Brachioplasty in London

Brachioplasty, or an arm lift, is a surgical procedure to contour the upper arms by removing excess skin and fat in the upper arms. The procedure is commonly done to remove “bingo wings” caused by skin laxity.

Understanding Brachioplasty

It’s important to understand what brachioplasty is, and whether it’s right for you. 

What Brachioplasty Treats

Brachioplasty can treat skin laxity by excising the excess skin. It is a more invasive procedure than skin tightening treatments such as BodyTite, meaning that it is able to treat a more significant amount of excess skin. 

“Bingo Wings” Explained Clinically

“Bingo wings’ is a term frequently used to describe the skin laxity in the upper arm area. The most common causes of excess skin in this part of the body include weight loss, pregnancy and ageing. 

Skin Laxity vs Fat Accumulation

Brachioplasty involves the excision of excess skin from the upper arm, whereas liposuction is only able to remove fat cells in the area. The two procedures are often combined for more extensive contouring through the removal of both skin laxity and fat deposits.

Why Patients Consider Arm Lift Surgery

There are several reasons why patients consider arm lift surgery:

After Significant Weight Loss

After losing weight, excess skin in the upper arm may remain. Although small amounts of weight loss may only require skin tightening treatments or a mini arm lift, more significant weight loss may require a full arm lift. 

Post-Pregnancy Changes

Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, many patients find that they develop skin laxity in the upper arms once they lose the weight. These fluctuations in weight can make an arm lift a good option for treating the resultant skin laxity.

Age-Related Skin Laxity

As we age, the skin thins and produces less collagen, which is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity. Both of these factors can therefore create skin laxity that can be treated with an arm lift.

Functional Discomfort & Irritation

Significant arm laxity can produce functional issues such as chafing, heaviness and difficulty cleaning the area. Patients may therefore choose to undergo an arm lift to rectify these problems. 

How Brachioplasty Surgery Works

Excisional Skin Removal

Brachioplasty primarily involves the removal of excess skin between the underarm and elbow. A standard arm lift requires an incision in the underarm or upper arm. The length and placement will depend on the amount of skin laxity. For more extensive laxity, an incision may extend from the underarm down to the elbow.

Liposuction Integration

Liposuction is sometimes combined with brachioplasty to improve overall arm contour where excess fat deposits are present alongside skin laxity. In these cases, fat removal can help refine the final shape of the arm once redundant skin has been addressed.

However, liposuction alone does not correct excess skin. In patients with significant laxity, removing fat without addressing the underlying skin redundancy can leave the arm looking more deflated. During consultation, Dr Omar Tillo assesses both tissue quality and fat distribution to determine whether liposuction should form part of the surgical plan.

Scar Placement & Planning

Brachioplasty involves permanent scarring as part of the skin removal process. Incisions are typically positioned along the inner arm so they are less noticeable when the arms are at rest. However, they remain visible when the arms are raised or during certain movements.

The length of the scar reflects the degree of excess skin being corrected. Patients with more significant laxity require longer incisions in order to achieve meaningful contour improvement. This relationship between skin removal and scar length is discussed carefully during consultation so that you understand the trade-offs involved.

As part of our aftercare package, we also offer scar treatments to help you manage scarring post-procedure.

Anaesthetic & Operating Environment

Brachioplasty is performed under general anaesthetic at a CQC-registered facility. This ensures that all the necessary safety standards are in place for your peace of mind. 

Is Brachioplasty Right for You?

The points below provide a general guide to when brachioplasty may be appropriate. However, suitability is determined during consultation, where your surgeon will assess skin quality, tissue distribution, and overall health to determine whether an arm lift is the right option for you.

Suitable Candidates

In general, a good candidate for an arm lift:

• Able  to maintain a stable weight before and after surgery
• In good general physical and mental health, typically with a BMI below 30.
• Has realistic expectations about what an arm lift can achieve.

When It May Not Be Appropriate

You may not be a good candidate if:

• You smoke or use nicotine products and are unable to stop before surgery
• You struggle to maintain a stable weight
• You have unrealistic expectations about an arm lift procedure

The Importance of Weight Stability

Weight stability is important both before and after surgery. As you prepare for your procedure, our surgeons recommend maintaining

 a BMI of 30 or below before an arm lift to reduce the risk of complications during surgery. After surgery, weight fluctuations can cause skin laxity to reappear, affecting your results.

Types of Brachioplasty

	Mini Arm Lift	Standard Arm Lift	Extended Arm Lift
Ideal Candidate	Minimal skin laxity	Mild to moderate skin laxity	Severe skin laxity
Incision	Underarm only	Elbow to underarm	Elbow to underarm and into chest wall
Scarring	Minimal	Moderate	Prominent

At CREO, we offer several types of arm lifts:

Mini Arm Lift

A mini arm lift is ideal for patients with limited upper arm laxity. It requires a smaller incision in the armpit only, which means the scarring is less noticeable. However, as a result, it is not suitable for patients with more extensive laxity. 

Full Arm Lift

A full arm lift is a good option for patients with more extensive skin laxity. It requires a longer incision from the elbow along the inner arm to the armpit and can produce more comprehensive reshaping.

Extended Arm Lift

An extended arm lift requires an incision from the elbow to the armpit, which extends slightly vertically into the side of the chest wall. This procedure is ideal for patients with more extensive skin laxity. 

