Arm Lift Fort Worth
Sometimes, diet and exercise are simply not enough to achieve healthy, attractive arms. Brachioplasty, commonly referred to as an arm lift, is a body lifting procedure that removes excess soft tissues in the upper arms that have accumulated due to aging, genetics, or major weight loss. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily J. Kirby performs arm lift surgery in Fort Worth to help her patients achieve tighter, smoother, more contoured arms they are proud to show off.
How is an arm lift performed?
An arm lift is performed using surgical excision with or without liposuction to remove excess soft tissues in the upper arms. During your arm lift surgery, Dr. Kirby typically first performs liposuction to remove excess fat in the upper arms, if necessary. Next, she will make an incision(s) on the underside of your upper arms to remove loose and redundant tissues. Finally, she will use internal, dissolvable sutures to tighten and reshape your arm’s underlying supportive tissues. The desired result is smoother, tighter arms that reveal your natural muscle tone.
Female Plastic Surgeon Fort Worth
- Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
- Over 12 years of experience in private practice
- Founder and Medical Director of Kirby Plastic Surgery, Kalos Medical Spa, and City Surgery Center—a Quad A-accredited, state-of-the-art facility located onsite
- Specialist in breast surgery and body contouring, including postpartum
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2019
- First female Chief of Plastic Surgery, Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hospital
Where will I have my arm lift surgery?
Dr. Kirby performs arm lift surgery in her state-of-the-art, Quad A-accredited City Surgery Center at Kirby Plastic Surgery.
What kind of anesthesia will I have?
You may be given general anesthesia for your arm lift.
Real patient images from Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby
*Individual results may vary.
Will I have scars after my arm lift?
Although all plastic surgery requires some degree of scarring, Dr. Kirby takes great care to minimize scarring during arm lift surgery. Depending on your aesthetic goals and your unique physiology, your incisions are made on the underside of your arm, from the elbow to the armpit, and possibly beyond. If a mini brachioplasty is enough to correct your redundant tissues, you may only need one incision located within the armpit.
Arm lift incisions are closed using dissolving sutures, meaning you will not have to have your sutures removed postoperatively. Dr. Kirby will go over your scar care plan, including Embrace scar therapy and other options to help ensure that your scars heal as beautifully as possible.
“The staff was great and welcomed me warmly. Dr. Kirby never rushed to get to the next person, but rather answered all of my questions in detail. She’s very knowledgeable and certainly seems to know about the latest techniques – what works, what doesn’t and what was best for me and my body. Thank you Dr. Kirby!!”
What other procedures can complement an arm lift?
You may choose to combine one or more of the following breast and body contouring procedures to complement your arm lift results:
- A breast lift, clinically referred to as mastopexy, elevates breast tissue on the chest wall to reveal firmer, rounder, more youthful breasts. A breast lift can also remove excess tissues below the armpits to create a smooth transition between your chest and your newly contoured arms.
- A breast augmentation can increase your cup size, improve breast symmetry, and/or restore youthful curves, depending on your goals.
- A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin in the belly and groin to slim and strengthen the abdomen. A tummy tuck can also address stubborn fat and skin on the flanks.
Benefits of an arm lift
A Fort Worth arm lift can provide numerous benefits, including:
- Reveal your arm’s natural muscle tone
- Remove hanging upper arm skin (also called “bat wings”)
- Reduce chafing between the arms and torso
- Wear sleeveless tops and dresses with confidence
- Wear tight-fitting shirts comfortably
“From the beginning, it was apparent that Dr. Kirby is a caring individual who was interested in my welfare and recovery.”
Am I a good candidate for an arm lift?
Men and women who meet the following criteria may be good candidates for an arm lift:
- Are self-conscious about the appearance of your arms
- Upper arms appear loose or full from excess fat and skin
- Have stretched, hanging skin on your upper arms after weight loss
- Do not have any serious medical conditions
- Are a non-smoker
- Have realistic goals of what an arm lift may accomplish
During a personal consultation, Dr. Kirby will physically examine your arms and discuss your personal goals to develop an arm lift plan that meets your schedule and lifestyle.
