Arm Lift.
About the procedure
What is brachioplasty?
Arm lift, or Brachioplasty is an operation to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms – the bingo wings. Significant weight changes, growing older and genetics can contribute to this condition. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to improve with exercise.
The surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic and uses dissolvable stitches. No drains are used. The aim is to improve the shape, contour and appearance of the upper arm, mainly by reducing loose skin or residual fat.
Who is Brachioplasty for?
Procedure Overview.
PROCEDURE TIME
3 hours.
HOSPITAL TIME
1 night.
WORK OFF TIME
2-3 weeks.
NO gym FOR
4 weeks.
NO DRIVING
1 week.
GARMENT
4 weeks.
FOLLOW UP
2,4,6 weeks.
The Consultation.
The initial consultation will discuss your concerns and expectations. This will be followed by a full medical history, clinical examination and photos. We will then discuss your options and if surgery is appropriate, you will be shown a presentation of the procedure including before and after photos. You will then be provided with a comprehensive letter and additional information not help you make a decision. If you decide to proceed, you will be offered a second consultation free of charge to answers any further questions and prepare you adequately for surgery.
The Planning.
The surgery is based on the amount of skin and excess fat you have. If you have significant fat then you will have liposuction at the same to give the best result. We must leave enough skin to allow you to use your arms freely so there is an art to getting this surgery right.
This is a good opportunity for a friend to come for support. We advise no holiday abroad within two months of surgery.
The Procedure.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. All stitches are dissolvable and you will have no dressings so you can shower daily. Most patients welcome an overnight stay in the hospital and a consultant review prior to home the following day.
The Aftercare.
You will be provided with a garment to wear continuously for 4 weeks and a specialised antiseptic body wash to use daily when showering. You will be seen regularly by the team to ensure you are healing and avoiding any stiffness.
Patient reviews
Patient Reviews
5.0
from 88 verified reviews
iWantGreatCare Certificate of Excellence 2025
Ready to take the next step?
Join hundreds of patients who’ve trusted Mr Holmes with their care. Consultations in York and Leeds.
Patient Reviews
I had a Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty in February 2020. Mr Holmes was amazing from the first consultation to my last check up. I couldn’t recommend him more. I felt at ease the whole time, considering it been a sizeable operation. He explained everything so thoroughly, so much so that I wasn’t left with any questions myself before the procedure. The result of my operation was and still is outstanding. The aftercare was fantastic, I had regular check ups to make sure I was healing okay. If I was ever to have any more cosmetic surgery, I would always seek Mr Holmes to carry it out. Thankyou again for everything.
My approach
Procedure risks.
Immediate Risks.
- Bleeding – usually manifests as bruising.
- Infection – rare but can be treated with antibiotics.
- Scar asymmetry – this is common as there is often a difference in fat on each arm.
- Seroma – or fluid build up can occur and may require drainage using a needle and syringe.
- Lumpy scars – this can be treated with creams and massage.
- Hyper/hypopigmentation of scars – this can occur and often depends on your genetics. Treatment for this is difficult.
Early Risks.
- Poor scarring – these scars have a tendency to stretch and change in colour compared to other scars on the body.
- Scar tightness – this can cause difficulty raising arms above the head. This can be treated with physiotherapy exercises.
Late Risks.
- Recurrence due to weight changes, lifestyle modification and ageing.
- Over correction or under-correction resulting in asymmetry.
- Nerve damage – this can cause numbness of the arm and forearm. It usually improves over time but can rarely be permanent.
Interested in a consultation?
If you are interested to learn more, and would like to come for a face-to-face or virtual chat, please send me and my team a message, and we can get in touch to arrange your consultation.
