Is an Arm Lift Painful?

The arm lift procedure is conducted under anesthesia, so patients do not feel any discomfort. However, they may experience tenderness and swelling following their procedure. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and will eventually reduce in the week following the procedure.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

While every patient’s healing timeline will vary according to their individual bodies and needs, Dr. Franck recommends follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and ensure no further complications result from your surgery. The number of these appointments may vary depending on the patient-by-patient case. You may receive an overview of the appointments necessary for your arm lift procedure at the time of your consultation.

Can I Combine an Arm Lift With Other Procedures?

A few other procedures can be performed in conjunction with an arm lift, such as a facial, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), mommy makeover, liposuction, or breast procedures, including a breast lift, augmentation, or reduction. These procedures can create a more proportionate and balanced look for your body. If you are interested in adding any of these surgical procedures to your arm lift, please mention your interest at the time of your consultation so Dr. Franck may recommend the best course of action for your individual surgical treatment plan.

What Are the Risks Associated with Arm Lift Surgery?

As with any surgery, there are always potential risks and complications that can occur with an arm lift procedure. These can include: Bleeding Infection Blood clots Numbness or tingling in the arm area Scarring Unfavorable or delayed wound healing Skin loss Persistent arm swelling Asymmetry Most of these complications can be avoided by choosing a trained and experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Franck, who has extensive experience performing brachioplasty surgery. To help ensure a smooth and successful recovery, you should also follow all of your surgeon’s postoperative instructions.

Arm Lift

New York & New Jersey

Introduction

Introduction to Arm Lift

Our arms can retain stubborn fat that is difficult to remove despite weight loss achieved through diet and exercise. To achieve slim, firm arms, many people choose to receive an arm lift to remove excess fat and tissue to create a sculpted, toned appearance.

Dr. Philipp Franck, a leading plastic surgeon at Kassir Plastic Surgery in New York City and New Jersey, specializes in arm lift surgery. With his expertise, you can say goodbye to flabby arms and schedule your consultation today!

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What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of your arms. Dr. Philipp Franck is a leading plastic surgeon in New York City and New Jersey who specializes in arm lift surgery. The procedure can involve removing loose skin and excess fat from the upper arm area and tightening the underlying tissue. An arm lift is often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast surgery, and liposuction.

If you are bothered by the sagging appearance of your arms and are considering an arm lift, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and complications associated with the procedure. Dr. Franck will thoroughly discuss these with you during your consultation.

What Are the Different Techniques for an Arm Lift?

There are different techniques for an arm lift, depending on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed. The three most common types of incisions are the classic, short scar, and Z-incision:

Classic: The most common method to address general sagginess and excess fat along the upper arm.
Short Scar: A short scar arm lift is used for a minimal arm lift when the majority of the excess fat and skin is located close to the axilla.
Z-Incision: A Z-incision is used for the extended lift. The excess tissue tends to extend to the upper chest.

The incision is usually hidden on the arm’s backside and within the armpit’s crease. This way, it is concealed in the best possible way and won’t be noticeable from the front. However, some visible scarring will remain, but it will continue to improve over time. The incision on the back or inner arm will fade over time. Dr. Franck uses special internal sutures to decrease incision tension and minimize scarring.

What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?

Arm lift results for our New York City patients are immediately visible, but they will become more pronounced as the incisions heal and the swelling subsides over the next few months. Once your recovery is complete, you will enjoy more toned and youthful-looking arms.

There are many benefits that come with improving the contour of your arms and removing excess skin and arm tissue. These benefits can include:

Tighter, firmer upper arms
Improved arm contour
Increased confidence and self-esteem

Am I a Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?

Most patients are healthy individuals who have realistic expectations about the results of their surgery. You may be a good candidate for an arm lift procedure if you are at or near your ideal weight and have any of the following concerns:

Excess skin on the upper arms that hangs down and causes “bat wings.”
Sagging skin on your upper arms
Excess fat around your arms that does not respond to diet or exercise
Excess skin laxity of your upper arms

What’s the
First Step?

If you are bothered by the sagging appearance of your arms and are considering an arm lift procedure, please schedule a consultation at Kassir Plastic Surgery in New York City or New Jersey. Dr. Franck will meet with you to review your medical history, evaluate the condition of your arms, and recommend whether an arm lift could benefit you. He will show you “before and after” pictures of patients who have previously received an arm lift so that you may understand the range of possibilities for your procedure. It is also important to be aware of the potential risks and complications associated with the arm lift procedure. Dr. Franck will thoroughly discuss these with you during your consultation.

If you and Dr. Franck agree, he will create a customized surgical plan for your arm lift procedure. Then, you can schedule it with a member of our patient care team.

How is an Arm Lift Performed?

The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means you will be able to go home the same day as your surgery. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes about two to three hours to complete. Dr. Franck performs surgery at our state-of-the-art surgical facilities that are accredited by the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). The arm incision will be made either along the back of the arm or the inner side of the arm. Depending on the extent of tissue that is going to be removed, the incision will either end in the axilla or extend to the chest wall. Dr. Franck will then tighten and reshape the underlying tissue and skin. Dr. Franck will use liposuction to remove additional fat and sculpt the arm to restore a natural and youthful shape. The excess skin is then trimmed away, and the incisions are closed with internal stitches. Depending on the extent of excision, a drainage tube might be placed to decrease swelling. In order to further help with swelling, the arms will be placed in a gentle compression dressing.

