What is it and how is it done?
The skin on the inner and back of the upper arm can lose its elasticity after major weight loss or with age. When the arm is raised to the side, a layer of skin and fat hangs down; this can make sleeveless clothes harder to wear and cause irritation in the skin folds. Because the problem lies in the skin and the fat beneath it rather than in the muscle, exercise strengthens the muscles but does not tighten sagging skin. An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes this excess skin and tightens the skin that remains.
The method is chosen according to the balance of skin and fat. If skin elasticity is good and the problem is mainly excess fat, liposuction alone may be enough, as the skin adapts to the new volume. If the skin is loose and sagging, removing fat alone can make the sagging worse; skin then needs to be removed, and liposuction is often used alongside it in the same operation. If the sagging is limited to the area near the armpit, a short-scar arm lift with the scar in the armpit may be enough. If it extends to the elbow, a standard arm lift is considered, and after massive weight loss, an extended technique in which the scar continues from the armpit onto the side of the chest.
The trade-off of an arm lift is the scar, and it is important to be realistic about it. With the standard technique, the scar runs along the inner arm from the armpit towards the elbow. It is largely hidden when the arms are by your sides but can be seen when the arms are raised or in sleeveless clothes. The scar may be pink and raised in the first months; it usually lightens and flattens over 12–18 months but does not disappear. The key question when deciding is whether the sagging or the scar is more acceptable to you.
Your weight should have been stable for at least a few months; after bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, weight usually settles within 12–18 months. Because protein, iron and vitamin deficiencies after major weight loss can affect wound healing, blood tests are carried out. After surgery, a compression garment is worn for several weeks to reduce swelling and support the tissues.
At his practice in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı assesses where the excess skin is and how much there is, the fat distribution and skin quality, and asks about any swelling in the arm or hand and any previous armpit surgery. The suitable method and where the scar will run are shown on your arm at the examination. Operations take place in accredited partner hospitals.
What are the aims?
- To remove the sagging excess skin on the inner upper arm.
- To reduce the sagging that appears when the arm is raised to the side.
- To slim the arm by reducing excess fat with liposuction where needed.
- To give the arm a smoother, more proportionate line from the armpit to the elbow.
- To help clothes fit the arms more comfortably and to reduce irritation in the skin folds.
Who is it suitable for?
- People with sagging skin on the upper arms after major weight loss.
- Those whose arm skin has loosened with age and whose sagging has not improved with exercise.
- Those whose weight has been stable for at least a few months.
- Those who can accept a permanent scar on the inner arm.
- Those whose general health is suitable for anaesthesia and surgery.
- Non-smokers, or smokers who can stop before and after surgery.
When is it postponed or not recommended?
- Those who are still losing weight or plan significant weight loss soon; the arms may sag again.
- Those who do not wish to accept a long scar on the inner arm; more limited options are discussed in that case.
- Those with lymphoedema or unexplained swelling in the arm or hand, or previous surgery on the lymph nodes in the armpit; a detailed assessment is needed first, and surgery may not be advised.
- Those with uncontrolled diabetes, nutritional deficiencies or conditions that impair wound healing; these need to be corrected first.
Alternatives
- Arm liposuction
- If skin elasticity is good and the problem is mainly fat, it may be enough on its own; it does not remove loose skin and can even make it more noticeable.
- Short-scar (armpit) arm lift
- If the sagging is limited to the area near the armpit, the scar can stay in the armpit; it does not correct sagging that extends to the elbow.
- Exercise and weight control
- These improve muscle tone and may reduce body fat, but they do not tighten loose skin.
- Non-surgical skin tightening
- For very mild laxity, energy-based devices can give limited tightening; with marked excess skin their effect falls short.
The process step by step
- 1
First contact
You can send photos taken from the front and with your arms raised to the side, together with your questions, by WhatsApp or e-mail, or call the practice. This information gives you a general idea of the options and helps plan the examination; the medical assessment and the decision take place at the examination in Nişantaşı.
