What is an arm lift?
Brachioplasty, commonly known as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the inner and lower aspect of the upper arm, restoring a firmer, more youthful contour between the armpit and the elbow. The laxity it corrects — sometimes described as "bat wings" — is most often the consequence of major weight loss, but can also result from the natural loss of skin elasticity with age or from individual constitutional factors.
When the skin has lost its tone, neither exercise nor diet can retract it: strengthening the triceps improves muscle definition but cannot remove redundant skin. Brachioplasty is the only effective and lasting solution in these cases. Dr. Galati assesses each patient individually — the amount and quality of the excess skin, the distribution of fat, and the overall proportions of the arm — to select the most appropriate technique and keep scarring to the minimum necessary.
Surgical techniques
- Limited (short-scar) brachioplasty: for mild laxity concentrated near the armpit. The incision is confined to the axillary fold, where it remains naturally hidden.
- Standard brachioplasty: for moderate to severe laxity. The incision runs along the inner aspect of the arm, from the axilla towards the elbow, placed so that it is not visible from the front or behind when the arms are at rest.
- Extended brachioplasty: for patients after massive weight loss whose skin excess continues onto the lateral chest wall; the incision is extended into the axilla and upper chest to treat the whole aesthetic unit.
- Liposuction-assisted brachioplasty: in most cases Dr. Galati combines skin excision with liposuction of the deep fat compartment, refining the contour and reducing tension on the closure.
How the operation is performed
An arm lift is performed under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the extent of the correction, and takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours. After the pre-operative markings are made with the patient standing, excess fat is first removed by liposuction where indicated; the redundant skin is then excised, the deep tissues are supported with internal sutures, and the skin is closed in layers with fine, mostly absorbable sutures. The procedure is usually carried out as a day case or with a single overnight stay. A compression garment is fitted at the end of surgery.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–3: mild to moderate discomfort, swelling and a feeling of tightness; the arms should be kept slightly elevated when resting
- Days 7–14: return to desk work and light daily activities; suture check and dressing review
- Weeks 4–6: compression garment discontinued; gradual return to sport, avoiding heavy lifting and repetitive stretching of the arms
- Months 3–6: residual swelling resolves; the new contour becomes definitive
- Months 12–18: scars complete their maturation, fading to a pale, flat line
Scar care — silicone gel or sheets, massage and strict sun protection — is an important part of the post-operative protocol and is followed up at each review visit.
Arm lift in Italy — why choose Dr. Galati?
Dr. Marco Galati is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience and more than 5,000 certified procedures in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, including post-weight-loss body contouring. His clinics in Lecce (Scorrano), Parma and Milan are fully equipped for surgery and structured post-operative follow-up. Every treatment plan is personalised: where skin quality is good, he may recommend liposuction alone; where laxity dominates, he will explain honestly what excision can achieve and what scars it involves.
International patients are welcome to contact our team to arrange the full care pathway — from initial consultation to surgery and post-operative visits — at info@clinicachirurgiaplastica.it.
Frequently asked questions
The ideal candidate is an adult in good general health with significant skin laxity of the upper arms — typically after major weight loss or due to age-related loss of elasticity — a stable body weight, and realistic expectations. Where the problem is mainly excess fat with good skin tone, liposuction alone may be sufficient.
A full brachioplasty leaves a scar along the inner aspect of the arm, from the armpit towards the elbow, positioned so that it is not visible from the front or behind with the arms at rest. In minor cases a short-scar technique confines the incision to the armpit fold. Scars fade progressively over 12–18 months.
Most patients return to desk work within 7–14 days. A compression garment is worn for 4–6 weeks. Lifting and sports are avoided for at least 4–6 weeks. Swelling settles progressively and the final contour is established at around 3–6 months.
Yes. In most cases Dr. Galati combines brachioplasty with liposuction of the upper arm in the same session. Liposuction refines the deep contour while skin excision addresses the laxity, producing a smoother, more harmonious result than either technique alone.
The excess skin removed does not return, so results are long-lasting provided body weight remains stable. Natural skin ageing continues over the years, but the improvement achieved with surgery is largely maintained. Significant weight fluctuations can compromise the result.