Sleek, toned arms are no accident—they can take work at any age!
But even proper diet and exercise sometimes isn’t enough to resolve sagging skin or excess pockets of fat. If nonsurgical treatments aren’t sufficient in addressing your concerns, Heights Plastic Surgery offers an advanced surgical procedure called brachioplasty, also referred to as an arm lift, which can remove unwanted skin and/or fat from the upper arms. Not only does this help boost a patient’s self-image, it can also help your clothing fit better!
Brachioplasty, also known as: arm lift, arm fat removal, arm reduction \ BRAH-kee-yo-pla-stee \
Plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm
Procedure options: traditional arm lift, extended arm lift, hidden arm lift or mini arm lift, liposuction of the arms
Addresses Excessive upper arm skin ("batwings") after weight loss, Excessive arm fat, Sagging skin
Procedure Time 2-3 hours
Eligibility Female & Male, 18+, Non-Smoker
Possible Side Effects Bruising, Swelling, Soreness, Surgical Scars
Our highly personalized approach to each Houston brachioplasty patient translates to smooth, contoured arms that leave both men and women leaving our office more self-assured than when they walked in.
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Brachioplasty, commonly called an arm lift, is a surgical body-contouring procedure that removes excess skin and may reduce localized fat between the underarm and elbow. The remaining tissue is reshaped to create a smoother, firmer upper-arm contour.
Skin does not always contract after significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging. Strength training can build muscle beneath the skin, but it cannot remove tissue that has lost elasticity. Brachioplasty addresses that structural concern directly.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, every arm lift is tailored to the location and degree of laxity. Some patients need a traditional incision extending along the upper arm. Others qualify for a limited-incision approach concentrated near the underarm. Liposuction may be included when excess fat also affects the contour.
Brachioplasty is designed for excess skin and tissue along the upper arms.
Patients often consider surgery when their arms remain loose or disproportionately full despite reaching a healthy, stable weight. The procedure does leave a permanent scar. Good surgical planning balances that tradeoff against the improvement possible in shape, comfort, and proportion.
An arm lift can produce a degree of correction that exercise, skincare, and nonsurgical tightening cannot achieve once significant laxity is present.
Potential benefits include:
The strongest arm lift results feel balanced with the shoulders, chest, and rest of the body. The arms look cleaner and more defined without appearing artificially tight.
Good arm lift candidates are healthy adults with upper-arm skin laxity that is unlikely to respond meaningfully to exercise or nonsurgical treatment.
Patients who recently completed major weight loss should allow their weight to stabilize before surgery. Continued weight loss can create new laxity, while significant weight gain can alter the result.
Liposuction alone may be appropriate when excess fat is the primary concern and the skin has enough elasticity to contract afterward. Patients with substantial skin laxity generally need surgical excision. A limited-incision arm lift may suit mild laxity near the underarm, while an extended arm lift may be necessary when loose tissue continues toward the chest.
Preparation supports safer surgery, cleaner healing, and a more manageable recovery.
Your surgical team will provide specific instructions regarding food, liquids, prescriptions, bathing, and arrival time.
Brachioplasty is an outpatient procedure typically completed in approximately two to three hours. Anesthesia is administered for comfort before the planned incisions are made.
The surgical technique depends on the amount and location of excess skin:
A traditional brachioplasty uses an incision extending along the inner or back portion of the upper arm, often running between the underarm and elbow. Excess skin is removed, supportive tissue is reshaped, and the remaining skin is redraped over the new contour.
An extended arm lift continues beyond the upper arm toward the chest when significant laxity affects both areas. This approach is often useful after substantial weight loss.
A shorter incision placed near the underarm may be appropriate when laxity is mild and concentrated high on the arm. It cannot correct loose skin extending toward the elbow.
Liposuction may be performed with an arm lift to reduce localized fat and improve transitions between treated areas. In patients with firm, elastic skin, liposuction may occasionally be performed without skin removal.
Once contouring is complete, the incisions are closed in layers. Dressings and compression garments are placed to support the arms during early healing. Temporary drains may be used when needed.
