Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty, commonly known as an arm lift, removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create a smoother, firmer, and more defined appearance. Many patients consider an arm lift after significant weight loss or when the skin becomes loose and less firm with age. Dr. Parham Mafi performs it in Fresno, California.
Book a consultationWhat is
Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty, commonly known as an arm lift, removes extra skin and fat from the upper arms to create a smoother, firmer, and more defined appearance. Many patients consider an arm lift after significant weight loss or when their skin becomes loose and less firm with age.
Your consultation with Dr. Mafi starts with a conversation about what you would like to improve about your arms. He will review your medical history, including any health conditions, previous surgeries, and medications you take. He will also examine your arms to see how much loose skin and extra fat you have. This helps him determine the best approach for you. Photos may be taken to help plan your surgery and for your medical records.
Arm lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be comfortable throughout the procedure. The incision is usually placed along the inner or back of the arm and is customized to your needs. In some cases, it may extend from the elbow to the armpit. Extra fat may be removed with liposuction, and excess skin is then removed. The remaining skin is gently pulled together to create a smoother, firmer arm. Most procedures take about two to three hours, depending on how much treatment is needed.
After surgery, your arms will be wrapped or you will wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and support healing. Some swelling, bruising, and tightness are normal and gradually improve. Stitches may be removed one to two weeks after surgery. Most patients can return to their usual daily activities within two to three weeks, while exercise and heavy lifting should wait until Dr. Mafi gives you clearance. Swelling will continue to improve over the following months, with full healing taking about three to six months.
With a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, your results can last for many years, leaving you with smoother, firmer, and more defined arms and greater comfort in the clothes you wear.
The incision is usually placed along the inner or back of the arm, depending on how much loose skin needs to be removed and your individual goals. In some cases, the incision may extend from the elbow to the armpit. Dr. Mafi places the incision carefully along the natural inner part of the arm so it is less noticeable when your arms are at your sides.
If you have extra fat along with loose skin, Dr. Mafi may use liposuction to remove the excess fat first. He then removes the extra skin and gently tightens the remaining skin to create a smoother, firmer, and more defined shape.
After surgery, your arms will be wrapped or placed in a compression garment to help reduce swelling and support your arms as they heal. The garment also helps the skin settle into its new shape. Your aftercare instructions will explain how and when to wear it during your recovery.
Most patients can return to their normal daily activities within two to three weeks. Exercise and heavy lifting should wait until Dr. Mafi gives you clearance. Swelling will continue to improve over the following months as your arms heal and settle into their new shape.
Am I a candidate for brachioplasty?
Firmer, smoother, more defined arms, with results that last.
Every plan follows an in-person examination of how much loose skin and extra fat is there. Brachioplasty may be worth discussing if:
Loose Skin After Weight Loss
Significant weight loss left skin on the upper arm that did not follow.
Sagging With Age
The skin on the upper arm has lost its firmness over the years.
Excess Fat on the Arm
Fullness in the upper arm you would like reduced along with the skin.
A More Contoured Arm
You would like a firmer, smoother contour through the upper arm.
Sleeveless Clothing
You avoid sleeveless clothing because of how your arms look in it.
Freedom to Move Comfortably
Excess skin gets in the way of activities you enjoy doing.
Loose skin removed,the seam kept hidden.
Each case below is one patient of Dr. Mafi, photographed in the same position before surgery and after healing. Drag the seam to compare. The incision is placed along the inner arm so it sits out of view when the arms are down.
See the full galleryIndividual results vary. These are patients of Dr. Mafi, photographed at Mafi Plastic Surgery, and published with their permission. They are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
Common questions about brachioplasty
The length of the incision follows how much loose skin needs to be removed. When the excess is mild and sits near the top of the arm, a shorter incision closer to the armpit may be enough; more significant loose skin calls for the full incision along the inner arm. Which applies to you is exactly what Dr. Mafi assesses at your consultation, and he will show you where your incision would sit before you decide anything.
Do I need a full arm lift, or is there a smaller version?
The length of the incision follows how much loose skin needs to be removed. When the excess is mild and sits near the top of the arm, a shorter incision closer to the armpit may be enough; more significant loose skin calls for the full incision along the inner arm. Which applies to you is exactly what Dr. Mafi assesses at your consultation, and he will show you where your incision would sit before you decide anything.
Comfortable in
Your Own Skin
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mafi to talk through what an arm lift would involve for you, from how much skin is there to the weeks after surgery.
Prefer to talk? Call (559) 890-6500.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon at Mafi Plastic Surgery. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed August 2026Updated