be long-lasting and permanent. However, the natural ageing process will still occur from your new post-procedure state, and skin laxity may gradually increase over time. Nevertheless, since the ageing process will commence from a much better point, it should be several years before any noticeable changes occur.
During the arm reduction surgery, you should not feel any pain since you will be under the effects of the twilight anesthesia. However, after the procedure, you may experience some discomfort, but any pain should be manageable.
Your surgeon may prescribe painkillers for discomfort, but most patients find that they no longer require them after a few days following the arm reduction surgery.
The formation of a capsule of connective-tissue around an implant is a normal reaction to a foreign body. The undesired tightening of this capsule (capsular contracture or capsular fibrosis) can result in changes to the shape as well as to the position of the implant. A capsular contracture may never occur at all, or it may occur after weeks, months or years.
Arm lift surgery is generally considered to be a safe and straightforward procedure; however, it is essential to be aware of all the possible risks and complications before proceeding with the surgery.
Your surgeon will provide a comprehensive overview of the potential risks during your arm reduction consultation.
You will be left with a permanent scar after arm lift surgery. However, our skilled surgeons will attempt to hide this as much as possible. It may take up to 18 months for your scars to fade as much as possible.