What do arm lift scars look like? A board-certified cosmetic surgeon answers 10 questions you have about brachioplasty

Considering an arm lift? You probably have some questions about the procedure and what happens after—like what kinds of clothing will conceal your scar, and when you can get back to driving. In this blog post, we’re demystifying the process by answering 10 of the most common questions our Little Rock arm lift patients ask.

1. Is arm lift considered major surgery?
2. Can I combine an arm lift surgery with other plastic surgery procedures?
3. Does brachioplasty also target armpit fat?
4. When can I drive after arm lift surgery?
5. What do arm lift scars look like?
6. Is brachioplasty permanent?
7. Will weight loss or weight gain affect my results?
8. Will arm workouts give me better results than an arm lift?
9. Are there non-surgical alternatives to brachioplasty? 
10. How do I choose the best arm lift surgeon?

Is arm lift considered major surgery?

No. Arm lift, or brachioplasty, is considered to be a fairly typical and safe cosmetic surgery procedure when performed by an experienced, board certified cosmetic surgeon. That said, you will still need to take your arm lift surgery and recovery seriously. 

The procedure typically involves both excision of sagging, loose skin as well as liposuction—which means you will have healing incisions to tend to, and may be required to wear compression garments. You will also have to take about a week off work and your arm movement will be limited during the initial recovery period. Still, you can rest assured that arm lift is not a “major” surgery compared with significant functional operations performed by surgeons in other specialties. 

Arm lift safety isn’t just dependent on your surgeon’s experience: be sure to vet the surgical facility’s accreditation and the anesthesia provider’s certification. We typically perform arm lifts under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure in our private, on-site, AAAHC accredited surgical center.

Can I combine an arm lift surgery with other plastic surgery procedures?

Yes, it is possible to combine an arm lift with another cosmetic plastic surgery procedure. The technique most commonly paired with an arm lift is liposuction, which allows your surgeon to sculpt a more refined result. Many patients also opt for a complementary lifting procedure, adding a breast lift, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), and/or facelift to their procedure plan for a more complete makeover.

However, if you combine procedures in other areas of your face or body with an arm lift in the same operation, you must be prepared to cope with limited arm movement—which can make recovery from any added procedures more challenging. For this reason, some patients prefer to have their arm lift procedure at a separate time. 

Because combining procedures is a very personal decision, and can depend on specifics of your health and lifestyle, it is important to trust your cosmetic surgeon’s advice on which of your desired options can be safely combined.

Does brachioplasty also target armpit fat?

An arm lift reduces fat and excess skin from the elbow up to the underarms, or armpits, which is where the incision typically ends—however, the focus is on the back of the arms. Fat deposits located in the front of the armpit (the kind you see with your arms down in sleeveless clothes) may not necessarily be affected by a standard brachioplasty, but liposuction can be added on to remove stubborn fat cells both in related areas in order to address armpit fat during the same operation. 

When can I drive after arm lift surgery?

Wait until you have been given the green light by your medical team before resuming driving—usually after about 2 weeks. It’s safe to drive again after…

• You are no longer taking narcotic pain medication.
• You have the range of physical motion needed to safely operate your car.
• Your driving position and duration of the drive will not strain your incisions or cause too much discomfort.

Once patients are ready, we suggest running a short errand, accompanied by another driver, to test how you feel behind the wheel before taking longer drives. Ultimately, your results depend on your commitment to a safe recovery, so follow your cosmetic surgeon’s guidance in order to protect your investment.

Driving is a relatively low-impact activity; before resuming other, more strenuous movement it is important to make sure that any incision areas are well-healed—at least 4-6 weeks. We will give you personalized advice during your follow-up appointments and let you know when you can resume each of your normal activities.

What do arm lift scars look like?

