Arm Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that restores a smoother, more contoured look and feel to the arms by eliminating excess skin and tissue. ⁽¹⁾

Many factors can lead to the development of hanging or sagging skin around the arms, which is sometimes called “bat wings.” This often stems from excess weight gain and subsequent rapid weight loss, but it can also arise from aging and other factors. These changes can affect your appearance, the fit of your clothes, and even your daily comfort.

At NYC Lipo, Dr. Elie Levine can perform an arm lift to help you restore your comfort and confidence. Dr. Elie Levine is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is known for his transformative yet natural-looking results. He has functional, cosmetic, and fellowship training, giving him a unique understanding of different types of surgery that target both form and function.

To start working with Dr. Elie Levine, please schedule a consultation online or call our office at (800) 683-5476.

If you reside internationally or out of state and require accommodations or assistance, please reach out to our team!

About Arm Lifts

An arm lift is a body-contouring procedure that reduces drooping or sagging skin from around the arms.

Several factors can contribute to the appearance of hanging or drooping skin around the arms, with the most common being weight gain followed by rapid weight loss. This has become more prevalent among patients since the rise of GLP-1 medications, but rapid weight loss can also occur as a result of weight loss surgery, lifestyle changes, and other factors. When you gain weight, your skin stretches; this prolonged stretching can cause your skin to lose its elasticity. This becomes especially apparent when you start losing weight, and the skin starts to hang down rather than retract. ⁽²⁾ Dr. Elie Levine can perform an arm lift to address each of these concerns and more, allowing you to achieve the look you have been striving toward.

Benefits

Arm lifts bring several significant benefits, including:

More Contoured Appearance: Arm lifts sculpt your arms, addressing “bat wings” caused by hanging skin and excess fat.
Tighter Skin: This procedure can excise loose skin, restoring a tighter, smoother look and feel.
Alleviated Irritation: Arm lifts can reduce discomfort from chafing arm skin.
Elevated Self-Esteem: Many patients report feeling more confident and empowered after their arm lift, especially when wearing sleeveless tops and more revealing garments.
Lasting Results: The results of an arm lift are long-lasting, with patients often experiencing their results for many years.
Tailored Surgical Plan: Dr. Elie Levine personalizes each aspect of the procedure according to the patient’s personal goals and anatomy.

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for an arm lift if you have gained weight or accumulated fat around your arms and have been unable to address it through traditional means like dieting or exercise. Those who have developed hanging arm skin as a result of aging or rapid weight loss may also make suitable candidates for an arm lift.

Anyone interested in receiving an arm lift should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their procedure. Potential patients should also be nonsmokers or be willing to quit using nicotine. Dr. Elie Levine will finalize each individual’s candidacy during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Elie Levine will meet with you individually to confirm your candidacy and create your treatment plan. You will speak about your medical history, concerns, and desired appearance. He will perform a physical examination to assess your arms.

Dr. Elie Levine will use this information to determine the most effective treatment plan for your needs. He will recommend the most effective techniques or recommend pairing your procedure with another, based on your goals. Throughout the consultation, Dr. Elie Levine will also address any questions or concerns you may have, as this consultation is time dedicated to you and your specific procedure.

To schedule this consultation, please contact us online or call our office directly at (800) 683-5476.

If you reside out of state or internationally and are unable to meet with us in New York, please let us know! Dr. Elie Levine sees patients from all over the world and would be more than happy to accommodate you.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your procedure, Dr. Elie Levine will provide you with a detailed set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your arm lift. He may instruct you to:

Refrain from taking medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
Prepare to take time away from your responsibilities and commitments.
Pre-arrange transportation to and from your procedure.
Fill any prescriptions in advance.
If applicable, quit all nicotine or cannabis use leading up to your procedure and throughout the entirety of your recovery.

By following each of these instructions, you can ensure a smooth and successful arm lift procedure.

Procedure

Your arm lift will occur in our AAAASF-accredited surgical suite under either twilight or general anesthesia. The exact length of your procedure will vary depending on the details of your surgical plan, but you can expect your procedure to range between 2 and 4 hours.

If there is a significant amount of fat in the treatment area, Dr. Elie Levine can perform liposuction to remove the fat from the arm. He will place a small incision near the fatty deposits before administering a tumescent fluid for easier removal. He will then use a specialized cannula to gently break down and suction out the local fat, leaving your arms more contoured and toned. Advanced variations of liposuction like BodyTite additionally provide skin-tightening effects, as the laser energy in these procedures gently contracts your underlying tissues.

