Arm Lift
in Houston and Pearland, TX
Sagging upper arms, sometimes called “bat wings,” are a significant concern for those who want a toned body. In many cases, this condition cannot be addressed by diet and exercise, leaving people frustrated and self-conscious. An arm lift at Premier Plastic Surgery might be the solution you have been looking for. Our plastic surgeon, Christopher Hankins, MD, offers a complimentary consultation to help you address your aesthetic goals and improve your self-confidence. Our Houston area office is located in Pearland, TX, and is conveniently located to see breast augmentation and lift patients from Lake Jackson, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Manvel, and the surrounding areas of South Houston.
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to reshape the upper arms by removing stubborn fat deposits and tightening remaining skin. Often, factors like aging, weight fluctuations, or genetics can lead to sagging skin and reduced skin elasticity in this area, making it difficult to achieve a toned appearance through a healthy lifestyle alone. An arm lift addresses these concerns by contouring the arm for a more defined, youthful look, especially when exercise and diet are not enough to improve the arm’s shape.
After a significant weight loss, many patients come to our clinic complaining of loose skin and fat in the upper arm area. We use the technique described by Jean-François Pascal of Léon, France. In his technique, the excess fat and skin that must be removed from the upper arms are marked while the patient is standing.
The area beneath the sagging skin is infiltrated on the operating table with a tumescent solution to increase the tissue turgor for liposuction and prevent bleeding. The fat is then removed from the fascia to the skin level by liposuction (rather than tissue resection). This ensures no unwanted fat is left after the surgery. Only the skin is removed, preserving essential tissues, such as the lymphatics, nerves, and blood vessels. This way, the potential complications of lymphedema and sensory loss are avoided.
Other techniques call for a tissue resection, which is more likely to have complications due to loss of lymphatic tissue and injury to the intercostal brachial nerve (a small sensory nerve that runs inside the arm). Therefore, our technique is safer because it involves lower risks of complications.
The traditional arm lift is the most common technique that addresses a significant amount of excess tissue along the upper arms. This procedure involves an incision from the armpit to the elbow, allowing Dr. Hankins to remove sagging skin and use internal sutures to tighten the underlying tissue. It is ideal for patients seeking a dramatic improvement in arm contour.
A mini arm lift is a less invasive option for individuals with minimal excess skin and good skin tone. It involves a smaller incision, usually confined to the armpit area, making it a popular choice for those who want more discreet results and a shorter recovery period. This method is best suited for patients with mild upper arm sagging.
The extended arm lift is recommended for patients who have undergone massive weight loss or have medical conditions that resulted in severely stretched skin. This technique targets the upper arm and the side of the chest, removing extra fat and tightening skin that has lost elasticity. Because of the larger treatment area, extended arm lifts may result in more visible scars, but they offer the most comprehensive improvement for individuals with substantial skin laxity.
The choice to move forward with brachioplasty surgery is deeply personal, so the experienced staff at Premier Plastic Surgery will work with you step by step to help you make the best decision. The best candidates have stable body weights, realistic expectations, and loose or sagging skin on their arms. You can expect our honest medical opinion regarding this body contouring procedure to help you achieve your desired goals.
Do not hesitate or feel embarrassed about calling with questions. Chances are that we have answered similar questions many times before. We are more than happy to address your concerns regarding this cosmetic surgery. Bring up all issues that interest you during your personalized consultation with Dr. Hankins at our clinic. He will review them until you are delighted and every problem is addressed.
“Highly recommended.”
I had an arm lift with Dr. Hankins. I’m very happy with my results. The recovery was very smooth. I only took one pain pill at night for the first 3 days. Now I can fit my clothes so much better and feel more confident. Highly recommended.
— Sue J.
On your arm lift surgery day, you will arrive at our Pearland office, where Dr. Hankins and our expert team will greet you. You will be made comfortable in the procedure room.
Once the surgical plan is reviewed with you and there are no questions or concerns, our anesthesiologist will provide general anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. You will remain asleep during the entire surgery. Alternatively, we can use local anesthesia with sedation if the patient prefers this option.
Dr. Hankins will then carefully make incisions along the inner or back surface of your upper arms, through which he will remove excess skin and fat. The underlying tissues will be reshaped and tightened to create a more toned and defined appearance.