Use our interactive virtual consultation tool to explore the plastic surgery procedures that might best fit your unique concerns.
Smoother upper-arm contours are visible soon after surgery, although swelling and bruising initially soften the definition. The arms continue to refine as inflammation resolves and the tissue settles.
Many patients see substantial improvement by approximately six weeks. Residual swelling can take several months to clear fully. Scars generally look firm, raised, or pink early in recovery before gradually flattening and fading.
Arm lift results can be long-lasting when patients maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. Surgery does not stop aging, and some relaxation of the skin may occur over time. Major weight fluctuations can create additional changes.
A visible scar remains after brachioplasty. Its final appearance depends on incision length, genetics, skin tone, wound healing, sun protection, scar care, and tension placed on the arms during recovery.
Recovery varies according to the surgical technique, incision length, use of liposuction, and physical demands of the patient’s job.
Swelling, bruising, soreness, and tightness are expected. Dressings and compression garments support the treated tissue. Patients should keep arm movement controlled and take prescribed medication as directed.
Many patients return to desk-based work within one to two weeks. Jobs involving lifting, reaching, driving, or repetitive arm movement may require additional time away. Patients are generally asked to avoid raising their arms above shoulder level during the early healing period. Your surgeon will provide a personalized timeline based on the incisions and how they are healing.
Walking and light activity usually resume before strenuous exercise. Swelling continues to improve, and the arm contour becomes clearer. Lifting restrictions remain important because excessive tension can widen scars or disrupt healing.
Many patients are cleared for progressively more demanding exercise around this stage. Running, yoga, strength training, and upper-body workouts should resume only after approval from the surgical team.
Brachioplasty in Houston typically ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000. Final pricing depends on the extent of skin removal, incision pattern, operating time, anesthesia, and whether liposuction or another body-contouring procedure is included.
You will receive a personalized quote after consultation with Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks. Because brachioplasty is usually considered cosmetic, health insurance typically does not cover it. Financing options may be available for qualified patients. Cost may be influenced by:
Careful aftercare protects the incisions and supports a smoother scar.
Contact Heights Plastic Surgery promptly for worsening redness, fever, increasing pain, unusual drainage, sudden one-sided swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Compression recommendations vary according to the procedure and healing progress. Some patients may wear garments for several weeks or longer. Your surgeon will determine the appropriate schedule rather than relying on a universal timeline.
If you're interested in a brachioplasty in Houston, you'll first meet with a physician for a one-on-one consultation. We take the time to get to know you—your goals, medical history, body type, and more.
When it comes to your brachioplasty Houston plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks collaborate on every patient case to best advise you on a unique approach to your brachioplasty to ensure your results meet your individual goals.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, our mission is to give you the information you need to decide what will work best for your desires, timeline, and budget. After we make recommendations, we give you the space and time to make your own decision about your brachioplasty surgery.
We will schedule your brachioplasty—an outpatient procedure performed in our private, on-site surgery center—for a day and time that works best for you. You'll want to factor in about 1 to 2 weeks of downtime from everyday activities and work after your procedure.
We will provide you with all of the ways you can best prepare for the procedure well in advance of your brachioplasty in Houston. When you arrive, we will escort you to our state-of-the-art surgical suite and review our process in detail once more.
Your highly skilled surgeon will be in the operating room from start to finish, executing every detail of your agreed-upon plan for your arm lift. Make sure you plan to have a plan for getting home after your procedure, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
Following your brachioplasty Houston plastic surgeons at Heights Plastic Surgery will also book you for follow-up visits to meet with your surgeon to monitor your recovery. This important step ensures you are healing properly, safely, and efficiently.