When Liposuction Alone May Be Sufficient

Liposuction as a sole procedure is only suitable for patients with fat deposits in the arms where there is no skin laxity. 

Before & After Results

Benefits of Brachioplasty

An arm lift can have several benefits:

• Removes sagging skin, contouring the upper arms
• Tightens the remaining skin to improve elasticity
• Reduces functional issues caused by excess skin
• Creates a more proportionate upper body 

The CREO APEX Recovery System

At CREO, we have developed the APEX Recovery system to optimise the healing process. Developed over 15 years of practice, the APEX protocol is designed to maximise your comfort and expedite your recovery.

Pre-Operative Preparation

Before surgery, you will have several consultations with our surgeon to assess your body and ensure that you are suitable for surgery. You will also be provided with a CREO recovery kit that includes products designed to prepare your body for surgery. 

In addition, we offer a consultation with our functional medicine specialist who can provide in-depth blood and DNA tests to create a personalised recovery and supplement plan. 

Intra-Operative Pain Management

We use a morphine-free approach during surgery to avoid common side effects such as drowsiness, nausea and constipation. This means that you will be more comfortable when you wake up in the recovery room. 

We also use advanced suture techniques and materials to minimise scarring. 

Structured Post-Operative Care

After surgery, you will be scheduled for a series of follow ups at the one week, one month and six month marks to monitor your healing and assess your results. 

Additionally, we offer all of our patients an aftercare package that may include lymphatic drainage massage and/or scar management treatments.

What to Expect: Before, During & After

We take care to ensure a smooth surgical process, from before you enter the operating room through to your recovery and final results. 

Preparing for Surgery

In the lead up to surgery, you will need to take several steps to 

• Stop Smoking – Stop any nicotine products (including vaping, patches, etc) four weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of complications.
• BMI – Maintain a stable weight and a BMI under 30 to keep the risk of complications to a minimum. 
• Alcohol – Reduce your alcohol consumption prior to your surgery, as this can delay your healing.
• Prepare your home for recovery – Prepare your home to be as comfortable as possible for your return, and ensure you have support in place for responsibilities such as looking after children and pets.

The Day of Surgery

You will be given an arrival time for the hospital on the day of surgery. Brachioplasty surgery is a day surgery and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete, after which you will spend time in a room while you wake up, which typically takes 20-30 minutes. 

Due to the anaesthetics we use as part of our APEX protocol, you should be ready to be discharged after 60-90 minutes. You will also regain mobility in this time, meaning you should be able to walk out of the hospital. 

Early Recovery

After surgery, you can expect side effects such as swelling, soreness and bruising in the treatment area. You will be provided with compression garments to wear for the first 4 weeks after surgery, which will help to manage the swelling. You may also undergo lymphatic drainage massages to reduce fluid build-up. 

You should be cleared to return to work and light activity after 1-2 weeks. 

Scar Maturation & Final Results

Most patients return to normal daily activity within 3–4 weeks, although swelling and tightness can persist for several months. Early improvements in arm contour are visible once swelling begins to settle, but final results continue to refine over time.

Scar maturation typically progresses over 6–12 months. While scars soften and fade gradually, they remain permanent, and their final appearance varies between individuals. Where appropriate, scar management strategies may be discussed as part of your aftercare plan.

Risks, Limitations & Considerations

As with any surgical procedure, brachioplasty carries potential risks and limitations. Healing timelines, scar appearance, and final results vary between individuals.

Potential complications can include asymmetry, delayed wound healing, infection, fluid collection (seroma), or changes in skin sensation. These risks are discussed in more detail during consultation so that you can make a fully informed decision about treatment.

Brachioplasty Cost in the UK

At CREO Clinic, prices for an arm lift start from £11,900 for a standard arm lift, and £9,500 for a mini arm lift. 

What Influences Arm Lift Cost

The price of your surgery can vary depending on a range of factors, including the complexity of your procedure, the length of surgery, and whether you combine brachioplasty with other procedures such as liposuction. 

What Is Included at CREO Clinic

As part of the quoted price, you can expect:

• Unlimited consultations before surgery
• Our exclusive APEX protocol
• Your surgeon’s and nurses’ fees
• Administered anaesthetics
• Use of CQC-registered surgical facilities
• Compression garments and consumables
• A personalised aftercare package

Finance Options

We also offer financing to spread the cost of treatment with Chrysalis Finance, including interest-free financing for up to 12 months. Other interest-bearing plans are also available. 

Why Choose CREO Clinic

There are several reasons to choose CREO for your brachioplasty surgery:

Specialist Anatomical Surgeons

Our plastic surgeons are specialists in their field. Dr Tillo, as a senior body contouring surgeon, exclusively performs procedures from the neck down. 

Surgeon-Led Planning

During your consultation, Dr Tillo will carefully work with you to design a surgical plan for your procedure, tailored to your specific needs. 

Integrated Aftercare

After surgery, we provide all-inclusive aftercare to help you feel comfortable and heal more quickly. 

Regulated & Accredited Standards

Our consultation clinics and the hospitals where we perform surgery are all CQC-registered, giving you the peace of mind that we adhere to the highest compliance and governance standards for your safety. 

FAQs: Brachioplasty