Arm lift (brachioplasty)

An arm lift can be performed by an experienced surgeon without leaving particularly noticeable scars.

Before and After Photos

An arm lift is a demanding procedure

An arm lift is a procedure primarily performed after massive weight loss. However, many people naturally have strong upper arms that they find bothersome.

It is also common for patients to be bothered by the appearance of wrinkles on the inner side of the upper arms, which can occur even when the arm circumference is normal.

There are two methods of arm lift surgery to choose from:

The method using a crescent-shaped incision reduces the circumference of the upper arms only slightly but effectively tightens the skin on the inner side, thereby eliminating wrinkles.

The method with an incision along the inner side of the upper arm is very effective, significantly reducing the circumference of the upper arms and also eliminating wrinkles.

For the majority of my patients, the excess skin is considerable, so the long incision technique is required much more frequently than the crescent-shaped incision. Ideally, the scar is placed exactly along the transition between the inner and back side of the upper arm. In this way, it is barely visible from either the front or the back.

With the crescent-shaped technique, an important aspect is to avoid skin tension in the armpit area, as this can lead to renewed sagging of the skin and distortion of the incision toward the elbow. To prevent this, the tightened skin must be anchored to a stable structure in the axilla using a dermal flap.

If a reduction in arm circumference is desired and the skin is still firm, liposuction alone can indeed achieve a good result.

Before and After Photos

Examples of arm lifts with long and short scars. All images are of patients who were operated on by me. They have not been retouched or altered in any way.

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Your consultation appointment

Would you like to learn more about arm lift surgery? We are happy to provide you with comprehensive and personal advice; although this procedure is not requested very often, we can show you many examples. Simply click on the button below and schedule your consultation at any time of the day or night — whenever it suits you best. If you don’t like using a computer, or if no appointment is available in the near future, you are also welcome to call us: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 01/5870000 — I look forward to speaking with you.

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Arm lift – overview

Below is a summary of the necessary steps and preparations associated with the arm lift procedure.

Initial Consultation

Have you already purchased the book “Arm and Thigh Lift” for 40 euros in our practice or online? Then the initial consultation for an aesthetic surgical procedure such as a nose or chin correction is included. An initial consultation usually lasts about 30 minutes. Without purchasing the book, the fee is 250.00 euros; for a longer and more detailed initial consultation (no fixed duration), I charge 300.00 euros.

Even if you have already had an arm lift performed at another practice, are dissatisfied with the result, and would like to seek a second opinion, I am happy to advise you. However, I ask for your understanding that in this case I will charge 300 euros, which will be credited to you in the event of a corrective surgery.

My personal tip for you: Always and fundamentally obtain a second opinion before undergoing a procedure (this is, of course, not included in the book purchase).

Hospital Stay

Outpatient or day clinic (no overnight stay)

800 to 1,500 euros, depending on the duration of the surgery and the hospital

Inpatient (with overnight stay)

1,600 to 3,500 euros, depending on the duration of the surgery, number of overnight stays, room category (suite, single room, shared room), and hospital

Anesthesia

The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia; therefore, an anesthesiologist must be present during the surgery. The cost for the anesthesiologist varies depending on the duration of the operation, ranging from 800 to 1,600 euros. On average, costs amount to around 1,200 euros. If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, no additional costs arise, as no anesthesiologist is required for the surgery.

Costs

Depending on the method used (short or long incision), the surgical fee ranges between 4,500 and 7,500 euros.

Surgery Preparation

when the procedure is performed under local anesthesia

For hygiene regulations, a blood test (so-called “small blood panel”) is required, including HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C. If you are socially insured in Austria and the procedure is medically indicated, there are no additional costs for the blood test.

when the procedure is performed under general anesthesia

Preoperative preparation includes a blood test (so-called “comprehensive blood panel”), a chest X-ray, and surgical clearance by a general practitioner or internist. If you are socially insured in Austria and the procedure is medically indicated, there are no additional costs. The same applies to surgical clearance issued by a general practitioner or internist who has a contract with the Austrian social insurance providers. In our medical center, there is an internist who is a private doctor (“Wahlarzt”). For private doctors, insurance covers about 50% of the costs.

