Procedure — body
Arm Lift / Reduction
For people who are looking to recontour their upper arms, an arm lift / reduction may provide the best solution. The medical term for this procedure is brachioplasty, which involves the use of surgical techniques to remove excess skin. By reducing the amount of sagging skin, the arms can be free of wobbly flesh, often referred to as ‘bingo wings’.
Sagging skin (bingo wings) on the upper part of the arm can result from a loss in elasticity as a person gets older, or from having lost weight. This concern is not a harmful concern but can leave a person feeling self-conscious with the appearance of their arms, especially when wearing certain items of clothing.
For people who are looking to recontour their upper arms, an arm lift / reduction may provide the best solution. The medical term for this procedure is brachioplasty, which involves the use of surgical techniques to remove excess skin. By reducing the amount of sagging skin, the arms can be free of wobbly flesh, often referred to as ‘bingo wings’.
Sagging skin (bingo wings) on the upper part of the arm can result from a loss in elasticity as a person gets older, or from having lost weight. This concern is not a harmful concern but can leave a person feeling self-conscious with the appearance of their arms, especially when wearing certain items of clothing.
At a Glance
Duration
Up to 2 hours
Type Of Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic
Return To Work (job dependent)
2 weeks
Day Case / Overnight
Overnight stay
Bra / Garment To Be Worn For
As advised
Return To Gym
Up to 6 weeks
In-depth Procedure Information
The Consultation
By attending a consultation at Reshape & Restore, you can explore the options available to help restore a youthful and slender look to the arms. Our leading consultants understand how feeling confident with your appearance contributes to a positive well-being and offer their expert recommendations and advice in order to achieve this.
Your surgeon will ensure that after assessing your concerns, they will give a full explanation of the procedure involved, including: how it is carried out, what to expect during your recovery and the results that are realistic to you. Giving you the option to speak with a previous patient is a unique part of the consultation process at Reshape & Restore. By sharing in another person’s experiences, you can see how effective the procedure can be, as well as learning the positive outcomes that can be had.
The Procedure
The length of the incision that is required will usually depend on the extent of your sagging skin. Typically, this will be made on the underside of the upper arm and will run from the armpit to the elbow – the length of the incision required will be discussed during consultation. By placing it here, any scarring may be less noticeable when your arms are in their regular lowered position.
From this incision, any fatty tissue can be accessed and removed if necessary, before trimming the excess skin. The wound will be pulled together and tightened before stitches are administered and dressings are applied.
In some cases, liposuction is used to remove fat or other tissue. An arm lift can be performed in combination with a series of procedures, including a thigh lift and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to help reshape the overall look of the body. This series of procedures can benefit those who have achieved significant weight loss and find that various areas of the body are left with excess / sagging skin.
Aftercare & Results
Following an arm lift procedure, you will find that the arms will be sore and tender, with swelling and bruising. Post operative discomfort can be managed through suitable pain relief, which will be advised before you are discharged. A follow-up appointment will be arranged with you, one week after the procedure when your wounds will be assessed and your dressings changed. Healing can take up to 6 weeks, and for the first week or two it is advised that when your arms are resting, you should place them on pillows to keep them elevated – which will help to minimise swelling.
You may need to keep arm movements to a minimum for around 1 month and with each follow-up appointment, your surgeon will assess your recovery and advise when to resume certain activities. You will be given advice on how best to care for your wounds as they heal so that the appearance of scarring is as minimal as possible.
The full results of an arm lift procedure may be visible in around 6 weeks. By removing excess sagging skin and fatty tissue, the arms can find a more slender form. This can help to improve your confidence when revealing the upper part of the arms, especially in warmer weather when short sleeves and sleeveless clothing is preferred.
FAQ's
The main aim of an arm lift / reduction is to reduce the look of sagging skin on the underside of the upper arm. This appearance can be the result of general ageing as a person’s skin loses elasticity, often accompanied by natural fatty deposits that settle inside this pocket. These factors contribute to the wobbly skin that hangs from the arm when they are raised, which also makes the arms generally look soft and less toned. Weight gain affects the slimmer contouring of the arms and in cases where significant weight is lost, stretched skin can also cause the characteristic look of ‘bingo wings’.
The appearance of unwanted excess skin on the arms can lead to lost confidence and a less positive body image. Improving this appearance by removing, lifting and tightening floppy skin on the arms can help to improve body confidence and create a more youthful and toned look to this part of the body.
You will always be in safe hands at Reshape & Restore. The leading plastic surgery consultants who perform these procedures apply their expert medical knowledge and skilled craft to carrying out effective and successful procedures. Patient welfare is at the heart of their ethos and by using careful and precise techniques will ensure this part of their service is upheld.
Swelling, bruising and general tenderness is to be expected following the arm lift procedure. Several weeks will need to be allowed for a full recovery with which pain relief and wound care will be a big part.
In less common cases bleeding, numbness, irregular contouring, blood clots and infection can occur. These effects will have been explained to you during the consultation and Reshape & Restore are always contactable should you have any concerns following surgery.
Reshape & Restore will ensure you are fully aware of any preparations you need to make, before the procedure takes place. This can include: stopping smoking, stopping certain medications, not shaving or waxing the treatment area, ensuring you are in good health and taking steps to ensure you are as close to your ideal weight as you can be.
Prices From
£5500
Plastic surgery procedures are not off the peg but tailor made, bespoke procedures that vary from person to person. The above prices act as a guide in the standard or average case. The actual cost of surgery may be less or more and will be confirmed after your consultation.
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