Arm Lift

An armplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms to create slimmer and firmer arms. The arm lift is also known as brachioplasty. It is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin on the upper arms. The aim is to improve the contour of the arms. Loose skin on the arms is removed, and the surgeon aims for a tighter appearance. The entire upper arm is viewed.

Usually an incision along the inside of the arm, from armpit to elbow, is needed to get rid of all excess skin and contour the arm. Loose skin and fat can also accumulate just above the elbow. An armplasty helps create more beautiful and slimmer arms.

The difference between an arm lift and fat removal upper arms (liposuction) is that an arm lift focuses on removing excess skin (including subcutaneous fat), especially for loose, sagging or drooping skin. Fat removal via liposuction is suitable when the skin is still tight and only excess fat needs to be removed. The suction technique can help achieve a more beautiful contour, limiting scarring.

Opt for an arm lift for loose, droopy skin and for fat removal upper arms (liposuction arms) when the skin of your arms is still tight but excess fat is present (too fat upper arms). View information on arms liposuction instead of an arm lift with fat removal. The surgeon will see which procedure is best for you and discuss this at the no-obligation consultation.

Due to genetics, age, smoking, losing weight or other life factors, the skin on the arms can become increasingly saggy. This is a process we cannot stop and some people suffer from it more than others. Fortunately, however, the plastic surgeon can solve it with an arm lift.

The stretched skin is shortened, so to speak, by removing skin, thus making the arms tighter again. This improves the overall contour of the arms. Physically, you also experience benefits. People often feel better about themselves, as they suffer less from flabby arms.

An arm lift under the armpit, also known as a mini arm lift, is a less invasive form of brachioplasty in which only the excess skin in the area directly under the armpit is removed. This procedure is suitable for people with mild skin laxity near the armpits and leaves a smaller, less visible scar compared to a full arm lift.

A mini arm lift is a less invasive version of the traditional arm lift, where only a small amount of skin is removed. The mini arm lift is also known as the limited arm lift. This procedure usually focuses on the upper part of the arm, near the armpit, and the incision is therefore shorter and less visible. It is suitable for people who have only mild skin laxity, often due to mild ageing or minor weight changes. The scar from an arm lift under the armpit usually has a short, horizontal shape and is discreetly located in the armpit crease. This scar is less visible compared to a full arm lift because it is limited to the area under the armpit and does not run along the entire arm.

In rare cases, your one arm looks visibly different from your other arm. By the way, every person has to deal with this to some extent. This is because you are left- or right-handed and therefore use the muscles on one side more. However, when the difference between the two arms is so great that it is disturbing, arm lift can sometimes offer a solution. Again, this is bespoke, so book a no-obligation consultation for personal advice on an arm lift for uneven arms. Have you had surgery done elsewhere and the arm lift failed? Then too, you can come to Wellness Kliniek for an arm correction and arm reoperation.

The extended arm lift is a good procedure after a lot of weight loss has taken place. This leaves flabby skin (loose skin under upper arms). The sagging skin usually extends to the elbow. With surgery, this can be resolved. It is that final step in the transformation after you have lost a lot of weight. It often involves weight loss following a surgical procedure, such as gastric bypass. The extended arm lift provides a tighter and smoother arm.

An arm lift is suitable for both women and men who suffer from excess skin or fat on the upper arms. In practice, however, women are more likely to have the procedure performed because women are more likely to suffer from sagging skin under the arms than men. This is due to hormonal differences in women that lead to less muscle mass and more fat storage in the upper body, especially after menopause. In addition, women have naturally thinner connective tissue, which makes women's skin less tight and firm than men's. Sometimes, after menopause, women opt for an arm lift as part of the full mommy makeover.

Men opt for an arm lift less often than women, but still regularly. They can also benefit from it, especially after weight loss or skin ageing. Wellness Kliniek welcomes both women and men for a professionally performed arm lift, tailored to your body.

An arm lift is a good choice for people who suffer from excess, sagging skin on the upper arms, often caused by weight loss or ageing. If the skin is sagging and not springing back, even after exercising or losing weight, an arm lift can help tighten the arms.

This procedure is a good choice for people who are bothered by the appearance of their ‘flubby arms’ or wrinkled skin, also called wrinkled upper arms, flabby upper arms or wrinkled skin arms. In short, you want to tighten your upper arms.

In addition, an arm lift can be a good option after gastric bypass, when large amounts of excess skin remain. People often choose this procedure to boost their self-confidence and achieve a more youthful, tighter silhouette.