Once the desired changes have been made, the incisions will be closed with sutures, and your arms may be wrapped in dressings. The procedure lasts, on average, two to three hours.
When finished, you will be closely monitored in a recovery area until the sedation or general anesthesia wears off, and detailed post-operative instructions will be provided for a smooth recovery. We recommend you have a friend or family member drive you home to be extra safe.
Our post-operative patients are given priority so they can come at any time during office hours after their surgical procedure and be seen directly by Dr. Hankins or an experienced staff member. After two weeks, patients are strongly encouraged to follow our scar management protocol to get the optimum results from surgery. This entails an additional expense, but that investment is well worth it.
Patients are instructed to avoid lifting weights heavier than 5 pounds for the first 6 weeks after surgery to allow the tensile strength of the wound to progress to the point where they can resume normal activity. Generally, after 6 weeks, our patients can return to full activity, including exercise and weight lifting.
The best candidates for an arm lift in Houston are individuals with excess skin and fat in the upper arms that are resistant to diet and exercise. Some characteristics of potential candidates include:
Our patients who have received an arm lift have shared some of their benefits:
The cost of an arm lift at Premier Plastic Surgery starts at $6,800 and may increase depending on each patient’s goals and needs. This price includes liposuction in the arm area as well.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with our Houston arm lift doctor, Christopher Hankins, for a personalized cost estimate and detailed information about the procedure. During your consultation, our patient coordinator will provide a customized quote and answer any questions you may have regarding the arm lift procedure.
Dr. Christopher Hankins is a perfect choice for your arm lift procedure. He believes in offering only those treatments that are in the patient’s best interests. Dr. Hankins carefully evaluates the patient’s medical history, not just the plastic or aesthetic surgery issue under consideration.
In addition to his practice in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Hankins is actively involved in the study and clinical application of anti-aging medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine and a member of the American Board of Pathology (ABP), American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (AAAAM), and Texas Medical Association (TMA).
An arm lift is usually performed under general anesthesia and, therefore, is pain-free. You might experience mild discomfort and swelling post-surgery, but all can be aided with pain medication and compression sleeves.
The number of appointments needed for an arm lift procedure may vary depending on individual factors and the specific treatment plan. Once the consultation is complete, we will provide you with a clear and concise plan moving forward.
The results of a brachioplasty are almost immediate. While initial swelling and bruising may hide some results, you will notice a dramatically improved feel and appearance once they recede. Your new upper arms will appear shapelier, smoother, and toned with tighter contours.
Absolutely! Combining arm lift surgery with other procedures is possible, but this depends on your specific goals and needs. Many patients complement an arm lift with liposuction, BBL, breast lift, or tummy tuck to achieve a more comprehensive body contouring result. Please ask about combining surgeries during your consultation with Dr. Hankins so that he can offer his professional advice.
Arm liposuction is best for patients with good skin elasticity who want to remove isolated fat pockets in the upper arms. You can choose how much fat should be removed to improve arm contour, but this procedure does not address sagging skin caused by the natural aging process. In contrast, an arm lift removes excess skin and fat, making it more suitable for individuals with loose, hanging skin that liposuction alone cannot correct.
As with any surgical procedure, an arm lift also carries some associated risks, some of which are outlined below:
If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please do not hesitate to contact our practice immediately.
An arm lift is generally more effective for treating flabby arms than non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Non-invasive treatments may help with mild skin tightening. However, they do not remove fatty tissue or significantly improve muscle tone. Each arm lift performed by Dr. Hankins is customized to remove excess skin and fat, delivering more dramatic and lasting results than non-surgical methods.
It is important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and minimize swelling. After surgery, keep your arms elevated as much as possible and wear compression garments to reduce swelling. Most patients can return to light activities within one to two weeks, but heavy lifting should be avoided until cleared by our plastic surgeon, Dr. Hankins. Maintaining a healthy diet and understanding how the normal aging process affects skin tone can also support long-term results. Your medical history will help guide personalized aftercare recommendations to support healing and reduce complications.
Schedule a Consultation
Our team at Premier Plastic Surgery is dedicated to helping you reach all your aesthetic goals. To learn more about abdominoplasty and whether a tummy tuck is right for you, contact our office today to schedule your free personal consultation. If you live in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, or the neighboring communities of South Houston, Dr. Hankins can help you achieve a body you won’t want to cover up!
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