Arm Lift Recovery

You will need to take it easy for the first few days following surgery. It is important to keep your arms elevated as much as possible to help reduce swelling. Pain after an arm lift procedure can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Most patients can expect to return to work and their normal activities within two weeks. However, you should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks. You will also need to wear a compression garment on your arms for the first few weeks. The remaining skin will feel tight at first, but it will stretch slightly over time. Dr. Franck will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions and what activities you should avoid during your recovery.

How much does An
arm lift cost New York City, NY?

The cost of an Arm Lift in New York City will be based on the extent of surgery required, the expertise of your plastic surgeon, and facility fees. In most cases, the surgery is considered to be a cosmetic procedure and will not be covered by insurance. However, if you have undergone massive weight loss and have excess skin on your arms that is causing medical problems, such as rashes or infections, your insurance may cover the cost of the procedure.

There are a few medical reasons why your insurance company may cover arm lift surgery. These can include:

Severe skin irritation from excess skin in the arm area
Loss of arm function due to excess skin
Infection in the arm area due to excess skin

To understand the cost breakdown for your arm lift, please schedule a consultation at Kassir Plastic Surgery in New York City or New Jersey. We accept the most standard forms of payment and offer financing options with trusted providers such as PatientFi, CareCredit, and Cherry.

Why Choose Dr. Franck?

Dr. Philipp Franck is a highly skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty, facial plastic surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, and non-surgical rejuvenation. He is also a clinical instructor for the Division of Plastic Surgery at New York Cornell Hospital, where he mentors new surgeons and teaches the latest techniques.

A native of Germany, Dr. Franck completed his integrated Plastic Surgery residency at the esteemed New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the top hospitals in the United States. During his residency, he had the privilege of training at world-renowned affiliated institutions, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University Hospitals of Cornell and Columbia, and the Hospital for Special Surgery.

During his medical training, Dr. Franck traveled to many places, including Japan, South Africa, Ukraine, and Ethiopia, to work with internationally renowned physicians. He broadened his surgical expertise and provided medical care and education to developing countries. He is fluent in multiple languages (English, Spanish, German, and Japanese) and has numerous publications in scientific journals.

Arm Lift FAQ’S

While every patient’s healing timeline will vary according to their individual bodies and needs, Dr. Franck recommends follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and ensure no further complications result from your surgery. The number of these appointments may vary depending on the patient-by-patient case. You may receive an overview of the appointments necessary for your arm lift procedure at the time of your consultation.
Arm lift results will be immediately visible. However, it may take a few months for the incisions to heal and for the swelling to fully subside. Once your recovery is complete, you will enjoy more toned and youthful-looking arms. The results of arm lift surgery are usually long-lasting but can be affected by factors such as weight gain or loss, aging, and sun exposure.
The incision is usually hidden on the arm’s backside and within the armpit’s crease. This way, it is concealed in the best possible way and won’t be noticeable from the front. However, some visible scarring will remain, but it will continue to improve over time. Furthermore, the inner arm incision or incision on the back of the arm will fade over time. Dr. Franck uses special internal sutures to decrease incision tension and minimize scarring.
A few other procedures can be performed in conjunction with an arm lift, such as a facial, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), mommy makeover, liposuction, or breast procedures, including a breast lift, augmentation, or reduction. These procedures can create a more proportionate and balanced look for your body. If you are interested in adding any of these surgical procedures to your arm lift, please mention your interest at the time of your consultation so Dr. Franck may recommend the best course of action for your individual surgical treatment plan.
As with any surgery, there are always potential risks and complications that can occur with an arm lift procedure. These can include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Numbness or tingling in the arm area
- Scarring
- Unfavorable or delayed wound healing
- Skin loss
- Persistent arm swelling
- Asymmetry
Most of these complications can be avoided by choosing a trained and experienced plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Franck, who has extensive experience performing brachioplasty surgery. To help ensure a smooth and successful recovery, you should also follow all of your surgeon’s postoperative instructions.

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My facelift experience was life-changing. The procedure not only removed years from my appearance but also boosted my confidence tremendously.

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I couldn’t be happier with my facelift results! The surgeon took the time to understand my goals, and the outcome is so natural that my friends keep commenting on how refreshed I look.

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Aubrey L.
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My facelift experience was life-changing. The procedure not only removed years from my appearance but also boosted my confidence tremendously.

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Celeste B.
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I couldn’t be happier with my facelift results! The surgeon took the time to understand my goals, and the outcome is so natural that my friends keep commenting on how refreshed I look.

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Schedule a
Consultation

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your arms and would like to learn more about the arm lift procedure, contact our office today at 212-288-3000 to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Franck or use our online form. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you decide if arm lift surgery is right for you.

Please note that there is an associated consultation fee of $150 for a consultation with Dr. Franck. This fee covers the plastic surgeon’s time and expertise, as well as the resources needed to provide you with the best possible advice and recommendations.