You are eligible for an arm lift if you have sufficiently sagging skin around the upper arms. The skin of the arms loses elasticity due to age, weight loss, pregnancy or taking medication. This creates sagging skin that can be aesthetically and functionally undesirable. It is important that your expectations about the procedure and the result are right, which is why you discuss the details of the procedure with the plastic surgeon beforehand.

A mini arm lift, also known as a limited arm lift or minimal-incision arm lift, is suitable if you have only a small amount of excess skin, often just under the armpit, so that a limited incision can be made. The scar from an armlift under the armpit usually has a short, horizontal shape and is discreetly hidden in the armpit crease by the plastic surgeon.

The scar from a mini arm lift can vary in size, but is usually several centimetres long, depending on the amount of skin to be tightened. The advantage of a mini arm lift is that the scar in the armpit is less visible compared to a full arm lift. In addition, unlike a full arm lift, recovery is shorter and scarring is more subtle. Liposuction arms can be combined with a mini arm lift if necessary to remove excess fat without additional skin correction.

An arm lift, also called full arm lift or total arm lift or standard arm lift or traditional arm lift, is a popular treatment at Wellness Kliniek. This involves making an incision along the inside of the arm, from your armpit towards the elbow. This treatment is suitable if you have significant sagging skin on your upper arms. Excess subcutaneous fat is simultaneously removed to give your arms a nice shape.

An extended arm lift, also called a large arm lift or extended brachioplasty, is suitable if you have a large amount of excess skin and fat, often after bariatric surgery or significant weight changes.

The scar from an extended arm lift is significantly longer compared to other arm lift procedures. The scar usually runs from the armpit along the inside of the upper arm to (or just below) the elbow. After major weight loss, the plastic surgeon may (sometimes in a second stage) extend the scar to the side of the chest, depending on how much skin needs to be removed. We call this treatment body contouring or body contouring.

Yes. An arm lift after gastric bypass or after significant weight loss can be a good option to remove excess skin, but it is important to have a stable weight for a considerable time before considering an arm lift. Always consult with your surgeon for a tailor-made treatment plan.

The procedures arm lift and gastric bypass are frequently combined. After all, after a gastric bypass you lose a lot of weight, and this is often clearly visible on the arms in the form of loose skin. Precisely because you often want to show off your slimmer body then, the arms are an area to tackle. Besides the fact that tighter skin looks better with bare arms, loose skin on the arms can also just be really annoying. It can start to irritate, chafe, and therefore cause sweating and irritation, possibly leading to inflammation. In short, doing an arm lift after a gastric bypass is often a good choice!

At Wellness Kliniek, you can go for both a gastric bypass and an arm lift. The specialised doctors in these techniques can consult each other and work closely together to provide you with tailor-made treatment.

An arm lift can generally be considered from the age of 18, but the ideal age depends on factors such as your health, skin elasticity and recovery from any weight changes. An arm lift is often recommended for people who are stable in their weight and do not expect any major future changes, usually after the age of 30.

At Wellness Kliniek, we mainly receive patients aged between 30 and 70, depending on the type of arm lift:

• A mini arm lift is popular among younger people. Young women sometimes opt for a mini arm lift earlier, to give their arms just a bit more shape.
• A (standard) arm lift is most commonly done on women aged 45 and over.
• The extended arm lift is most popular with men and women who have lost a lot of weight and therefore have a lot of sagging skin under the arms.

There is thus no set age at which you should have an arm lift done, and the desirable time depends on individual factors such as skin laxity and weight loss, among others. Your doctor will assess whether you are a suitable candidate for arm lift surgery based on these factors and your personal circumstances.

An arm lift involves removing excess skin and fat along the upper arms, usually through an incision on the inside of your upper arms, from the armpit to just above the elbow. After tightening the skin and tissues, the incision is closed and a recovery period with arm stocking or a compression bandage follows, for 3 to 6 weeks, to support healing.

When asked whether an arm lift is painful, the answer is no! In fact, during the arm lift surgery itself, you won't feel any pain thanks to the anaesthesia or sedation. After the procedure, you may experience some pain, swelling and discomfort, but this is usually controlled with painkillers. Pain after arm lift subsides after a few days to weeks.

Shortly after the procedure, your skin will already look tighter. Once the swelling has subsided - after about six weeks - you will see the beautiful result. However, the wound, the subcutaneous tissue and the scar still need to heal completely. After about 3 to 6 months, you will see the final result of the arm lift procedure.

Yes, the result of an arm lift is basically permanent, as excess skin and fat are permanently removed. However, factors such as ageing, weight changes and loss of skin elasticity can affect the shape of your arms over time, which can change the arm lift result.