Heights Plastic Surgery, led by board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Downey and Dr. Bullocks, is proud to offer state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures to residents of Houston and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to offer you a welcoming environment, a phenomenal patient experience, and cutting-edge technology that you won’t find anywhere else in Texas.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, we elevate your experience by bringing highly focused specialists together under one roof. Your aesthetic goals are guided by a team of board-certified plastic surgeons who have collectively published over 60 peer-reviewed medical papers and lectured around the world.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Cara Downey (who has been featured in Vogue) blends deep clinical knowledge with a vital female perspective to deliver elegant, beautifully natural-looking outcomes. Dr. Jamal Bullocks is a board-certified plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert who pairs extensive research with international leadership, bringing absolute precision to every procedure. Dr. Megan Swonke is a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon and an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, whose unique background allows her to focus deeply on balance and harmony for the face and neck.
Our private, in-house surgery center offers the highest levels of safety, comfort, and privacy, and our comprehensive skin and wellness care ensures your aesthetic journey is entirely seamless. When you choose Heights Plastic Surgery, you are giving yourself the highest caliber of collaborative care from trusted experts who elevate beauty and empower confidence.
Many patients who have recently undergone a major weight loss, or are starting to notice their skin is sagging with age, have come in asking how they can get rid of their “batwing.” While some over-the-counter products and non-surgical procedures can help, surgery is often needed to correct this stretched skin. In Houston brachioplasty, also known as Arm lift surgery, is a procedure used to tighten and remove excess skin under the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.
Board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Cara Downey and Dr. Jamal Bullocks, are experts in helping patients get the look they desire with body contouring procedures. For over 15 years, they have helped hundreds of men and women in Houston and its surrounding areas achieve the body shape and sleek silhouette they have always desired.
The average cost of your brachioplasty in Houston typically ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. The total cost for your arm lift will depend on factors such as your surgeon’s fee, the location of your procedure, and other miscellaneous medical expenses.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, we accept cash and all major credit cards. We are also happy to offer financing through CareCredit® for patients. Because an arm lift is typically more about cosmetic appearance and is less of a medical necessity, it is not covered by most insurance plans.
At Heights Plastic Surgery, good candidates for a brachioplasty experience the following concerns:
Ideal candidates for a brachioplasty are in good general health and have realistic expectations of their potential results. Patients will be required to be near or at their ideal body weight to qualify for an arm lift. The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for an arm lift is to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks.
An arm lift is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about two to three hours to complete. To begin, an anesthetic will be administered to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free throughout your surgery. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will then perform a combination of any of the following arm lift techniques. The surgical techniques Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will use during your arm lift will be discussed while developing your personalized treatment plan during your one-on-one consultation.
Following a brachioplasty Houston patients will be fitted with compression garments. These garments will need to be worn for up to three months, as they aid in reducing your swelling and promoting your healing. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks may also provide you with prescription medication that can help manage your pain. You will be able to resume taking full-body showers about two days following your arm lift. We ask that you avoid putting your arms above shoulder height for at least one to three weeks to ensure your incisions heal properly.
Most patients return to work after about one to two weeks, depending on the nature of your job. Houston Brachioplasty Plastic Surgeons Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will likely clear you to resume normal daily activities and mild exercise, including long walks, after about three weeks. We ask that you wait about six to eight weeks to resume more strenuous activities such as yoga and running. At six to eight weeks, your scars should begin to fade and continue to gradually improve over time. While you will see most results of your arm lift after just six weeks, ultimate results will not become apparent until all swelling subsides and the skin has settled into its new position.
Heights Plastic Surgery Membership Plans
When skin maintenance and aesthetics-inspired wellness protocols become part of your regular routine, your body stays nourished, collagen production stays active, and you feel refreshed, day in and day out. Our Heights Plastic Surgery membership offerings remove the guesswork of your next visit, making it easy to stay true to your plan while enjoying preferred pricing on treatments.
The Diamond Club membership includes one clinical treatment each month (such as a Hydrafacial, chemical peel, or IPL photofacial), plus an exclusive 10% discount on surgical cases and additional medical spa services.
The Essex Society membership provides a personalized approach to longevity, offering comprehensive baseline lab panels, monthly body composition tracking, complimentary wellness injections, and tiered savings on peptide regimens and medspa treatments.
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