Arm lift scars look like a very thin line, located on the inner backside of the arm, extending from the elbow up to the armpit. The scar’s location is somewhat more visible than other plastic surgery scars (which are often cleverly hidden), so it’s especially important to understand what goes into having the best arm lift scar appearance:

• The surgeon’s expert suturing technique will be key to having a nearly invisible final scar, so choose an expert who has performed many arm lifts in the past.
• Most surgeons will use absorbable sutures, so you will not need to return to have stitches removed.
• After an arm lift, your scar will initially be red in color and slightly raised. 
• After the initial recovery period, your surgeon should provide you with topical silicone gel to apply to your scars; this is a proven, effective way to reduce the appearance of scarring.
• With appropriate care and sun protection, your arm lift scars will continue to gradually fade over time. 
• After 1 year, scars tend to become very faint, more flat, and have minimal discoloration. 

Here at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery, rest assured that our expert team will support you throughout the process, observing your individual progress in healing and advising you on how best to care for your scars at each step.

Arm lift scars look like a very thin line, located on the inner backside of the arm, extending from the elbow up to the armpit.

Is brachioplasty permanent?

Arm lifts are considered a permanent solution to “bat wings,” but your results can be affected over time by aging and weight fluctuations. 

Plan to observe a healthy lifestyle both before and after having an arm lift procedure, including eating a nutritious diet and exercising: good nutrition supports skin elasticity, and keeping your weight stable is key to preserving your results (weight gain will stretch the skin out again). 

As aging alone affects the skin’s appearance, maintenance treatments may be needed to ensure that your arms stay lifted and firm over time. Still, you can expect that your arms will maintain a more toned appearance than they would have if you had not undergone an arm lift.

Will weight loss or weight gain affect my results?

If you gain or lose a significant amount of weight after the procedure, it can certainly change the shape and size of your arms and bring back the appearance of sagging. This is true of any body contouring surgery! Before undergoing an arm lift, reach a stable weight you are happy to stick with. We will be sure to establish reasonable expectations for your long-term results, and provide detailed instructions for post-operative care.

Will arm workouts give me better results than an arm lift?

Arm workouts may tone and sculpt your arms. However, they are not going to give you comparable results to an arm lift: an arm lift is the only way to remove excess skin and significantly reduce sagging of the upper arms, so if your goal is to tighten loose skin, then an arm lift is likely to be your best option.

Of course, an exercise routine should be part of keeping your body in shape after the surgery, and can help to enhance your results when you are ready to resume exercise after about 4-6 weeks.

Are there non-surgical alternatives to brachioplasty?

While non-surgical treatments to tone muscles, tighten skin, or reduce fat in the upper arms do exist, the results are going to be more subtle and develop very gradually when compared with the results of a surgical arm lift.

For example, CoolSculpting (cryolipolysis) for fat reduction is FDA-cleared to reduce excess fat in the arms to a degree, but does not address excess skin or sagging, and may require repeat treatments to see noticeable results. Non-surgical methods to improve skin tone include radiofrequency treatments and laser treatments, but like cryolipolysis, won’t provide ideal results. In sum, only surgery can significantly tighten or remove excess skin.

How do I choose the best arm lift surgeon?

When choosing an arm lift surgeon, it’s important to find someone who is experienced and highly qualified: search online and read reviews from previous patients; look for board-certification in cosmetic surgery; check out their before and after gallery; and ask for referrals from friends or family.

After researching surgeons, schedule an in-person consultation with the cosmetic surgeon you are considering. During this meeting, make sure that they listen to your needs, answer your questions, and thoroughly examine your areas of concern, then explain your treatment options in a low-pressure way. Additionally, you should make sure that their surgical facility is accredited to guarantee it meets or exceeds hospital-level safety standards. Lastly, remember to check that your arm lift quote includes all costs, including anesthesia and post-operative needs, to ensure you don’t encounter any hidden fees down the road.

About Dr. Rhys Branman & Cosmetic Surgery Center

Board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman and the team at Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock, AR are here to help you through every step of cosmetic surgery. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Branman has helped thousands of patients look and feel their best with a full suite of surgical procedures, as well as non-surgical treatments like Botox, fillers, and facials. We are located convenient to North Little Rock, Cammack Village, and Maumelle, while also serving Arkansas patients as far as Fayetteville, Pine Bluff and Hot Springs.

We invite you to schedule your personal consultation by calling 501-227-0707 or contacting us online.