An arm lift is a surgical body-contouring procedure that restores a smoother, tighter, and more defined appearance in the upper arms by eliminating excess skin and fat. Sagging arm tissue is a common concern among both men and women. It often occurs after events such as massive weight loss, aging, and more. (1) While some find that dieting and exercise can help, often, this is simply not enough.
Dr. Eric P. Bachelor can perform an arm lift to help you restore a more slender and sculpted appearance in your upper arms. Dr. Bachelor is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience; the Consumers’ Research Council of America has recognized him as one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons. He maintains a strong reputation for providing natural-looking, yet rejuvenating results.
To explore your arm lift options, please schedule a consultation online or call (925) 462-3700 to reach our Pleasanton or Danville offices.
Before and After Photos
About Arm Lifts and When They Are Recommended
It may be time to consider an arm lift if you have noticed loose, hanging skin in your upper arms, do not feel confident about your arms, or if exercise and dieting have failed to yield substantial results. Many patients undergo this procedure after significant weight loss, but anyone who struggles with loose arm skin is welcome to attend a consultation. Through excess skin removal and careful recontouring, Dr. Bachelor can help you enhance both your appearance and confidence!
Benefits
Arm lifts offer several notable benefits, including:
- Improved Definition: An arm lift can create a more slender and contoured appearance.
- Alleviated Discomfort: This procedure can reduce discomfort previously caused by the chafing of excess skin.
- Better Fitting Clothing: Many patients find that their clothing fits more comfortably and looks more flattering, empowering them to wear more revealing tops and shorter sleeves.
- Lasting Results: When patients maintain healthy lifestyle habits, the results of an arm lift can last for several years.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Dr. Bachelor customizes each arm lift around the unique concerns of the individual, ensuring tailored results.
- Elevated Confidence: Many patients report improvements in their self-esteem and confidence after seeing the results of their arm lift, leading to a greater sense of body positivity overall.
Candidates
You may want to consider an arm lift if you are experiencing sagging or excess skin around your upper arms and wish to address it. Individuals who feel restricted or self-conscious wearing shorter-sleeved tops, as well as those experiencing irritation or rashes from chafing skin, can benefit greatly from an arm lift. Anyone with lax arm skin as a result of weight loss should be at a stable and maintainable weight, as fluctuations may alter the results.
Anyone considering this procedure should be in good overall health and hold realistic expectations regarding their results. Dr. Bachelor will determine each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
The first step to achieving slender, contoured arms is attending a personal consultation at either our Pleasanton or Danville office. During this consultation, Dr. Bachelor will meet with you to learn more about your medical history, aesthetic concerns, and treatment goals. He will evaluate the degree of sagging and determine your candidacy, recommending the most effective treatment plan to address each of your concerns.
To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please contact us online or call either of our offices at (925) 462-3700.
Preparation
Preparing for an arm lift is fairly straightforward. Dr. Bachelor will provide a set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare, as this is key to a successful procedure and smooth recovery.
Guidelines typically include:
- Discontinue taking blood-thinning medications and supplements if required.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for a few days before and after the procedure.
- Cease nicotine use several weeks before the procedure and continue abstaining throughout recovery.
- Arrange transportation home after general anesthesia.
- Plan to take time away from work and other commitments for recovery.
- Fill all necessary medications in advance to reduce post-operative stress, as recommended by Dr. Bachelor.
Procedure
When you arrive for your procedure, we will first cleanse and sanitize your skin and administer anesthesia. (2) Dr. Bachelor will use a skin-safe marker to create guiding lines around the treatment area, outlining the necessary corrections he will make.
After preparing the treatment area, Dr. Bachelor will begin the procedure. If you have excess stubborn fat around your arms, he can remove it with liposuction after making a small injection and injecting tumescent fluid.
Dr. Bachelor will then address sagging skin by placing an incision on the underside of either the front or back of the arm. After removing excess tissue and sculpting your arms, he will carefully close the incisions.
Recovery
Dr. Bachelor performs arm lifts on an outpatient basis, which means that we will send you home to continue resting on the same day as your procedure. You will receive a set of post-operative instructions to help you care for your incisions and body as you heal.
After an arm lift, patients commonly experience bruising, discomfort, or swelling around the treated areas. These effects will gradually subside on their own, but Dr. Bachelor may also prescribe medications to enhance your comfort.
You will likely be able to return to your job after approximately two weeks, but you will need to continue avoiding physical or strenuous activities until Dr. Bachelor approves. We will help you schedule follow-up appointments so that Dr. Bachelor can monitor your progression and ensure your results are developing as expected.
Results
You will be able to enjoy the results of your arm lift after you fully recover. You can experience more slender, sculpted, and smooth arms after Dr. Bachelor removes any loose skin or excess fat. Your arms will appear more balanced and proportionate with the rest of your body, and you will no longer face irritation from chafing skin. Certain clothing styles may also look more flattering or fit more comfortably, enabling you to express yourself through newer styles. The results of an arm lift are long-lasting, but you will need to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, as fluctuations in weight can alter the effects of your procedure.
Cost of Arm Lifts in the San Francisco Bay Area
Dr. Bachelor customizes each patient’s procedure according to their unique concerns, goals, and anatomy, meaning the cost of your arm lift can vary. During pricing, he considers the surgical techniques he uses, the amount of tissue he removes, whether he performs any additional procedures, and several other factors. Dr. Bachelor will discuss the cost of your procedure during your consultation after establishing your treatment plan. He also offers financing options for those interested.
To learn more about the cost of your arm lift, please schedule a consultation online or call (925) 462-3700.
FAQ
How long will it take to recover after an arm lift?
Recovery will vary between patients, but most individuals can return to their careers within approximately two weeks. They will need to avoid physically demanding activities for several more weeks or until Dr. Bachelor provides clearance.
Are there any risks associated with undergoing an arm lift?
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks. These may include infection, uneven contouring, poor scarring, or dissatisfaction with results. Dr. Bachelor will discuss each risk and complication during your consultation.
When will I be able to see the full results of my procedure?
You will be able to see the results of your procedure several weeks after your procedure, after all swelling subsides. However, it may take several more months for your tissues to fully settle and the final results to become apparent.
Will there be any visible scarring after my arm lift?
All surgical procedures will involve some degree of scarring, but Dr. Bachelor places each incision carefully to ensure minimal visibility. The arm lift scar will be visible when the arms are raised. Patients should be willing to accept the appearance of a scar in order to achieve a more slender look in the arms.
Can I combine an arm lift with another cosmetic procedure?
Yes, you may elect to combine your arm lift with another cosmetic procedure for more comprehensive and cohesive results. For patients who are undergoing an arm lift after massive weight loss, there is often loose skin in other areas, making a tummy tuck or breast lift beneficial. During your consultation, we encourage you to discuss combining your procedures for more information and personalized recommendations.
Where is the incision for an arm lift?
Dr. Bachelor makes the arm lift incision along the underside of the arms. This incision can be toward the front or backside of the arms, depending on the case.
References
- Nalin Nagrath, Winters R. Brachioplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/#article-145189.s9
- Di Pietro V, Colicchia GM, Cervelli V, Gentile P. Arm Contouring After Massive Weight Loss: Liposuction-Assisted Brachioplasty Versus Standard Technique. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2018;11(2):73-78. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_102_17