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An arm lift (brachioplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a firmer, smoother contour. It is most often chosen by people left with loose, hanging skin after significant weight loss, or whose skin has lost elasticity with age. Because the amount of loose skin varies from person to person, the technique — from a short incision hidden in the armpit to a full inner-arm lift — is tailored to you.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: adults at a stable weight with loose or sagging upper-arm skin that does not improve with exercise.
Less ideal if: you are still actively losing weight, smoke and cannot stop around surgery, or would find a permanent inner-arm scar difficult to accept.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Removes loose, hanging upper-arm skin that exercise alone cannot correct
- Creates a firmer, smoother and more defined arm contour
- Clothing often fits more comfortably, with less chafing and skin irritation
- Can be combined with liposuction for more complete reshaping
- Results are typically long-lasting when weight remains stable
Risks & considerations
- A permanent scar along the inner arm, which fades over time but does not disappear
- Bleeding, infection or fluid build-up (seroma) around the wound
- Numbness or altered sensation in the arm, usually temporary but occasionally lasting
- Asymmetry or contour irregularity that may need revision surgery
- Delayed wound healing, particularly in smokers
- General anaesthetic risks, assessed individually before surgery
Am I a candidate?
- You have loose or sagging skin on the upper arms, often after significant weight loss
- Your weight has been stable for several months
- You are in good general health and do not smoke, or can stop around the time of surgery
- You accept a permanent inner-arm scar as the trade-off for a firmer contour
- You have realistic expectations of what surgery can and cannot achieve
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
An arm lift is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes one to two hours, depending on how much skin is removed and whether liposuction is combined. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat through an incision usually placed along the inner arm, then closes it in layers; a compression garment supports the new contour. Most people are up and walking within a day, avoid heavy lifting and stretching for several weeks, and see swelling settle over the following months. The main risks — a permanent scar, bleeding, infection, altered sensation and delayed wound healing — are discussed fully before you decide.
What is an arm lift?
An arm lift — known medically as brachioplasty — is an operation that removes loose skin and, where needed, stubborn pockets of fat from the upper arms. When skin has been stretched by significant weight gain and loss, or has lost elasticity with age, it often cannot tighten back on its own. Exercise can strengthen the underlying muscle, but it cannot shrink skin that no longer has the elasticity to retract. An arm lift addresses this directly: the excess tissue is removed, the remaining skin is re-draped, and the arm takes on a firmer, more defined shape.
The procedure is especially common after major weight loss, including after bariatric surgery, and is often planned alongside other post-weight-loss procedures such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift — either in a single combined operation or in stages, depending on what is safe and sensible for you.
How an arm lift works
On the day of surgery, the treating surgeon marks the arms while you are standing, so the planned skin removal matches how your arms naturally hang. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and typically takes one to two hours. In many cases liposuction is used first to thin the fat layer, before the excess skin is removed and the incision is closed in layers. Dressings and a compression garment are applied to support the new contour and help control swelling.
The incision pattern depends on how much loose skin there is:
| Technique | Where the incision sits | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| Limited (mini) arm lift | Hidden within the armpit crease | Mild looseness close to the armpit |
| Standard arm lift | Along the inner arm, from the armpit towards the elbow | Moderate to significant loose skin |
| Extended arm lift | Continues from the armpit onto the side of the chest | Extensive laxity after major weight loss |
Where skin quality is still good and the main concern is excess fat, liposuction alone may occasionally be enough. The treating surgeon assesses this honestly at consultation rather than defaulting to the larger operation.
Recovery: what to expect
Recovery varies from person to person, but the general arc looks like this:
| Stage | What is typical |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Tightness, swelling and bruising; arms kept elevated where possible; gentle walking is encouraged from day one |
| First 1–2 weeks | Compression garment worn as advised; dressings checked; many people return to desk-based work towards the end of this period |
| 1–3 months | Light exercise resumes with the surgeon’s approval; most swelling settles; scars are still pink and firm |
| Longer term | Scars gradually soften and fade over a year or more; the final contour becomes established |
You will be asked to avoid heavy lifting, repetitive arm movements and stretching the arms overhead in the early weeks, and to protect the healing scar from sun exposure. Warning signs such as increasing redness, discharge or fever should always be reported promptly, wherever you are in your recovery.
