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Are you struggling with excess skin?

Have you undergone weight loss but still have difficulty with excess skin and fat on the upper arms? Going private for the procedure ensures that you get seen quicker and can feel confident to live life to the full once more.



How much does private arm lift surgery cost?

View our self-pay treatment prices and discounts for Benenden Health members below.

Take advantage of payment plans through our trusted partner, Chrysalis, and spread the cost of your treatment. Fit your repayments into your monthly budget rather than having to find the full cost at the time of your treatment.

Procedure type
Initial consultation price
Treatment price*
Monthly cost**
Member discount
Arm lift
£265
From £5,950
From £143.87
10%
Arm lift
Initial consultation price
£265

Treatment price*
From £5,950

Monthly cost**
From £143.87

Member discount
10%

Gill’s arm lift surgery success

I have a question about arm lift surgery

I have a question about arm lift surgery video transcript

Who would have arm lift surgery?

People have brachioplasty or an arm lift to remove the excess skin, fat and tissue that can be left behind following age time, gravity, weight loss.

And it just makes people feel far more confident. A lot of the time people will lose that confidence and they don't want to wear certain items of clothing, strappy tops, short sleeves. So it's more about building self-confidence and feeling happy in your clothes and comfortable.

What is arm lift surgery?

People have brachioplasty or an arm lift to remove the excess skin, fat and tissue that can be left behind following age time, gravity, weight loss.

And it just makes people feel far more confident. A lot of the time people will lose that confidence and they don't want to wear certain items of clothing, strappy tops, short sleeves. So it's more about building self-confidence and feeling happy in your clothes and comfortable.

Is arm lift surgery painful?

As with any procedure, there is a level of discomfort. So you will have incisions, but generally these aren't painful. you will have some dressings or some tape over those incisions. And then we'll ask you to wear some compression garments for around about six weeks.

We'll also ask you to elevate your arms and not extend them more than about a 90 degree angle. However, we do want you to move your shoulders so that these don't get sore stiff, but generally speaking, no, it's not painful surgery.

What happens during a arm lift surgery consultation?

In your initial consultation with your consultant, you will come into the hospital and you will go into an outpatient clinic room where you'll meet the surgeon and myself and we will go through some questions with you. We'll ask you about your medical history, your social history, make sure that you've got some support after surgery that you're fit and well enough to have surgery.

And we will ask you what it is that bothers you what you want from the surgery. And we'll make sure that we fully understand what it is that you're expecting and how we can help to fix that.

We will offer you what we believe to be the best option as well as other options available to you. So you can have slightly longer or shorter scars. Sometimes it can go into the armpit. And some people also like it to go down onto the chest wall just to remove any extra skin that you might have back fat bra overhang. So, this is something that can also be implemented to the surgery itself.

What else can I expect after an arm lift?

Following brachioplasty procedure, you will stay with us in hospital, either for the day or more commonly overnight, just so we can make sure that you're comfortable and due to slightly decreased mobility of your arms, we want to make sure that you're getting around.

You will have dressings or tape on for the first week to two weeks and then you'll come back and see myself for a wound check and dressing change.

You'll see your Consultant again around six weeks and again around 12 weeks. You will have compression garments to wear for the first six weeks. Preferably, we ask you to minimize the movement of your arms.

So when you're resting to have them elevated around heart level and not to extend them more than about a 90 degree angle, we do want you to be able to move your shoulders around so that you don't get a stiff or frozen shoulder.

You'll go home if you're staying overnight the next morning and we will give you a phone call, follow up as well.

What is arm lift surgery?

After losing a significant amount of weight and embarking on a program of vigorous exercise, you may find that you still have loose, hanging underarm skin that resembles bat wings. Although you can improve your upper-arm appearance with exercise, this redundant underarm skin remains a problem that does not improve with exercise.

Arm lift surgery is an operation that removes excess skin and fat from your upper arms that might develop with age or after weight loss.

What is the aim of arm lift surgery?

The aim of surgery is to remove the excess hanging tissue over in the upper arms and sides of the chest. This will help improve symptoms related to the excess skin such as rashes, blistering and irritation. It can also improve mobility by removing the heavy hanging tissue, which may aid in exercise and further weight loss.

