Am I Suitable for Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty may be considered when loose upper-arm skin cannot be adequately addressed through weight loss, exercise or liposuction alone. Patients should be in suitable general health, at a stable weight and understand that the procedure creates permanent scars. An individual assessment is required to determine whether surgery is appropriate and which technique may be considered.

Where Will My Brachioplasty Scars Be?

A standard brachioplasty scar commonly extends from the armpit towards the elbow along the inner or back part of the upper arm. When loose tissue continues beyond the arm, an extended brachioplasty scar may pass through the armpit and onto the side of the chest. The exact position and length depend on the patient’s anatomy and the amount of tissue being removed. The scars are permanent and may remain visible in sleeveless clothing.

Can Brachioplasty Be Performed With a Short Scar?

A shorter scar may be possible when loose skin is concentrated near the armpit. A short-scar procedure provides less correction and is generally not suitable when loose skin extends toward the elbow or onto the lateral chest. An examination is required to determine whether a limited brachioplasty is appropriate.

Can Liposuction Replace an Arm Lift?

Liposuction can reduce selected areas of localised fat but cannot remove substantially loose skin. When the skin has poor elasticity, liposuction alone may make the laxity more noticeable. You may combine liposuction with brachioplasty when both excess skin and localised fat require treatment.

How Long Does Brachioplasty Recovery Take?

Many patients require approximately two to four weeks away from work, depending on the extent of surgery and the physical demands of their job

Brachioplasty
(Arm Lift) Plastic Surgeon Wollongong & Sydney

Brachioplasty, commonly called arm lift surgery, removes selected excess skin and underlying tissue from the upper arms.

Introduction to Brachioplasty

Understanding Brachioplasty (Arm Lift Surgery)

Loose upper-arm skin often develops after significant weight loss, bariatric surgery, or age-related changes in skin elasticity. For some patients, the excess tissue is confined to the upper arm. For others, it extends through the armpit and onto the side of the chest.

Brachioplasty is not one standard operation. The location and amount of loose tissue determine how much skin can be removed, where the scar should be placed, and whether the procedure should extend beyond the upper arm.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Anthony Barker is based in Sydney and performs brachioplasty surgery for suitable patients from across Australia. Each procedure is planned following an individual assessment of the arms, armpits and lateral chest. Patients travelling from interstate may require additional planning for consultations, surgery and postoperative care.

Risks and Considerations

View Results

Minimalist line drawing of arm contours showing before and after brachioplasty arm lift surgery results - Arm in New South Wales, Australia

What Does Brachioplasty Involve?

Brachioplasty removes excess upper-arm skin and underlying tissue through a planned surgical incision. Liposuction may also be used in selected patients when localised fat contributes to the arm contour.

The operation replaces loose skin with a permanent scar. A shorter scar may be possible when excess skin is limited to the area near the armpit. When loose tissue extends towards the elbow or onto the side of the chest, a longer incision is generally required.

Stopping the incision too early may leave untreated skin folds or create an abrupt change between treated and untreated areas. Extending the procedure may address a larger area, but it also creates a longer and potentially more visible scar.

During consultation, Dr Barker discusses the expected scar pattern, achievable correction, and surgery’s limitations.

Risks & Recovery

Types of Brachioplasty

The terminology used to describe arm lift procedures varies. The surgical plan is generally based on the area requiring treatment.

A limited brachioplasty may be considered when loose skin is concentrated near the armpit.

The incision is shorter and may be partly positioned within the armpit. However, the degree of correction is limited. This approach is not generally suitable when loose skin extends further down the upper arm.

Brachioplasty Scars

All brachioplasty procedures create permanent scars.

A standard arm lift scar commonly extends from the armpit towards the elbow along the inner or back part of the upper arm. An extended brachioplasty also creates a scar through the armpit and onto the side of the chest.

The exact position and length of the scar depend on the patient’s anatomy and the amount and location of skin being removed.

Arm lift scars may remain visible in sleeveless clothing. Scar quality also varies between patients. Scars can become widened, raised, thickened, contracted, uncomfortable or more noticeable than expected.

Dr Barker will explain the anticipated scar pattern so the patient can consider whether the possible change in arm contour is worth the permanent scar involved.

Brachioplasty and Liposuction

Brachioplasty and arm liposuction treat different concerns.

Liposuction removes selected areas of localised fat but does not remove substantially loose skin. When skin elasticity is poor, removing fat without removing skin may make the laxity more noticeable.

Liposuction may be combined with brachioplasty when both excess skin and localised fat contribute to the arm contour. It is not required in every case.

Dr Barker assesses skin quality, tissue thickness, and fat distribution before recommending brachioplasty, liposuction, or a combination of the two.

Dr Anthony Barker in blue scrubs consulting with patient in medical office - in New South Wales, Australia

Arm Lift Surgery After Significant Weight Loss

Following significant weight loss, loose tissue may affect several connected areas, including the upper arms, armpits, lateral chest and breasts.

Brachioplasty should therefore be planned in the context of the patient’s wider body-contouring priorities rather than considering the upper arms in isolation.

Patients should generally be at or close to their goal weight and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months before surgery.

Following bariatric surgery, body-contouring procedures are commonly considered around 12 to 18 months after surgery, once rapid weight loss has finished, and weight has remained stable.

Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery may also have anaemia, protein deficiency or low levels of iron, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D or other nutrients that can affect healing.

Dr Barker may request blood tests and input from the patient’s general practitioner, bariatric surgeon, or dietitian. Any identified nutritional deficiencies may need to be treated before surgery proceeds.

When several areas require treatment, Dr Barker may recommend staging the procedures to limit operating time and make recovery more manageable.

Planning Brachioplasty Surgery With Dr Barker

During a brachioplasty consultation, Dr Barker assesses the upper arms, armpits and lateral chest to determine where the excess tissue begins and ends.

The assessment may include discussion of:

Medical history and current health
Previous operations
Weight changes and weight stability
Previous bariatric surgery
Current medicines and allergies
Smoking, vaping and other nicotine exposure
Skin quality and tissue distribution
The patient’s concerns and treatment priorities

Dr Barker will discuss the type of brachioplasty that may be suitable, the expected scar position, whether liposuction may be appropriate, the limitations of surgery, possible alternatives, recovery requirements and potential risks.

The option of not proceeding with surgery is also discussed.

For cosmetic surgery, the practice will explain the applicable referral, consultation, psychological screening, informed consent and cooling-off requirements under current Medical Board of Australia guidelines.

Dr Anthony Barker in scrubs and glasses speaking with healthcare colleague in medical setting - in New South Wales, Australia

White ethereal smoke wisps dispersing against light background creating abstract atmospheric pattern

Recovery After Brachioplasty

Your Guide to Post-Brachioplasty Care

Recovery varies depending on the extent of surgery, whether the procedure extends onto the chest, and the patient’s individual health and healing.

Swelling, bruising, tightness, discomfort and changes in sensation are expected during the early recovery period. Some assistance may be required with dressing, washing, household tasks and other everyday activities.

A compression garment may be recommended to support the arms during recovery.

Arm lift incisions are affected by everyday movements such as reaching, pushing, pulling and getting in and out of bed. Patients must avoid lifting, strenuous housework, upper-body exercise, and repeatedly stretching the arms until medically cleared.

Many patients require approximately two to four weeks away from work. The timeframe depends on the extent of surgery and the physical demands of the patient’s job. Restrictions commonly remain in place for approximately six weeks, while return to strenuous upper-body exercise may take longer.

Swelling may continue for several months. Brachioplasty scars are permanent and commonly take 12 to 18 months or longer to mature.

These timeframes are general estimates. Recovery may take longer if wound-healing or other complications occur.

Risks and Recovery Considerations

Brachioplasty is major surgery. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, fluid collection, delayed wound healing, wound separation, noticeable scarring, changes in sensation, asymmetry, arm swelling, blood clots and the need for further treatment or revision surgery.

Incisions passing through the armpit may be affected by arm movement and scar tightening. More extensive surgery generally involves greater recovery demands.

Smoking or nicotine use, nutritional deficiencies and certain medical conditions can also affect healing.

Dr Barker will discuss the risks most relevant to the proposed procedure and the patient’s individual health. Results, scar quality and recovery timeframes vary and cannot be guaranteed.

Brachioplasty Costs, Medicare and Private Health Insurance

The cost of brachioplasty depends on the extent of surgery and whether treatment is limited to the arms or extends into the armpits and lateral chest. We provide an individualised quotation after consultation, including an outline of the expected surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital fees.

A Medicare rebate may be available when surgery satisfies all requirements of a relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule item. For redundant non-abdominal skin following significant weight loss, MBS item 30169 may apply in selected circumstances.

Eligibility includes specific requirements relating to functional problems, the amount of weight lost and weight stability before surgery. Brachioplasty performed solely for cosmetic reasons is not covered by Medicare.

When an eligible MBS item applies, private health insurance may contribute towards hospital costs depending on the patient’s policy and level of cover. The practice cannot guarantee Medicare and private health insurance benefits, and out-of-pocket costs may remain.

Brachioplasty Consultations in Sydney

Dr Barker is based in Sydney and consults at Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney CBD and Surry Hills. He performs brachioplasty and post-weight-loss body-contouring surgery for suitable patients from across New South Wales and throughout Australia.

Patients travelling from interstate may be able to complete some appointments by telehealth. An in-person clinical assessment is required before surgery, and patients must remain in Sydney for an appropriate period following their procedure.

Postoperative arrangements are planned individually based on the procedure, recovery requirements, and where the patient lives.

Dr Barker requires an individual consultation and clinical assessment before recommending a brachioplasty technique, scar pattern, or surgical quotation.

Dr Anthony Barker standing in operating room with surgical lights and medical equipment in background - in New South Wales, Australia

FAQ’s

Brachioplasty may be considered when loose upper-arm skin cannot be adequately addressed through weight loss, exercise or liposuction alone.

Patients should be in suitable general health, at a stable weight and understand that the procedure creates permanent scars. An individual assessment is required to determine whether surgery is appropriate and which technique may be considered.
A standard brachioplasty scar commonly extends from the armpit towards the elbow along the inner or back part of the upper arm.

When loose tissue continues beyond the arm, an extended brachioplasty scar may pass through the armpit and onto the side of the chest.

The exact position and length depend on the patient’s anatomy and the amount of tissue being removed. The scars are permanent and may remain visible in sleeveless clothing.

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Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Plastic Surgeon Wollongong & Sydney