Results and longevity
An arm lift produces a visible change: the loose fold of skin along the underside of the arm is removed, and the improvement is usually apparent as soon as the early swelling subsides. The trade-off is a permanent scar, which in most cases matures into a flat, pale line but remains visible on close inspection.
Results are typically long-lasting, because the excess skin does not return. That said, no operation stops the ageing process, and future weight fluctuations can stretch the skin again — which is why surgeons recommend reaching and holding a stable weight before going ahead. A small number of patients may later choose scar revision or a minor adjustment; this possibility is discussed openly at consultation.
Having an arm lift in Türkiye
As a medical travel facilitator, we coordinate arm lift surgery at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye. Before you commit to anything, your photographs and medical history are reviewed so the treating surgeon can advise whether an arm lift — or a smaller alternative — is genuinely appropriate, and you receive a free, no-obligation personalised treatment plan.
Packages are all-inclusive and transparent, typically covering the procedure, hospital fees, hotel accommodation, airport and clinic transfers, and an English-speaking patient coordinator who stays with you throughout. Before you fly home, the treating surgeon reviews your wounds and confirms you are fit to travel; after your return to the UK, follow-up continues remotely with photo updates and direct access to the medical team. You can read more about how each stage works on our patient journey page.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice; suitability can only be confirmed after an individual assessment.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
Will there be a scar after an arm lift? +
Yes — an arm lift usually leaves a scar along the inner arm or within the armpit crease, depending on the technique used. The scar fades considerably over the first year or so but never disappears entirely, and most people find it sits discreetly when the arms are relaxed by their sides. The treating surgeon will show you exactly where your incision would run before you decide.
How long is recovery after an arm lift? +
Most people return to desk-based work within one to two weeks of an arm lift and resume light exercise after around four to six weeks, once the treating surgeon confirms it is safe. Heavy lifting and stretching the arms overhead are limited for longer, and residual swelling continues to settle over several months. Your personalised plan sets out a timeline for your individual case.
Can an arm lift be combined with liposuction? +
Yes — where appropriate, liposuction is often performed during the same arm lift operation to remove excess fat before the loose skin is excised, which can improve the final contour. The treating surgeon assesses at consultation whether a combined approach suits your arms, or whether liposuction alone might be enough.
Is an arm lift painful? +
You are asleep under general anaesthetic during an arm lift, so you feel nothing during the operation itself. Afterwards, tightness, bruising and soreness are common for the first week or so and are usually manageable with prescribed pain relief. Most people describe discomfort rather than severe pain, though this varies from person to person.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for an arm lift? +
Patients typically stay in Türkiye for around five to seven days for an arm lift, which allows time for the pre-operative assessment, the surgery itself, any overnight hospital stay and a wound check before departure. Your free personalised treatment plan confirms the exact length of stay recommended for your case.
When can I fly home after an arm lift? +
Flying home is typically possible around five to seven days after an arm lift, once the treating surgeon has reviewed your wounds and confirmed you are fit to travel. You may be advised to keep mobile and stay well hydrated during the flight, and your personalised plan confirms the exact timing for you.
How long do arm lift results last? +
Arm lift results are generally long-lasting, because the excess skin that is removed does not grow back. Significant weight changes, ageing and sun exposure can gradually affect skin quality, so keeping your weight stable is the most important factor in preserving the new contour.
When will I see my arm lift results? +
An improved arm shape is usually noticeable within the first few weeks after an arm lift, as the initial swelling starts to subside. The final result develops gradually over several months while residual swelling settles, and the scar continues to soften and fade for a year or more.