Upper Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) in Austin, TX

A frustrating side effect of losing weight or getting older is acquiring loose skin. At Levesque Plastic Surgery, we offer arm lift surgery (also known as brachioplasty) as a correction for anyone who cannot seem to tone and tighten the arm with exercise and diet alone. Loose skin from the elbow to the upper arm is very common, especially for women and men who are advancing in age or have lost weight. Arm lift surgery removes this loose, hanging skin, often called "bat wings." Dr. Andre Y. Levesque, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Austin, TX, is very skilled at performing tightening and fat removal surgeries. If you would like to learn more about how brachioplasty can improve the look of your arms, please schedule a consultation at Levesque Plastic Surgery.

An arm lift is an aesthetic surgery that uses innovative techniques to slim and remove extra skin. If you avoid sleeveless clothes because of your flabby arms and want them to look fit and healthy again, then you could be an ideal candidate for arm lift surgery. To have this procedure, you should be in good overall health so that your body will heal well. Some of the main symptoms for patients who want an arm lift are hanging, loose skin on the upper arms and lost tightness of the skin. It is imperative that you are at or near your goal weight prior to your procedure.

Typically, your upper arm lift surgery will take place in an outpatient setting, unless multiple plastic surgeries are scheduled to be performed at the same time. An arm lift can be added to other procedures (like a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, or thigh lift) if Dr. Levesque decides it safe. Arm lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete. The loose skin will be surgically excised from the elbow up to the underarm. The incision will be made to be as concealed as possible, but it will leave a visible scar. If liposuction is required to remove stubborn fat, this will be performed as well. Once the skin is tightened, it will be sutured in place. You will need to keep the incisions sanitized, covered, and in compression garments.

Your recovery period will last around two weeks with lots of elevating the arms. It is important to give yourself plenty of time to heal. You use your arms for many things, so patients are encouraged to ease their way back into their usual routines. An appointment to remove sutures will be made around ten days after surgery. Compression garments should be worn until you are released by Dr. Levesque. For at least 4 – 5 weeks, all strenuous activity should be avoided, with the exception of short walks. If you observe excessive swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, hematoma (fluid buildup), infection, loss of feeling in the arms or hands, or heavy scarring, please call Levesque Plastic Surgery for help.

How much does arm lift surgery cost?
The cost for a surgical arm lift will depend on many factors. Before he can determine your costs, Dr. Levesque will listen to your wants and goals. Once your consultation is complete, he can create your treatment plan and estimate your costs. Levesque Plastic Surgery accepts many payment methods, and we can help you find low-interest financing.

Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
It is common for arm lift patients to combine this surgery with another procedure. This is sometimes called an upper body lift and may include liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), or breast surgery (breast lift). An arm lift is also commonly done as part of an after weight loss surgery for patients who have lost a large amount of weight and want full body contouring. During your consultation with Dr. Levesque, other surgeries can be discussed so your custom surgical plan fits all of your goals.

Will there be scars?
An arm lift involves making incisions to excise loose skin, which means there will be scarring from stitches. However, Dr. Levesque makes every effort to use small, thin incisions that are placed in less visible areas. After your surgery, ointments to assist in scar healing will be recommended along with other tips for scar care management. Dr. Levesque also suggests that you avoid sun exposure during the first year post-op to minimize scar discoloration. Most patients believe the benefits of a more toned arm outweigh the appearance of scars.

What results can I expect from an arm lift?
Arm lift surgery is done to correct hanging skin and stubborn pockets of fat. You should maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise to avoid a significant change in your weight, which could ultimately affect your results. Following your lift surgery, once your arms are fully healed and Dr. Levesque has authorized it, you can begin weight training. This is a great way to add shape to your arms by strengthening and toning the muscles.

Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
While there are several nonsurgical skin tightening procedures, most will only provide mild improvements. To address moderate to severe amounts of loose skin, a surgical arm lift is your best option. Along with eliminating excess skin, Dr. Levesque also liposuctions small amounts of fat and smoothes the remaining skin and tissue for a better result. If you are interested in nonsurgical treatments, Dr. Levesque can talk about all possible treatments during your consultation and help you decide which is best for your goals.

Whatever you call your "bat wings" or droopy skin on your arms, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Levesque considers it an opportunity to enhance your confidence with an arm lift cosmetic procedure. This advanced procedure offers patients the emotional and physical benefits that come with tighter, freer skin. If you are at or near a healthy weight but still cannot eliminate the stubborn flab that hangs from your upper arms, please call and schedule a private consultation at Levesque Plastic Surgery. Feel younger and fitter with arm lift surgery.

Call 512-640-0292 to schedule your consultation appointment.

The consultation appointment fee is $100 which is non-refundable, however can be applied to the cost of your surgery or towards the cost of other services.