Brachioplasty, commonly known as an arm lift, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tightens the underlying tissue of the upper arms. This procedure is ideal for patients who struggle with hanging skin, sagging tissue, or skin laxity that does not respond to exercise.

An arm lift is frequently performed after major weight loss but is also popular among patients experiencing natural skin aging. The goal of brachioplasty is to create a smoother arm contour and improve the overall shape and proportion of the upper arms. At New Look New Life, our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to achieve refined, natural-looking results while minimizing scarring whenever possible.

You may be a good candidate for arm lift surgery in New York City if you:

• Have loose or hanging skin on the upper arms
  

• Have experienced significant weight loss
  

• Have sagging skin due to aging and reduced skin elasticity
  

• Maintain a stable weight
  

• Are in good overall health
  

• Do not smoke
  

• Have realistic expectations about your results and scarring
  

During your initial consultation, Dr. Claudia Kim will review your medical history, evaluate your arm skin and tissue, and determine whether brachioplasty is the best solution for your body contouring goals.

Arm lift surgery offers both aesthetic and functional benefits, including:

• Removal of excess, sagging skin
  

• Improved upper arm contour and definition
  

• A slimmer, more toned appearance
  

• Enhanced comfort in clothing
  

• Increased confidence in sleeveless attire
  

• Long-lasting results with proper lifestyle maintenance
  

For many patients, the improvement in arm shape and firmness creates a noticeable enhancement in overall body proportions.

Arm lift surgery is performed at our state-of-the-art Manhattan surgical center. The procedure is typically done under general anesthesia and takes approximately two to three hours to complete.

During surgery:

• An incision is made along the underside of the upper arm, extending from the elbow to the armpit.

• Excess skin is removed.

• Underlying tissue is tightened and reshaped.

• Liposuction may be performed to remove excess fat.

• The remaining skin is repositioned for a smooth contour.

• Sutures are placed to close the incision.

Dr. Claudia Kim carefully plans incision placement to keep scars as discreet as possible while achieving optimal contouring results.

After arm lift surgery, patients can expect temporary swelling, bruising, and limited arm mobility. Compression garments are worn to support healing and maintain the new arm shape.

Most patients:

• Return to desk work within one week.
  

• Resume light activity after two weeks.
  

• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks.

Most patients are advised to wear a compression garment for several weeks after arm lift surgery. This helps reduce swelling, support healing, and maintain the new arm contour as the skin adjusts.

Light walking is encouraged shortly after surgery, but strenuous exercise, weightlifting, and upper-body workouts should be avoided for at least four to six weeks. Dr. Claudia Kim will provide personalized guidance based on your recovery progress.

Since your brachioplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort during your recovery can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medication.

Since incisions are made to remove skin during an arm lift, scarring is inevitable. However, Dr. Claudia Kim strategically places incisions in inconspicuous locations along the inner or under-surface of the arm. Brachioplasty scars will naturally fade and flatten over time.

The results of an arm lift are immediate! You will continue to enjoy improvements as your skin heals, adheres to the new shape, and swelling subsides. Patients are extremely pleased with the drastic yet natural-looking reduction in arm size. Final results develop over several months.

Your arm lift results are long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight, an appropriate fitness level, and a healthy diet. Skin elasticity naturally weakens due to the aging process, meaning you may notice slight loosening in the arms over many years, but the dramatic improvements achieved by the surgery will remain.

Brachioplasty alone does not treat significant excess fat; its primary goal is to address sagging skin. Patients with extra fat in the upper arm often benefit from combining their lift with Liposuction surgery for the best possible contour.

Yes! Arm lift surgery can be safely combined with other body contouring procedures for more comprehensive, full-body results. Common pairings include:

• Thigh Lift

• Tummy Tuck

• Mommy Makeover

• Liposuction

Combination procedures can beautifully balance body proportions and reduce overall recovery time by allowing you to heal from multiple surgeries at once. Dr. Claudia Kim will help determine whether combining procedures is the safest and most effective option for you.

When performed by an experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Claudia Kim, brachioplasty is generally safe with little risk of complications. However, all surgical procedures come with potential risks, including infection, bleeding, poor scarring, nerve compression, sensory loss, or anesthesia complications. Dr. Claudia Kim will review all risks with you in detail during your consultation.

The cost of an arm lift in NYC varies based on the extent of excess skin, whether liposuction is included, and whether the procedure is combined with other surgeries.

At New Look New Life, arm lift surgery typically starts at $9,000. Your personalized quote will be provided during your private consultation and includes your surgeon's fee, anesthesia and anesthesiologist fees, accredited surgical facility/operating room fees, compression garments, and all post-operative follow-up visits. Learn more by visiting our Pricing page.

Absolutely. We believe that feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin should be accessible. New Look New Life offers flexible medical financing options through trusted partners like CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit, Cherry, and PatientFi. Check out our Pricing & Financing information to learn how you can break your procedure down into manageable monthly payments.

Yes! One of the biggest complaints we hear from major weight-loss patients is that even though they have reached their goal weight, their arms still require them to buy larger shirt sizes just to accommodate the excess skin. An arm lift physically removes this bulk, allowing sleeves to fit comfortably and enabling you to finally enjoy the wardrobe you've worked so hard for.

Our team is ready when you are! During your private consultation, Dr. Claudia Kim will perform a physical evaluation, review your goals, and design a personalized treatment plan to help you reclaim your confidence. You can Book Now online or call our New York office directly at (212)-830-6830 to secure your preferred appointment time.

While Liposuction is the gold standard for permanently removing stubborn pockets of fat, it is not designed to tighten the overlying skin. If you have mild to moderate skin laxity, removing fat can sometimes leave the treated area looking slightly loose or deflated. By pairing your liposuction with a Renuvion® treatment, Dr. Claudia Kim can actively shrink and tighten the skin from the inside out using advanced radiofrequency and helium plasma energy. This dynamic combination ensures your newly sculpted contours look incredibly smooth, firm, and natural.