About Arm Lifts

Arm Lift surgery, also know as a brachioplasty, is becoming a more common procedure in our practice. We are seeing a remarkable increase in the amount of people that have lost a large amount of weight either by diet and exercise or by having gastric bypass surgery. However, as the pounds come off, there can be a large amount of loose, excess skin left behind.  Unfortunately, exercise does not get rid of excess skin. In fact, patients find that as they lose weight the skin under their arms becomes looser and looks even worse! This is where an arm lift comes in.

There are a couple of important things to realize about arm lift surgery. The most important thing is that arm lift surgery is always a trade-off. Whenever you remove skin from the body, there is always a scar where the incisions were made. Although it will fade over time, you are trading a more improved contour of the arm with a scar that runs lengthwise under the arm area. People with a large amount of excess skin or "bat-wings" can really benefit from the surgery. But if you just have a little saggy area under the arms, you are probably better off not having an arm lift.

Some people ask if they can have liposuction under the arms. Liposuction is usually not an option and it makes sense when you really think about it. When you remove fat from under the arms and the skin is not elastic, you just have more loose skin.

It is important to understand that an arm lift is not considered a weight loss procedure and is best suited for men and women that are in relatively good shape. It is not recommended for you if you still need to lose a significant amount of weight because your arms will continue to change.

We have included a Body Mass Index calculator for you to get a general idea if you may be a good candidate for an arm lift at your present weight. You should have a BMI less than 30 to consider an arm lift.

If you have a BMI over 30 and live in the Knoxville area, a private workout facility with an individual trainer may give you the accountability and encouragement you need. Read more here.

Pricing for Surgical Procedures-

The cost of an arm lift surgery with Dr. Reath includes both surgical and anesthesia fees, our exclusive recovery kit and all follow-up visits.

Cash Discount:
Good news! For our patients who would like to pay with cash or check we offer a 5% discount. Also, combining these procedures will give you an additional discount which is reflected on your surgical quote.

Arm Lift

$6219 for both arms - ($5,908 with cash discount)

[Also included in the price of your surgery is a CosmetAssure policy, which protects you in the unlikely event of a complication after surgery. We are the only plastic surgeon's office in Knoxville to provide this important insurance. Read Dr. Reath's blog post where he explains why he feels so strongly about offering this extra safety net to our patients.]

Before and After Arm Lifts- Before and After Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)-  She is 5'6" and weighs 145 pounds. Here is a 32-year-old woman who came to us with concerns about her arms after she had lost over 140 pounds. Dr. Reath performed a brachioplasty and she is pictured here 6 months later very pleased with the new contour to her arms.

Before and After Arm Lift- Having always struggled with her weight, this 23-year-old told us that her upper arms had always been out of proportion to the rest of her body. Then, she lost 50 pounds, which further exacerbated the situation. Her right arm was much worse than her left arm. Dr. Reath performed a brachioplasty and she was so happy to have that excess skin and fat go away!

Recovering from Surgery

An arm lift is done as under general anesthesia (you will be put to sleep). It is generally done on an outpatient basis unless you are having an arm lift in conjunction with other procedures. Most arm lift patients usually take about a week off from work but it can be longer if your job is more physically demanding.

Great Resources for Your Plastic Surgery Research

For More Information About Plastic Surgery After Weight-Loss, Visit our Body Lift Page.

Printable Lists

So you can be better prepared for your consultation, we have prepared a list of important plastic surgery questions you will want to ask your doctor before you have your surgery. If your consultation is with Dr. Reath, please feel free to print this out and he will be happy to go everything with you during your visit. Top Ten Questions to Ask your Plastic Surgeon

Even though the majority of cosmetic surgery patients are pleased with their results, the decision to have a procedure is a big one. It is normal to have questions, and it's important to answer them honestly. In the end, you want to be completely comfortable with your decision.So, are you clear about your motivations for surgery? Are your expectations realistic? Test yourself by answering these important questions. How to Know if You Are  Ready for Plastic Surgery.

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