What should I think about prior to my arm lift consultation?

Before seeing our Consultant Plastic Surgeons, you should think about what you are hoping to achieve from a arm lift. Points to consider may include:

  • Do you have any medical conditions or drug allergies? Are you being treated for any medical conditions?
  • Have you had any previous surgeries?
  • What are your current medications and vitamin and herbal supplements?
  • What is your history with any non-invasive cosmetic procedures?
  • What outcome do you expect from the surgery? What is your chief motivation in undergoing an upper arm lift?

How long does arm lift surgery take?

An upper arm reduction or an arm lift is usually performed under general anaesthetic and takes 90-120 minutes. Your surgeon will make a long incision between your elbow and armpit. Depending on your condition and situation the incision could be minimal. Be sure to discuss your incision with your surgeon. Segments of skin and fat will be removed and the remaining skin and tissue will be lifted resulting in a tight, smooth look.

Dressings will be applied and small tubes (drains) may be put in to drain any fluid or blood from the wound. Elastic bandages will be applied to support the area. You will be given medication for pain relief.

Upper arm reduction and lift usually takes approximately two hours depending on the amount of reduction required and whether other procedures like liposuction are performed.

Will arm lift surgery be painful?

You should expect to feel pain and discomfort during the first week of recovery which can be managed with pain relief medication. Your consultant will recommend appropriate medication.

What else can I expect after arm lift surgery?

You may be placed in a compression garment or wrap immediately following surgery. Wear this exactly as directed. Remove it only as directed for cleansing incisions or showering. You must have a responsible adult take you home and remain with you continuously for at least 24 hours after surgery. Although rare, emergencies do occur. You should have someone help you to the bathroom the first few times in case you experience dizziness or light-headedness.

Drink only liquids for the first few hours after surgery. Advance slowly to small, light meals. If you experience nausea or vomiting more than once, call your doctor. Excessive vomiting and retching can result in bleeding beneath the skin.

Gently get out of bed as soon as possible after your surgery. Sit with your legs hanging over the edge of the bed or chair for a few minutes before standing. Begin to walk as much as possible as soon as you can, but do not exert yourself. Avoid strenuous activities that involve arm movement, such as raising your arms over your head or lifting. A balance of rest and reduced activity will speed up your recovery.

You will have a mild to moderate amount of pain and discomfort. This should be easily controlled with oral medications.

The discomfort and pain should begin to decrease within 48 hours after surgery. If you have a significant increase in pain after this period, call your plastic surgeon. Severe pain is rare; if you experience this, call the doctor immediately.

Expect bruising and swelling. These symptoms will peak within the first 36 to 48 hours after surgery and will gradually subside over the next 10 to 14 days. To minimise swelling, sleep with your arms elevated with pillows for two weeks after the surgery.

What is the recovery period from arm lift surgery?

You will need a few weeks to recover and heal from an arm lift procedure. It will be at least one or two weeks before you can return to work and about 10 days before you can drive.

  • During the first week, avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, which could cause bleeding at the operative site
  • Do not subject your incisions to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing
  • Walking is the safest exercise, especially during the first week
  • Avoid exercises that directly stress the area of your surgery for a full four weeks
  • After a month, you can start cardiovascular activities, such as riding a stationary bicycle or brisk walking
  • Avoid heavy lifting, contact sports and jogging for up to six weeks
  • By six weeks after your arm lift procedure, you should be able to resume your normal level of activity

Our cosmetic surgery team

Kate Comrie, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery.

Kate Comrie

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery

Kate is the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery at Benenden Hospital.

Miss Anita Hazari, Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Anita Hazari

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Miss Anita Hazari specialises in cosmetic breast surgery, body contouring (tummy tuck and arm lift), labiaplasty, and upper eyelid surgery.

Mr Christopher Macdonald, Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Christopher Macdonald

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Mr Macdonald's clinical interests include breast reduction surgery, abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, body contouring, brachioplasty or arm lift.

Mr Simon P Mackey, Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon at Benenden Hospital

Simon P Mackey

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon

Mr Mackey's clinical interests include breast reduction surgery, mastopexy or breast uplift, abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, brachioplasty or arm lift.

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