- 2
Examination and planning
At the practice in Nişantaşı, Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı assesses the excess skin and fat distribution; the method, whether liposuction is needed and where the scar will run are decided together.
- 3
Preparation for surgery
Blood tests, nutritional markers where needed and an anaesthesia assessment are carried out. Smoking is stopped at least 4 weeks beforehand, and your medications are adjusted with the doctor's approval.
- 4
Day of surgery
Surgery takes place under general anaesthesia in an accredited partner hospital. Excess skin is removed, together with liposuction if needed, and the wound is closed in layers.
- 5
Early check-ups
You go home the same day or after one night. A compression garment is worn, and dressings and wounds are checked within the first two weeks.
- 6
Long-term follow-up
Check-ups usually take place at 3 and 6 months and at one year, when the maturing of the scar and the settling of the arm contour are monitored.
Recovery timeline
Days 1–3
The arms feel tight, swollen and bruised. They are kept raised above heart level on pillows, the compression garment is worn at all times, and the hands and fingers are moved often.
Week 1
Light daily tasks such as eating and washing your face are possible. Raising the arms above shoulder level and reaching for things are limited.
Week 2
Wounds are checked. Returning to desk work is usually possible during this period.
Weeks 3–6
The compression garment is usually worn throughout this period. Heavy lifting, sports that strain the arms and holding the arms up for long periods are still not advised.
After week 6
After a check-up, exercise and weight training are resumed gradually.
Months 3–6
Swelling decreases considerably and the arm contour becomes clearer; the scar may still be pink and firm at this stage.
Months 12–18
The scar matures, lightens and flattens; the result is usually assessed at this point.
Risks and possible complications
Every surgical procedure carries risks. Your personal risk is assessed in detail at the consultation.
- Thickened, widened or raised scars; how visible the scar is varies from person to person, and scar treatment is sometimes needed.
- Wound separation or delayed healing near the armpit, which usually heals with dressings.
- Fluid collection (seroma) or blood collection (haematoma), drained when needed.
- Numbness or altered sensation on the inner arm or forearm, caused by effects on the skin nerves that run through this area; it often lessens over months and is rarely permanent.
- Prolonged swelling of the forearm and hand because lymph flow is affected; rarely, permanent lymphoedema can develop.
- Infection, usually treated with antibiotics.
- Asymmetry between the arms, small skin excesses at the ends of the scar or remaining laxity; a minor correction is sometimes needed.
- Anaesthesia-related risks and, rarely, blood clots in the legs.
What determines the cost?
The fee for an arm lift depends on the amount of excess skin and the method chosen. A short-scar (armpit) arm lift, a standard arm lift extending to the elbow and an extended technique reaching the side of the chest require different operating times. Added liposuction, anaesthesia time, whether an overnight hospital stay is needed and post-operative items such as the compression garment also affect the fee.
If an arm lift is planned in the same session as another procedure, such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift, the total operating time and hospital stay change. For this reason, the fee is not set without an examination. After the consultation with Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı, you receive a written quote that itemises the planned procedures and states what is included.
If you are coming to Istanbul
Patients coming from abroad are usually advised to plan on staying in Istanbul for 5–7 days after an arm lift, during which the first dressing change and wound checks take place; the exact length of stay depends on any accompanying procedures and is confirmed at the examination. The practice is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health for international health tourism (certificate no. ST-2365); help with accommodation near the clinic and airport transfer can be arranged through authorised partners. Back home, you stay in touch with the practice by sending photos and messages; if something needs to be examined, a check-up in Istanbul or a visit to a local doctor is arranged. Return visits are usually advised at 3 and 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Is an arm lift painful?
An arm lift is performed under general anaesthesia, so you feel no pain during the procedure. In the first days after surgery, the arms feel tight and tender, sometimes with a burning sensation; for most patients this discomfort is controlled with pain relief. Keeping the arms raised on pillows and wearing the compression garment help to reduce swelling and tightness. The discomfort usually eases considerably within the first week.
