Say goodbye to "bat wings" and hello to sleeveless confidence. An arm lift removes the loose, sagging skin that exercise can't fix—revealing toned, sculpted arms you'll be proud to show off.
Schedule Consultation View ResultsAn arm lift—medically called brachioplasty—is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, from the underarm to the elbow. The result is a smoother, more toned appearance that reflects the effort you've put into your body.
While exercise can strengthen your biceps and triceps, it can't tighten loose skin that has lost its elasticity. Whether from aging, weight loss, or genetics, that hanging skin under your arms won't respond to workouts. An arm lift is the only way to remove it and restore a youthful, sculpted contour.
The loose, hanging skin on the upper arms that many call "bat wings" can develop for several reasons—and unfortunately, no amount of tricep dips will fix it.
After significant weight loss, stretched skin loses its ability to snap back
Skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity over time, leading to sagging
Some people are simply predisposed to storing fat and developing loose skin in the arms
Years of sun exposure breaks down collagen and accelerates skin laxity
An arm lift does more than improve appearance—it can transform how you feel in your own skin.
Finally feel confident in sleeveless tops, tank tops, swimsuits, and dresses without covering up.
Remove the hanging skin that creates that "wing" appearance when you raise your arms.
Create balance between your arms and the rest of your body for a more harmonious silhouette.
Eliminate chafing, irritation, and the discomfort of excess skin rubbing during activity.
Let your hard work at the gym show—your toned muscles deserve to be seen.
Stop hiding your arms and start living fully—in every outfit, every season.
Not all arm lifts are the same. The technique I recommend depends on how much excess skin you have and where it's located.
For patients with mild skin laxity concentrated near the armpit. Uses a small crescent-shaped incision hidden entirely in the underarm.
The most common technique. An incision extends from the armpit down the inner arm toward the elbow, allowing removal of significant excess skin.
For patients with severe laxity extending onto the side of the chest. Incision continues from the arm into the lateral chest wall.
I haven't worn a sleeveless shirt in 15 years. Now I can't stop buying them! Dr. Neavin gave me my arms back.
Arm Lift Patient
"The key to a great arm lift is balancing skin removal with scar placement. I want you to love your arms in every position—raised, relaxed, and everything in between."
Arm lift surgery requires a delicate balance. Remove too little skin, and you won't see the improvement you want. Place the incision incorrectly, and the scar becomes visible when your arm is relaxed. With over 20 years of experience in body contouring, I've developed techniques that maximize your results while minimizing visible scarring.
I routinely combine brachioplasty with liposuction to both remove excess skin and sculpt the remaining fat for optimal contouring. For patients with good skin elasticity and primarily fat deposits, liposuction alone may be sufficient—we'll determine the best approach during your consultation.
All arm lift procedures are performed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care.
Here's what to expect from consultation through recovery.
We examine your arms, discuss your goals, review your medical history, and determine which technique will give you the best results. You'll see before-and-after photos of similar patients and leave with a clear surgical plan.
Arm lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes 1-3 hours depending on the technique. The incision is placed on the inner arm where it's least visible. Excess skin is removed, and if needed, liposuction sculpts the remaining fat.
You'll go home the same day wearing a compression garment. Keep your arms elevated as much as possible for the first few days. Avoid raising your arms above shoulder level for 1-2 weeks to protect healing incisions.
Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume full exercise at 4-6 weeks. You'll see improvement immediately, with final results visible once swelling fully resolves at 3-6 months.
Recovery from brachioplasty is manageable, but plan ahead for some temporary limitations.
Most soreness. Keep arms elevated. Take prescribed pain medication.
Bandages removed. Light walking OK. No lifting or raising arms.
Most return to desk jobs. Still avoid heavy lifting and exercise.
Resume exercise and all normal activities. Continue scar care.
Yes, arm lift surgery does leave scars—it's the trade-off for removing excess skin. Here's what you need to know.
Every arm lift involves an incision, and every incision leaves a scar. The length and visibility depend on how much skin needs to be removed. I place incisions on the inner arm where they're least visible when your arm is at your side.
Most patients feel the trade-off is absolutely worth it—they'd rather have a scar they can cover than hanging skin they can't hide.
Arm lift surgery isn't right for everyone. Here's how to know if it might be right for you.
Stop hiding your arms. Schedule a consultation to discuss how an arm lift can help you feel confident in every outfit, every season.
Schedule Consultation (310) 858-8811