So it is important to be aware that your arms may become thicker again and your skin may sag and droop a little. A re-surgery after a few years is possible to keep the arm lift result optimal.

Yes, an arm lift scar will remain visible. Fortunately, the scar will fade over time so that it is little to no longer noticeable, provided the aftercare rules are followed properly of course. The scar after arm lift normally runs along the inside of the arm, from the armpit to the elbow. The scar may also be shorter, and hidden just below the armpit, for example if the mini arm lift is chosen. Your doctor will inform you in advance about what to expect from the arm lift scar. Moreover, the doctor will always choose to operate with as little incision as possible.

The scar position of an arm lift usually runs vertically, along the inside or back of the upper arm, from the armpit to just above the elbow. In some cases, depending on the amount of skin to be removed, the scar may be longer or shorter

In a mini arm lift, the plastic surgeon makes only a few centimetres incision in the armpit. The position of the scar in a mini arm lift is usually horizontal and hidden just below the armpit. A mini arm lift is sometimes combined with liposuction. The exact arm lift method can vary from person to person. During a personal consultation with a specialised surgeon at Wellness Kliniek, you will be advised on the options to achieve the best result.

The healing of an arm lift scar usually takes several months. In the first 2-3 weeks, the wound is still fresh and fiery red. The scar may take 6 months to 18 months to stabilise, fade and soften. Regular massaging with a scar cream and avoiding sunlight can help the healing process.

Poorly healing scars or keloid formation are usually due to genetic predisposition, skin type, or complications during recovery, and not the surgeon or sutures. If your scar is healing poorly, consult your doctor. Your doctor will usually ask you to be patient until the scar is stabilised. The doctor may opt for treatments such as silicone gel, cortisone injections or laser therapy to reduce keloids. Sometimes, over time, re-surgery is necessary. Continued good communication with your doctor and patience are crucial for optimal healing.

During arm lift recovery, it is important to limit physical exertion and keep the incision sites clean. Watch for signs of infection or complications, such as abnormal swelling, and carefully follow all aftercare instructions from your plastic surgeon.
After arm lift surgery, the plastic surgeon may recommend that you wear elastic arm stockings or compression garments to reduce swelling and smooth the skin. Recovery arm lift takes several weeks, with most daily activities able to resume after an average of two weeks.

After the arm lift, your surgeon at Wellness Kliniek will give you a personalised document with your personal aftercare rules after arm lift, so that you can read through everything at your leisure at home. It is important that you follow the aftercare rules after arm lift carefully, for the best arm lift recovery.

Make sure someone comes to pick you up after arm lift surgery, as you are not allowed to drive yourself. We advise you not to be alone for the first 24 hours anyway, given the effects of the anaesthetic and because you normally use your arms throughout the day. So you can use some help.

The doctor usually recommends an elastic bandage or elastic arm stocking to support recovery. Depending on how the arm lift was performed, it may be nice to have someone around the house to help you a little during the first week after the procedure. Let them pamper you with cooking, cleaning and help with personal care. After about 2 weeks, you can pick up light work yourself.

Yes, it is even important to move your arms calmly and carefully in the first weeks after an arm lift to avoid stiffness. However, lifting or putting force on your arms should be avoided, so it's really about gentle movements. Follow your doctor's instructions.

No, because you need to make sure the wound stays dry. You can, of course, wash yourself with a flannel. Would you still like to shower? Sometimes a special shower cover can help. We do advise you not to lift your arms (i.e. not to wash your hair yourself). Avoid pressure and soap, as this carries risks.

Depending on the procedure, you can return to work after 1 to 6 weeks. This is a wide range, but that's because it depends on the specific surgery and the nature of your work. Get personal advice from your doctor. They can already give an indication of this before you undergo the procedure, so you can make the right preparations.

It is nice to be able to postpone your work for a while, and for this you will receive a medical certificate after your operation. After an arm lift, it is usually necessary to take 1 to 6 weeks of work leave, depending on the complexity of the arm lift and the nature of your work and how quickly you recover. Physically more strenuous work may require a longer recovery period of up to 6 weeks to avoid complications.

Besides medical reasons, rest after surgery is also just a bit more pleasant. You feel less pressure and can have a nice time to yourself during that time.

The advice is to wait at least 4 weeks, but preferably 6 weeks, before returning to sport. Team sports should also be avoided during this time. However, you may do light exercises a little earlier. For instance, walking is very good for circulation (unless recommended otherwise). In short, exercise calmly, but not intensively after arm lift.

