Arm Lift Surgery in Edinburgh
Loose skin on the upper arms — common after weight loss and with age — does not respond to exercise once the skin’s elasticity has gone. Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) at Quaba Plastic Surgery is performed by Mr Will Anderson, a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register who has practised since 2008. Surgery takes place at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, and the consultant who assesses you is the consultant who performs your surgery.
Contents
Arm lift surgery overview
- Anaesthetic: general anaesthesia.
- Length: approximately 2 hours.
- Hospital stay: day case at Waterfront Private Hospital, or overnight at our partner facility in Edinburgh.
- Recovery time: 1 to 2 weeks off work; 6 weeks before strenuous exercise.
What arm lift surgery involves
An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, tightening and lifting the tissue that remains. The procedure addresses the loose, sagging skin that often develops with age, after weight loss, or through genetics.
Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia at Waterfront Private Hospital and takes around two hours. An incision is made along the upper arm, excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is re-draped to give a firmer contour. The scar is generally positioned toward the back of the arm, where it is not noticeable when the arms are down by the sides.
Arm lift surgery at Quaba is performed by Mr Will Anderson, a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register who has practised since 2008. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your surgery, performs it, and reviews you afterwards.
Arm lift and liposuction: which is appropriate?
There are two main options for correcting excess upper arm skin and fat, and the right one depends on how much loose skin is present and how elastic the skin remains. The two approaches are described below.
Liposuction
Liposuction
Liposuction is useful when there is fatty tissue and not too much excess skin. The other essential requirement is that the skin has reasonable elasticity so that it can shrink back after the liposuction.
Liposuction does not work well when skin quality is poor and where skin excess is significant.
Surgical removal of skin/ fat
Surgical removal of skin/ fat
Surgical removal/ brachioplasty remains the best option for dealing with excess skin of reduced elasticity. Many prospective patients are put off by the long scars that may result, and it is vital that anyone considering this surgery has a good understanding of the nature of the scarring.
Generally speaking, the scars can be hidden toward the back of the arms and are not noticeable when the arms are down by the sides. The images below show typical scars six months after surgery.
Arm lift scar – 6 months (results will vary from patient to patient)
Benefits of arm lift surgery
An arm lift produces a firmer, more contoured upper arm and removes the loose skin that can make clothing choices a daily consideration.
- A smoother, tighter upper arm contour.
- Greater comfort in sleeveless and fitted clothing.
- Relief from the chafing and irritation that folds of loose skin can cause.
- A long-lasting result, provided weight remains stable.
The trade-off is a permanent scar along the upper arm. Most scars settle well over time, but they can take 2 to 3 years to fully mature, and anyone considering this surgery needs a good understanding of the nature of the scarring before going ahead.
The new contour is visible once the early swelling settles over the first few weeks, and the final result emerges as the scars mature. Results vary with individual anatomy and skin quality, and what surgery can achieve in your case is discussed honestly at consultation.
Who is an ideal candidate for arm lift surgery?
The ideal candidate for arm lift surgery has loose upper-arm skin with reduced elasticity — most often after significant weight loss or with age — and is at a stable weight.
- Excess, sagging skin of the upper arm that does not improve with exercise.
- Skin laxity too great for liposuction alone to correct.
- A weight that has been stable for several months before surgery.
- A non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery.
- An informed acceptance of a permanent scar in exchange for a better contour.
Where the main issue is fatty tissue with good skin elasticity and little excess skin, liposuction alone may be the more appropriate option. Mr Will Anderson assesses the pattern of skin and fat at consultation and gives an honest recommendation, including where surgery is not advisable.
Risks and considerations of arm lift surgery
Arm reduction surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia. The risks of general anaesthesia include deep vein thrombosis(clots in your legs – 1-2 out of every 100 patients) and pulmonary embolism(when the clot breaks off and spreads to your lungs – less than 1 in 100 patients). A pulmonary embolus can rarely be fatal. We take precautions to minimise the risk of these. Other risks of general anaesthesia include chest infection.
The risk of an adverse outcome after a planned general anaesthetic is approximately 1 in 100,000.
The risks specific to arm reduction surgery include:
Bleeding
Bleeding
If a collection of blood forms (haematoma) a return to theatre may be required to remove this.
Bruising and swelling
Bruising and swelling
To be expected and may take 2 to 3 weeks to subside
Infection
Infection
Relatively uncommon and usually treated with antibiotics.