Dr. Emily Kirby uses Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, also known as “multimodal analgesia,” to minimize recovery time, and we see real results: our patients experience less nausea and feel more alert, mobile, and comfortable after their procedures.
“I had very hard recoveries in the past…it took me weeks to get back to caring for my family. With Dr. Kirby, I had a wonderful recovery and was back to my activities surprisingly quickly. Don’t tell the doctor, but I was at my child’s sporting event the day after my surgery, and I felt great!”
—Real patient of Dr. Kirby
Arm lift recovery & results
After your arm lift surgery, you should expect to have some swelling, bruising, and temporary changes in sensation in your arms and torso for the first several weeks. You should refrain from lifting your arms above shoulder level and performing any excessive movements for 3 to 4 weeks.
You may be required to wear compression garments for the first 6 weeks following your surgery. Most people are able to return to sedentary work within 7 to 10 days, and light activity within 4 to 6 weeks. It typically takes arm lift patients about 6 weeks to fully recover from surgery.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Reduces excess skin and fat to improve arm contour
- Minimizes skin irritation and chafing
- Increases clothing options to include sleeveless and fitted garments
- Provides long-lasting results, especially when accompanied by a stable weight
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): A cosmetic surgical procedure aimed at removing excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a more toned and contoured appearance.
- Axillary Brachioplasty: A type of arm lift that focuses on removing excess skin and fat in the armpit area, often suitable for patients with moderate skin laxity.
- Compression Garments: Specialized clothing worn after surgery to apply pressure to the arm, reducing swelling, supporting the healing tissues, and helping the skin conform to the arm’s new shape.
- Excision: The surgical removal of skin and fat; in an arm lift, this involves creating incisions along the inner arm or back of the arm to remove the excess.
- General Anesthesia: Medication administered to induce sleep and relaxation during surgery.
- Incisions: Surgical cuts made by the surgeon; in an arm lift, the length and pattern of these incisions depend on the amount and location of the excess skin to be removed.
- Liposuction: A technique that may be used in conjunction with an arm lift to remove excess fat from the arms, enhancing the contouring effect of the procedure.
- Lymphedema: A potential complication characterized by swelling due to a blockage in the lymphatic system; patients with a history of lymphedema should discuss this with their surgeon.
- Postoperative Care: The care and instructions provided after surgery, including wound care, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments, crucial for a smooth recovery and optimal results from an arm lift.
- Recovery Time: The period after surgery during which the patient heals after arm lift surgery. This includes time for swelling and bruising to subside, and for the patient to gradually return to normal activities, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks. Recovery can be streamlined, but not rushed.
- Scar Management: Strategies to minimize the appearance of scars following an arm lift, including the use of silicone sheets, gels, and other treatments to improve the aesthetic outcome.
- Skin Elasticity: The skin’s ability to stretch and return to its original state, an important factor in determining the outcome of an arm lift, as better skin elasticity typically leads to smoother results.
- Subcutaneous Tissue: The layer of fat and connective tissue beneath the skin that is often targeted during an arm lift to remove excess fat and improve the arm’s contours.
References »
Rohrich RJ, Mohan R, Durand PD. Brachioplasty Refinements. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2020 Apr;145(4):754e-756e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000006688.
Reed LS. Brachioplasty with limited scar. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2014 Oct;41(4):753-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cps.2014.06.009.
Nagrath N, Winters R. Brachioplasty. 2023 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–.
Sisti A, Cuomo R, Milonia L, Tassinari J, Castagna A, Brandi C, Grimaldi L, D’Aniello C, Nisi G. Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review. Acta Biomedica. 2018 Jan 16;88(4):393-402. doi: 10.23750/abm.v88i4.5609.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily J. Kirby — Updated on Apr 11, 2024