Possible complications of an arm lift include infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, scarring (such as keloids), numbness or tingling in the arms, asymmetry of the arms, and thrombosis. In addition, fluid accumulation (seroma) may occur, and in rare cases complications due to anaesthesia or allergic reactions may occur.

Fortunately, these complications are not that common, but you should be aware of the dangers and risks of surgery. Good communication, aftercare and consultation with your surgeon reduce these risks.

In case of complications or severe pain after an arm lift, it is important to contact your surgeon immediately for evaluation. Contact your surgeon on the number you were given after your operation. Your surgeon at Wellness Kliniek will be there for you 24/7 until complete healing.

If you experience symptoms such as stabbing pain, fever, redness or pus formation, you should seek medical advice from your doctor promptly to avoid more serious complications.

After an arm lift, pain may persist for at least up to six weeks. This is normal. You can take paracetamol or another painkiller daily. With this, the pain should become less and less, until it resembles a numb feeling/muscle pain. If you suffer from severe pain, contact your doctor. The surgeon at Wellness Kliniek is there for you if you have any concerns or doubts. You can always go there for advice after your operation and a (free) follow-up consultation.

Arm lift benefits apply both aesthetically and physically. For example, patients often feel more beautiful and comfortable after the procedure. They also notice this physically, as skin is less chafed, reducing the risk of irritated skin.

One of the biggest arm lift disadvantages is the period of recovery. Considering you use your arms a lot on a daily basis, you can use some help in the days after surgery. So you are temporarily dependent on help.

In addition, as with any surgical procedure, there is always a chance of complications. Fortunately, these chances are not so great if you follow the doctor's after-care rules properly and maintain good communication with your doctor. At Wellness Kliniek, follow-up consultations after your surgery are free of charge. Take advantage of it!

At Wellness Kliniek Belgium, plastic surgery with a Medical Indication is subject to a VAT exemption. This means that when the procedure is medically necessary, such as functional problems, you do not have to pay VAT. For cosmetic procedures without medical necessity, the normal VAT rate of 21% does apply. Check with your doctor at Wellness Kliniek whether the procedure falls under Medical Indication to make use of this exemption.

You can get a Medical Indication for an arm lift, especially if there are functional problems due to excess skin, such as skin irritation or infections. This is common in people who have lost a lot of weight and suffer from severe sagging skin. During the consultation, we will discuss whether there is Medical Indication. Check the arm lift reimbursement terms of your own (private) insurance, if applicable.

Would you like to have your arms lifted without surgery? Working out and dieting often do not offer the desired outcome, as you will be left with excess fat. Sometimes the skin still rebounds, but if not then surgery is necessary to remove the skin. In some cases, non-invasive treatments, such as laser therapy and other treatments at the beautician, offer relief, but this result is usually temporary.

The biggest difference before and after will be visible with plastic surgery: liposuction arms or arm lift surgery. Book a consultation at Wellness Kliniek and discover your options for an arm lift with or without surgery.

Yes. Wrinkled skin or loose cellulite-like skin are a sign of sagging skin. An arm lift focuses mainly on removing that excess skin, which can improve both sagging and wrinkled upper arms. For mild wrinkles, other treatments, such as laser treatment, may also be considered.

After arm lift surgery, you will have tighter and smoother arms, and be rid of excess and droopy skin. Say goodbye to flabby arms! And opt for arms that are nicely balanced with the rest of your body. After 3 to 6 weeks, you will see the final arm lift result. Take a look at arm lift after photos to get a good idea of the arms before and after the procedure. Keep in mind that the result may look different for everyone.

For several years in a row, Wellness Kliniek has won the WhatClinic Awards for outstanding patient experiences. We are incredibly proud of that! Discover Wellness Kliniek's excellent arm lift experiences and arm lift reviews. Patients report after arm lift treatment that they are very satisfied with the treatment and happy with their improved silhouette of the arms. Thus, they feel more confident in shirts, tops, dresses and jackets, with or without sleeves. Physical benefits are also reported in the reviews, such as reduced sweating and chafing arms.

You can have an expert arm lift performed at several places. Wellness Kliniek is among the top international clinics for arm lift. When comparing clinics, we advise you to at least pay attention to ISO 9001 quality assurance. That way, you know you are in safe hands and that you are dealing with experienced and expert plastic surgeons.

In addition, read reviews from real patients. Furthermore, it is of absolute importance that you can book a no-obligation consultation before making a commitment. During this consultation, an experienced doctor will advise you on what to expect in terms of surgery, recovery, physical and aesthetic benefits. Only then can you make an informed decision whether an arm lift suits you!