If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the following examinations should be carried out:

Complete preoperative blood test including blood type, HIV, and hepatitis A, B, and C

If the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, the following additional examinations are required:

Chest X-ray
ECG
Surgical clearance by a general practitioner or internist

Please note that all examinations must be no older than 10 days at the time of surgery. Please bring all medical reports with you to the hospital on the day of the operation.

Aspirin, ThromboASS, and similar medications must not be taken for 14 days before the procedure. If necessary, a temporary switch to Heparin may be considered.

Please arrive at the hospital 2.5 hours before your surgery and check in at the reception. After completing the admission formalities, you will be taken to your room. If desired, you can receive an infusion to help reduce thirst.

Please note that you should not smoke for 10 days after the surgery, as nicotine constricts blood vessels and can impair proper wound healing.

Surgery Checklist

Plan the surgery date
Set the surgery date (take vacation or compensatory time off, arrange childcare if necessary, etc.)
Have the preoperative examinations (blood test, X-ray if needed, ECG, surgical clearance) performed at least 2 weeks before the operation.
Preoperative consultation on the day before the surgery. The findings are reviewed, final details discussed, and the consent form signed. You will receive a hospital admission form from the assistant, which must be completed and brought to the hospital. Schedule the first follow-up appointment at the practice.
Arrive at the hospital 2.5 hours before the operation – admission formalities. Upon request, a staff member can accompany you and make the waiting time before surgery more pleasant.
Discharge from the hospital usually takes place either on the day of the operation or the following day if the procedure was performed under general anesthesia. Please do not drive yourself — take a taxi or have someone pick you up.
Plan to rest at home and avoid physically demanding activities.

Follow-up visit (approx. 5–7 days after surgery)
Follow-up visit (approx. 10 days after surgery): removal of stitches
Follow-up visit (approx. 20 days after surgery)
Follow-up visit (approx. 30 days after surgery)

additional follow-up visits after one, two, and six months
final check-up after one year

Rounds & Follow-up Appointments

Check-ups and follow-up visits are included in the surgical fee!

Faq

Below are the most frequently asked questions associated with the arm lift procedure.

Can a reduction of upper arm circumference also be achieved through liposuction?

If there is no excess skin and the skin is still firm, good results can indeed be achieved with liposuction alone.

What methods of arm lifting exist?

There are essentially two options, depending on the extent of excess skin to be corrected. With mild to moderate skin excess, the procedure can be limited to the armpit area. If there is more excess skin, the procedure must be extended along the upper arm.

Where are the scars located after an arm lift?

Depending on the surgical method used, the scar either runs from the armpit along the inner side of the upper arm down to the elbow area or is limited to the armpit region.

How visible are the scars?

If the incision is limited to the armpit region, the scar is visible only when the arms are raised — and even then, only if the armpits are shaved. With the longer incision, the cut is placed along the transition between the inner and back side of the upper arm, making the scar hardly visible from either the front or the back.

Is the procedure performed under local anesthesia?

If the surgery is limited to the armpit region, it can be performed under local anesthesia. For the longer incision, the operation is performed under general anesthesia.

Is the procedure covered by health insurance?

Unfortunately not. Unlike a tummy tuck, an arm lift is a purely aesthetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance.

How long is the hospital stay?

If the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the hospital can usually be left the same day. If it is performed under general anesthesia, an overnight stay is generally required.

What complications can occur?

The most common medical complications are postoperative bleeding, infection, and injury to a sensory skin nerve. With careful surgical technique, bleeding and infection are largely avoidable. However, nerve injury may sometimes be unavoidable, especially if there is significant skin excess and the nerve running through the surgical area cannot be spared.

Result-related complications include asymmetric scars, tearing of anchoring sutures, “dog-ear” formation, and keloid scarring. Except for keloid scars, most aesthetic complications can be corrected relatively easily through revision surgery.

How soon can one resume normal activities after an arm lift?

Quite early. In uncomplicated cases, normal activity is possible after just a few days. Overhead sports, however, should be avoided for four weeks to prevent unnecessary tension on the scars.

What are the long-term results after an arm lift?

If weight remains stable, the long-term results are generally excellent.