When can I go back to work after an arm lift?
Returning to desk work after an arm lift is usually possible within 1–2 weeks. For jobs that involve raising the arms often, carrying heavy loads or intensive arm movement, this can extend to 4–6 weeks. The compression garment is usually worn for 3–6 weeks. Returning to exercise and weight training usually takes about 6 weeks; the exact timing is set at check-ups according to how the wounds are healing.
Where is the scar after an arm lift?
After an arm lift, the scar runs along the inner arm from the armpit towards the elbow; if the sagging is only near the armpit, the scar can be kept shorter and within the armpit. With the arms by your sides the scar is largely hidden, but it can be noticed when the arms are raised or in sleeveless clothes. It may be pink and raised in the first months and usually lightens and flattens over 12–18 months, but it is permanent. Scar care and sun protection improve its appearance.
Is liposuction enough for my arms, or do I need an arm lift?
If skin elasticity in the arms is good and the problem is mainly excess fat, liposuction alone may be enough; once the fat is removed, the skin adapts to the new volume. If the skin is loose and sagging, removing fat alone can make the sagging worse; the excess skin then has to be removed, which means an arm lift. In many people both methods are used together in the same operation. Which suits you is decided at the examination, based on skin quality and where the sagging is.
How long after weight loss can I have an arm lift, and is there an age limit?
For an arm lift, your weight should have been stable for at least a few months. After bariatric surgery, weight loss usually settles within 12–18 months, and an arm lift is mostly planned after that. If weight loss continues, the arms may sag again. Because protein, iron and vitamin deficiencies after major weight loss can affect wound healing, blood tests are carried out. There is no fixed age limit; general health is what decides.
Can an arm lift be combined with other operations?
An arm lift is often performed in the same operation as liposuction of the arms. After major weight loss, it can also be combined with a tummy tuck, breast lift or thigh lift. However, because the risk of clots and other complications rises with total operating time, extensive plans are often carried out in stages. Which procedures can be done together is decided at the examination, taking general health and operating time into account.
Are arm lift results permanent, and when will I see them?
The excess skin removed in an arm lift does not come back, and the arm contour lasts a long time as long as your weight stays stable. Ageing and gravity continue to affect the skin over time, and significant weight changes can also alter the result. Swelling decreases considerably within 3–6 months and the shape of the arm becomes clearer. As the scar matures, the result is usually assessed within 12–18 months.
Do smoking and my medications affect an arm lift?
Smoking and other nicotine products reduce blood flow to the tissues and increase the risk of wound separation, infection and poor scarring after an arm lift. For this reason, no nicotine should be used for at least 4 weeks before surgery and throughout recovery. Blood thinners and some herbal supplements can increase the risk of bleeding. The doctor decides which medication to stop and when; do not stop your regular medications on your own, and bring a full list to the consultation.
What does the cost of an arm lift depend on?
The cost of an arm lift depends on the amount of excess skin, whether a short-scar, standard or extended technique is used, whether liposuction is added and the length of surgery. Anaesthesia, whether an overnight hospital stay is needed and items such as the compression garment are also taken into account. Combining it with another procedure changes the total. After the examination, you receive a written quote that itemises the planned procedures and states what is included.
I am coming from abroad. How many days should I stay in Istanbul for an arm lift?
Patients coming from abroad are usually advised to plan on staying in Istanbul for 5–7 days after an arm lift. During this time the first dressing change and wound checks take place. On the journey home, keep wearing the compression garment and avoid lifting heavy luggage. Return visits are usually advised at 3 and 12 months to assess the scar and the result; in between, you stay in touch with the practice by sending photos and messages. The length of stay may vary with any accompanying procedures.
Last updated: · Responsible for content: Prof. Dr. İlker Yazıcı · info@ilkeryazici.com