Delayed wound healing
Delayed wound healing
It is quite common to have small areas that take longer to heal than others. Rarely, larger areas of the wound may open and require dressings for several weeks until they are healed.
Scars
Scars
Scars are permanent. The length and quality of the scarring is the main downside to having arm reduction surgery. You will be shown images of the full extent of scarring including examples of poor scarring. It may take 2 to 3 years for the scars to fully mature and settle down and in a small number of patients scarring may remain poor.
Asymmetry
Asymmetry
It is common to have minor degrees of asymmetry.
Under or over correction
Under or over correction
We will always endeavour to remove the right amount of skin, but sometimes there may be some residual skin left. It is preferable to take less rather than more as removing too much skin will increase the risk of wound healing problems.
Numbness
Numbness
You will have patches of numbness on the inner aspect of your arm, and most of these will recover over time, but it is common to be left with small areas that are permanently numb.
Revision
Revision
A small number of patients will require revisional surgery to deal with unsatisfactory outcomes or problems resulting from complications.
Aftercare and recovery after arm lift surgery
You will be seen one week after surgery by the nurses to have your outer dressings removed. Bruising and swelling are expected and may take two to three weeks to subside. Most patients take one to two weeks off work, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks.
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
What is the cost of arm lift surgery?
Arm lift surgery at Quaba starts from £8,800.
- Arm lift (brachioplasty): from £8,800.
The price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee at Waterfront Private Hospital, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
The full price for your individual case can only be confirmed after a face-to-face consultation with the consultant who will perform your surgery.
Our consultation fee with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200. Where a further consultation would help you reach a decision, this is offered without additional charge.
Frequently asked questions about arm lift surgery
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my arm lift?
Will the same surgeon plan, perform and review my arm lift?
Yes. Arm lift surgery at Quaba is performed by Mr Will Anderson, a consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register. The consultant who assesses you at your first appointment is the consultant who plans your surgery, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital, and reviews you afterwards.
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
What happens if I have concerns after my surgery?
A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available — if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.
How much does arm lift surgery cost?
How much does arm lift surgery cost?
Arm lift surgery at Quaba starts from £8,800. The price covers the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital and theatre fee at Waterfront Private Hospital, and all post-operative reviews until you are fully discharged.
Is an arm lift the same as bingo wings removal?
Is an arm lift the same as bingo wings removal?
“Bingo wings” is an informal name for the loose skin that hangs from the upper arm. An arm lift (brachioplasty) is the surgical procedure that removes this excess skin and fat and tightens the contour of the upper arm.
Will an arm lift leave a scar?
Will an arm lift leave a scar?
Yes. The scar runs along the upper arm and is permanent; the length and quality of the scarring is the main downside of the procedure. The scar is generally positioned toward the back of the arm, where it is not noticeable when the arms are down by the sides, and most scars settle over 2 to 3 years.
Can liposuction treat my arms instead of an arm lift?
Can liposuction treat my arms instead of an arm lift?
Liposuction is useful when there is fatty tissue, not too much excess skin, and reasonable skin elasticity. Where the skin is loose and its elasticity reduced — common after significant weight loss — surgical removal of skin remains the most reliable option. The right choice is assessed at consultation.
How long does it take to recover from an arm lift?
How long does it take to recover from an arm lift?
Most patients take one to two weeks off work. Bruising and swelling may take two to three weeks to subside, and strenuous exercise should be avoided for six weeks.
When will I see the final result of my arm lift?
When will I see the final result of my arm lift?
The new contour is visible once the early swelling settles over the first few weeks. The scars take longer — up to 2 to 3 years to fully mature and fade.
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Arm lift surgery is often performed as part of body contouring after major weight loss, alongside procedures such as abdominoplasty or thigh reduction. Whether a combination is appropriate for your case is decided at consultation.
Will the excess skin come back after an arm lift?
Will the excess skin come back after an arm lift?
The skin that is removed does not return. The contour of the arm will continue to change naturally with age, and significant weight change after surgery can affect the result.
Author
Mr Will Anderson is a fully accredited Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Edinburgh on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery (3679250). Having served as an NHS Consultant since 2008, he specialises in reconstructive, cosmetic and laser surgery, and holds an MSc from University College London. He practises at Quaba Plastic Surgery and Waterfront Private Hospital.