To address sagging skin, Dr. Elie Levine will make an incision along the inside of your upper arm. After making the incision, he will trim away excess skin and tissue.

Recovery

After an arm lift, it is normal to experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own with time, but you can also lessen them with prescribed pain medications and rest. Dr. Elie Levine will also provide you with long-acting pain relief to further enhance your post-procedure comfort.

After about one to two weeks, you may return to desk work and other light activities. However, you will need to continue avoiding any high-impact or physically demanding activities until Dr. Elie Levine clears you to return.

You will attend follow-up appointments as you recover. These appointments will allow Dr. Elie Levine to observe your progress and ensure your results are developing as expected.

Scar Minimization

Dr. Elie Levine employs advanced scar minimization techniques during each procedure he performs. These are advanced surgical techniques that minimize and conceal most post-procedure scarring. Any scarring will fade throughout your recovery and usually becomes discreet and barely noticeable, allowing you to wear the most revealing clothing or swimwear with ease. When you work with Dr. Elie Levine, you can achieve results that let you feel confident both in and out of your clothing.

Our team can arrange accommodations for international and out-of-state patients, allowing them to achieve a relaxing and restful recovery before their travels home. To learn more about the accommodations we can offer, please contact us online or call (800) 683-5476.

Results

Your arms will appear smoother, slender, and more sculpted without any hanging or loose skin. They will also appear more proportional and balanced with your body, and you may feel more empowered to wear sleeveless tops. You may also experience improvements in daily comfort after alleviating chafing.

The results of an arm lift are durable and long-lasting, with many patients experiencing the results of their procedure for years. However, you should maintain healthy lifestyle habits, as fluctuations in your weight may affect your long-term appearance.

Corresponding Procedures

BodyTite

BodyTite (BodyTite™) is a cutting-edge body sculpting treatment that combines liposuction and skin-tightening technology to contour the body. BodyTite delivers controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy above and beneath the skin to target localized fat and loose skin. This allows you to achieve smoother-looking contours and more defined curves, all without the recovery time of traditional surgery.

Dr. Elie Levine is a nationally recognized BodyTite expert. He can perform this procedure on most parts of the body, including the arms, back, chest, knees, and more.

Skin Tightening with Quantum RF

Quantum RF is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to enhance the look and feel of your skin. Quantum RF heats the underlying layers of your skin. This stimulates the production of collagen, naturally revitalizing your skin. Dr. Elie Levine can perform this treatment on most parts of the body, including your arms, allowing you to further refine your results.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a body-contouring procedure that Dr. Elie Levine can perform to restore a more defined waist and flatter stomach. This procedure tightens weakened or separated abdominal muscles and removes excess tissue from around your midsection.

Back Lift

A back lift can address hanging or sagging skin and fat on the backside, creating a smoother, more slender look and feel to your upper, lower, and middle back. This procedure can pair with an arm lift to avoid the appearance of tightened skin next to untightened skin, especially near the shoulder blades, allowing you to achieve more cohesive results.

Body Lift

Dr. Elie Levine can perform a body lift to help you transform your body after your weight loss success. This procedure removes hanging skin and fat from around the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks.

Cost of Arm Lifts in New York City

The cost of your arm lift can vary depending on several factors, such as the surgical techniques, the severity of your concerns, whether you include any additional procedures in your surgical plan, and more. Once you and Dr. Elie Levine discuss each of these details, he will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate for your arm lift. In some cases, patients may be eligible for insurance coverage. Our team can help you explore these options.

To learn more about the cost of your tailored arm lift procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (800) 683-5476.

FAQ

Where will Dr. Elie Levine place the incisions for my arm lift?

Usually, the incision is along the inside of the upper arm.

How long will it take for me to recover from an arm lift?

You may return to most of your routine after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to refrain from engaging in anything strenuous until Dr. Elie Levine says otherwise.

How long will the effects of my arm lift last?

The results of an arm lift are long-lasting, with effects that can last for many years when maintained properly.

How long will it take for Dr. Elie Levine to perform my arm lift?

Dr. Elie Levine will take between 2 and 4 hours to perform your arm lift. During your consultation, he can provide you with further information regarding what to expect from your procedure.

Can Dr. Elie Levine combine my arm lift with another procedure?

Yes, Dr. Elie Levine can integrate other procedures into your treatment plan to create more cohesive results. During your consultation, he can provide you with tailored recommendations once you discuss your aesthetic goals.

References

Nalin Nagrath, Winters R. Brachioplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/#article-145189.s9
Boswell CB. Body Contouring Following Massive Weight Loss. Missouri Medicine. 2014;107(3):189. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6188338/