Woman sunbathing with bikini bra

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) in London

What is Brachioplasty (Arm Lift Surgery)?


An arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the area between the underarm and the elbow, commonly referred to as ‘bingo wings’. 

Bingo wings can be caused by ageing, rapid weight loss, or genetic disposition, and an arm lift, or arm reduction surgery works to restore contoured and toned arms by getting rid of these bingo wings and reshaping the remaining tissue.

Dr. Omar Tillo specialises in a range of body plastic procedures, including arm lifts. Having performed the surgery many times using different surgical techniques, he has the skills and expertise to produce results that look natural and proportionate to the patient’s body.

To book a consultation with Dr. Tillo, contact the CREO Clinic today.

Quick Overview of Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) Procedure

Treatments

1

Results

Immediately

Anesthesia

General Anaesthesia

Surgery time

2-3 Hours

Hospital time

6 Hours

Mobility

Immediately

Washing

2 Days

Off-Work

10 Days

Exercise

4 Weeks

Full recovery

4 Weeks

Arm Lift Before and After Images

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) In London
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) In London

Benefits of Brachioplasty

There are several key benefits an arm lift can provide:

  • Slimmer, more proportionate arms
  • Opens up wider variety of clothing options
  • More visible gains from gym
  • More toned and contoured biceps and triceps
  • Smoother, firmer skin on arms

Why Patients Have Arm Lift Surgery

Due to the natural ageing process or significant weight loss, patients may develop excess loose skin and fat in the upper arms that they wish to get rid of to achieve their ideal figure. In this case, an arm lift is the best cosmetic solution for contouring the upper arms as it removes the flabbiness in the area, reshapes the remaining tissue, and tightens the remaining skin.

It’s common to feel self-conscious about bingo wings and struggle to shed the excess fat with diet and exercise alone.  Arm lift surgery can provide patients with more confidence, as well as the other benefits mentioned above.

Who is a Suitable Candidate for Brachioplasty?

Find out if you
are eligible for
Brachioplasty
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) In London

    Payment Options Available.

    Terms and Conditions apply.
    Acceptance subject to credit status.

    In general, most people who wish to deal with skin laxity, excess fat, or cellulite in their upper arms are good candidates for the arm lift procedure. Arm lift patients should also:

    • Be in good physical and mental health
    • Have realistic expectations of what an arm lift can achieve
    • Be interested in long-term enhancements to their arms
    • Be at, or close to, their ideal weight 
    • Have a BMI of 30 or below (use our BMI calculator to check your current BMI)

    It is important to note that Dr. Tillo will thoroughly assess your suitability for a brachioplasty during your initial consultation to ensure it is right for you.

    How Much Does Brachioplasty Cost in London?

    In general, the price of an arm lift surgery at the CREO Clinic starts from £11,900, with an extended arm lift priced from £13,900.

    As with all treatments at the CREO Clinic, an arm lift is an individualised procedure, meaning the cost will vary depending on your surgical needs. As such, you will receive the full cost breakdown of your surgery following your consultation with Dr. Tillo. 

    If you would prefer to spread the cost of your arm lift over multiple instalments, our financing partner, Chrysalis Finance, can provide loans at 0% APR over 12 months. There are longer instalments available at varying rates.

    Find out if you are eligible for Brachioplasty Request a callback
    Payment Options Available.
    Terms and Conditions apply. Acceptance subject to credit status.
    Request a callback

    See What Our Patients Have to Say

    Read real reviews from our patients in London to help you decide if having brachioplasty (arm lift surgery) at CREO Clinic is the right decision.

    How Arm Lift Surgery Works

    Arm lift surgery combines targeted liposuction and the excision of excess fat and skin to firm up the arms. Liposuction can target multiple fatty deposits around the upper arms, armpits and forearms, whereas the excision of skin creates greater contour in the upper arms and helps reduce the appearance of bingo wings.

    The incision is made ¾ of the way down the inner arm, running up into your armpit. It is situated here to be as effective and as subtle as possible once healed. An elliptical section of skin is removed and the resulting gap is closed with dissolvable sutures to firm up the skin of the upper arm. 

