Brachioplasty · Body
Arm lift. Firmer arms, worn with ease.
Loose skin on the upper arms rarely responds to exercise, and it can decide what you wear. An arm lift removes the excess skin and fat so the arm is firmer and more defined, and sleeveless is a choice again.
Results
Before and after.
We show only a small selection of results, with each patient's written consent, and never ask patients to share their photographs. Results vary from person to person.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterAbout the procedure
Skin and fat, addressed together.
The skin of the inner upper arm is thin and loses its elasticity early. After significant weight loss, with age, or simply through inheritance, it hangs loose from the elbow to the armpit, and no amount of training tightens it.
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, deals with both the fat and the skin. Where there is excess fat, Dr Ouali removes it first with liposuction through small incisions near the armpit and elbow. The loose skin is then removed in a long oval along the inner arm, so the scar runs where the arm rests against the body and is hidden when the arms are down.
Not everyone needs both. Younger patients with good skin tone may do well with liposuction alone, since the skin tightens by itself as it heals. Patients who have lost a great deal of weight may need only the skin removed. Dr Ouali will tell you plainly which applies to you.
Arms are rarely identical, and the plan is adjusted for each side to give as balanced a result as possible. The procedure takes two to three hours and you go home the same day.
Is it right for you?
You may be considering it if
An arm lift leaves a scar along the inner arm, and that is a real trade for the change in shape. If your concern is a small amount of fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may be the better route, and Dr Ouali will say so.
Your journey
What to expect.
Consultation
A complimentary video consultation with Dr Ouali, private and unhurried. Over video, with photographs if helpful, he looks at your arms, explains whether skin, fat or both need addressing, and shows you where the scar would sit. If you would rather meet in person at Langham Hospital first, that can be arranged; a consultation fee applies.
The day of surgery
Carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation if preferred, in two to three hours. You rest in a private room afterwards and go home the same day with someone to accompany you, wearing a compression garment.
The first two weeks
Expect swelling, bruising and tightness, eased by prescribed pain relief. You are encouraged to move gently from the first day. Showering is usually possible from a week. A nurse checks your wounds at one week.
The result
The compression garment is worn for up to eight weeks and exercise returns at six to eight weeks. Dr Ouali reviews you at six weeks. Scars fade over 12 to 18 months and the new shape is yours to keep.
Risks and safety
Told to you plainly.
Brachioplasty is a well-established procedure, but it is a larger operation than most on this site and no surgery is without risk. Dr Ouali will go through each of these with you before you decide.
Common and temporary: swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness of the inner arm and restricted movement in the first weeks. Uncommon: bleeding, infection, fluid collection, wound healing problems, asymmetry between the arms, or scars that stretch or thicken. Rarely, blood clots, injury to small nerves or vessels, or a need for further surgery to revise the scar or shape.
Good to know
- Anaesthetic
- Local, with sedation if preferred
- Duration
- 2 to 3 hours
- Stay
- Day case
- Back to work
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Results
- Long-lasting
Every procedure is planned around you. These are typical figures; Dr Ouali will confirm what applies in your case at your consultation.
Ask a questionFor men
Arm lift for men.
Men come for an arm lift most often after major weight loss, when the skin of the upper arm has not shrunk back with the rest of the body. The approach is the same, with the scar placed along the inner arm and the aim a firm, natural arm rather than a sculpted one. Liposuction alone can suit men whose skin still has good tone.
Your surgeon
Arm lift surgery with Dr Braham Ouali.
An arm lift is as much about the scar as the shape, and Dr Ouali plans both with care: how much to remove, where the line will sit, and how to keep the two arms in balance. He will be honest about the trade between a longer scar and a tighter arm.
Your consultation is private and unhurried. He will tell you plainly what surgery can achieve and what it cannot, and you will never be hurried towards a decision. From the first conversation to your final review, you are supported at every stage, and you always know who to turn to.
Where you will be treated
Langham Hospital, Hallam Street.
Dr Ouali consults and operates at Langham Hospital, a private hospital a few minutes' walk from Harley Street. Calm, modern and entirely discreet, with consulting rooms, treatment rooms and operating theatres under one roof.
Patient stories
In their own words.
I felt completely at ease with him - he was incredibly kind and gentle throughout the procedure, which really helped calm my nerves.
The healing process has been excellent, with minimal scarring thanks to your skill and expertise. The entire experience has been an outstanding success.
His demeanour, gentleness and understanding was outstanding throughout. He took his time, explaining exactly what he was doing. He treated me as a person not a number.
Common questions
What patients ask.
What anaesthetic is used, and how long does it take?
Arm lift surgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, with sedation if you prefer, and takes two to three hours. It is a day case, so you rest in a private room afterwards and go home the same day.
Will I have a scar?
If liposuction alone is enough, the scars are a few millimetres long. If skin is removed, the scar runs along the inner upper arm, from near the elbow towards the armpit, where it is hidden when the arm is at your side. It fades over 12 to 18 months.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk-based work in one to two weeks. Allow longer for physical work or anything that involves lifting. Exercise returns at six to eight weeks.
Do I need to wear a compression garment?
Yes, day and night for up to eight weeks. It reduces swelling and helps the skin settle onto its new contour.
Can an arm lift be combined with other surgery?
It is often combined with liposuction of the shoulders, upper back or armpit area. Dr Ouali will advise on what is sensible in one sitting.
Are the results permanent?
The skin that is removed does not come back, so the results are long-lasting provided your weight stays stable. The skin continues to age naturally.
Is an arm lift available on the NHS?
Not usually. The NHS treats brachioplasty as cosmetic, even after weight loss, so most people arrange it privately.
I am flying in from abroad. How long should I stay?
Plan to be in London for at least 10 to 14 days after surgery so your wounds can be checked before you fly. Your first consultation is by video, and so is the six-week review wherever possible.
Complimentary virtual consultations
Begin with a conversation.
Your first consultation is complimentary and takes place by video, with no obligation and no hurry. Tell us a little about what you are considering, and we will arrange a time to talk.