An arm lift, or otherwise known as brachioplasty, can remove the excess skin and fat deposits, leaving the upper arms with a more pleasing and youthful contour. Loose, sagging skin is often the result of aging or dramatic weight fluctuation such as after gastric bypass surgery. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. It can incorporate liposuction as well as skin removal. In moderate laxity problems skin resection is done in axillary region (armpit) to hide the scar.

The majority of patients are massive weight loss patients that have stabilized their weight loss and do not have out of control medical problems. They present with excess skin and fat in their upper arms. Many of these patients complain that their arms feel and look like “bat wings”.

           In the cases with severe skin laxity generally a vertical elliptical skin resection is necessary on the back side of the arm for the correction of the deformity. The resulting scar is on the back side along the arm. Since the scar of vertical resection is visible it is reserved for the cases with severe skin laxity. The incision is somewhat conspicuous as it extends from the armpit region to the elbow. Patients are advised to wear a compression garment after surgery and avoid strenuous upper body activity.