From £4,500
1-2 Hours
1-2 Weeks
General and Local Anaesthetic
Long-Lasting
A brachioplasty arm lift is a surgical procedure designed to improve the contour of the upper arms by removing loose or excess skin. Depending on the amount and location of fatty tissue, fat can also be removed as part of the operation.
The procedure usually focuses on the underside of the upper arm, between the armpit and elbow. The length and position of the incision will depend on how much skin needs to be removed and the result that can realistically be achieved.
An upper arm lift can create a smoother and more proportionate contour, but it is important to understand that surgery will leave a permanent scar. Your surgeon will explain the likely scar position during your consultation so that you can make an informed decision.
Brachioplasty is not a weight loss procedure. It is intended for people who are at or close to a stable weight but have excess upper arm skin that is unlikely to respond to diet or exercise.
Arm lift surgery addresses loose upper arm skin that remains despite maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. This can occur following substantial weight loss, as part of the natural ageing process or because of individual skin characteristics.
An arm lift requires an incision and will leave a permanent scar. The scar is commonly positioned along the inner or underside of the upper arm, although its exact position and length depend on the surgical plan.
Scars are usually more noticeable during the early stages of healing. They can initially appear red, raised or firm before gradually maturing. The final appearance varies between patients and cannot be predicted with certainty.
Your individual healing response can be affected by genetics, skin type, smoking, sun exposure, wound tension and how closely postoperative instructions are followed. Some people are more likely to develop raised or widened scars.
The change in upper arm contour can be visible soon after surgery, but swelling and bruising may temporarily affect the appearance. The result becomes clearer as healing progresses.
Arm lift results can be long-lasting when a stable weight is maintained. However, surgery does not stop the effects of ageing and cannot prevent future changes in skin or body weight.
Loose or hanging skin beneath the upper arms
Excess skin following significant weight loss
Upper arm skin that causes rubbing, chafing or irritation
Difficulty keeping folds of skin clean and dry
Upper arms that feel out of proportion with the rest of your body
Concerns about wearing short-sleeved or sleeveless clothing
Arm lift surgery and liposuction address different concerns. The most appropriate option depends on whether the appearance of the upper arms is primarily caused by excess skin, localised fat or a combination of both.
| Arm Lift | Upper Arm Liposuction | Combined Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Primarily removes loose or hanging skin | Primarily removes localised fatty tissue | Addresses both excess skin and localised fat where both are present |
| Usually involves a longer incision and permanent scar | Uses smaller access incisions but does not remove substantial loose skin | Incisions and scar length depend on the planned arm lift |
| Best suited to patients with significant loose skin following weight loss | Best suited to patients with localised fat and sufficient skin elasticity to adapt after fat removal | Best suited to patients with both significant skin laxity and localised fatty tissue |
| Recovery reflects skin removal and wound healing | Recovery usually focuses on swelling and bruising | Recovery depends on the extent of both procedures |
| Suitability requires a surgical assessment | Suitability depends on fat distribution and skin elasticity | Requires careful assessment and individual surgical planning |
Your consultation is an opportunity to explain what concerns you about your upper arms and what you hope surgery will achieve. Your surgeon will examine the skin and underlying tissue before discussing whether brachioplasty, liposuction or another approach may be appropriate.
During the operation, an incision is made in a position selected according to the amount and location of excess skin. For patients with more extensive skin laxity, the incision may extend from the armpit towards the elbow. Excess skin is carefully removed, and the remaining tissue is repositioned to create a smoother upper arm contour.
Before leaving the clinic, you will receive information about wound care, medicines, bathing, sleeping position, garment use and activity restrictions. Follow-up appointments allow the clinic to monitor healing and answer questions during your recovery.
Harley Street Clinic Surrey provides surgical consultations and treatments from its clinic in Reigate. The clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission and has facilities for carrying out regulated clinical procedures.
Your care should begin with a detailed assessment rather than a standard treatment recommendation. The consultation allows the surgeon to consider your health, skin, fatty tissue, scar placement and expected result before recommending whether an arm lift is appropriate.
Patients considering brachioplasty can expect:
If you are considering more than one area of surgery, this should be discussed carefully so that safety, recovery and treatment priorities can be assessed. Information about related procedures, including liposuction and BodyTite, is also available through the clinic.
All treatments are performed by fully qualified and experienced medical practitioners.
Our clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
We will follow up with you and take care of any questions you have before or after treatment.
Our doctors are on the General Medical Council's specialist register.
We only use MHRA-approved, market-leading products for all our treatments.
Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Aesthetic Surgeon
Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Harley Street Clinic Surrey is located in central Reigate, welcoming surgical patients from across Surrey, Sussex, South London and the wider South East.
The clinic is conveniently positioned for patients travelling from areas including Redhill, Epsom, Banstead, Sutton, Croydon, Oxted, Cobham, Leatherhead, Dorking, Guildford, Woking, Crawley, East Grinstead, Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks.
Use the map below to find the clinic and plan your journey.
Arm lift surgery at Harley Street Clinic Surrey is priced from £4,500.
The final upper arm lift cost will depend on the extent of skin removal, whether fat removal is required, the planned anaesthetic and the complexity of the operation.
Exercise can strengthen and condition the muscles of the arms, but it cannot remove significant excess skin. If your concern is primarily loose skin rather than muscle tone or localised fat, a surgical assessment can help clarify your options.
Liposuction may be combined with an arm lift when both excess skin and localised fat are present. Combined treatment is not necessary or suitable for every patient. The decision will depend on your skin quality, anatomy and overall health.
You should wait until you can move your arms comfortably, control the vehicle safely and perform an emergency stop. You must also be free from any medicine that affects alertness. Follow the advice of your surgical team and check the requirements of your motor insurer.
The recommended period depends on the extent of surgery and your surgeon’s postoperative protocol. If a garment is required, you will be told how to wear it and when it can be removed for bathing and washing.