    Why Choose CREO Clinic

    The CREO Clinic offers only the highest levels of clinical care, and has a proven track record of providing arm lifts to patients with a variety of needs and aesthetic goals. This is due to the clinic’s emphasis on patient care, its state of the art facilities and the skill and experience of its medical director, Dr. Omar Tillo.

    Dr. Tillo has performed countless body contouring procedures throughout his career with excellent results, as is demonstrated by his consistently positive patient reviews. He prioritises patient safety while also achieving dramatic aesthetic enhancements to help you realise your body goals.

    What to Expect

    Consultation

    The initial arm lift consultation will give you an opportunity to discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Tillo. For him to make an assessment of the best treatment options for you, he will ask questions to provide him with a full clinical picture.

    This is also a good moment to put forward any of your own queries — Dr. Tillo will always take the time to provide you with clear, comprehensive answers. 

    During your initial consultation, Dr. Tillo will give you a comprehensive run down of the risks and potential complications of the procedure and what your recovery period will entail.

    He will also make an assessment of your suitability for the procedure after a thorough review of your medical history.

    Preparing for Surgery

    There are some key pieces of advice to follow during your preparation for your arm lift:

    • Smoking – Nicotine can increase the likelihood of complications over the course of your procedure and recovery, so try to quit smoking/vaping/wearing nicotine patches from four weeks before your arm lift.
    • BMI – To minimise the possibility of any complications, keep your BMI at 30 or below in the lead up to your surgery.
    • Alcohol – Alcohol can negatively impact the time it takes for your incisions to heal, so try to reduce alcohol consumption in the run-up to the surgery.
    • Prepare your home – A comfortable home to return to after surgery will be vital for your recovery, so make sure you have everything you need. Also delegate home responsibilities such as child or pet care to others until you have sufficiently recovered.
    • Oestrogen contraceptive/HRT – You will need to stop taking oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement treatment (HRT) starting from four weeks before your surgery. Be sure to use other forms of contraception during this time.

    The Brachioplasty Procedure

    After administering general anaesthetic, the surgeon makes an incision in the underarm or the upper arm. The length and placement of the incisions depend on the extent of excess sagging skin in the upper arm. Typically, patients with moderate to severe skin laxity may require an incision that extends from the underarm to the elbow. 

    After making the incision, the surgeon will remove excess skin and fat from the area. Depending on the amount of fat deposit in the area, the surgeon may use a liposuction procedure to achieve the best results. Afterwards, the surgeon reshapes the remaining tissue and tightens the skin by stitching close the incisions. 

    In total, the surgical procedure generally takes between 2-3 hours.

    Recovery & Aftercare

    The recovery period for a brachioplasty varies from patient to patient and the nature of the arm lift procedure. You will receive detailed aftercare instructions for managing your recovery and we will schedule follow-up visits to assess the healing process.

    Immediately after the surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and soreness in the affected area that will significantly reduce in a few days. In general, most patients can go back to work and resume most daily activities in 1-2 weeks. However, you should avoid strenuous exercise for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery.

    Results Timeline

    Following the surgery, you will notice immediate results as your upper arms will appear more contoured, and the skin will feel smoother without the excess skin. However, the final results will become fully visible once the post-surgical swelling and bruising completely subsides, which may take up to 6 months. Furthermore, you will have a scar at the site of the incision, which is subtly positioned to reduce visibility, and usually fades over time. 

    Possible Risks or Complications

    Opting for treatment at the CREO Clinic minimises the risk of complications as you are choosing a clinic that always prioritises your safety. Nevertheless, all surgeries have their risks, however unlikely they may be. Here are some of the potential risks of an arm lift:

    • Excessive bleeding
    • Infection
    • Hypertrophic scarring
    • Accumulation of fluid under skin (seroma)
    • Accumulation of blood under skin (hematoma)
    • Fat necrosis

    Bear in mind that Dr. Tillo carefully monitors your progress after the surgery and will be at hand to help to resolve any issues that may crop up during recovery.

    Brachioplasty FAQs

    How long will arm lift surgery take?

    Arm lift procedures usually take between one and two hours. It is a day case, so you should be able to return home the day of the surgery.

    Will I have a visible scar after brachioplasty?

    Brachioplasty does create a thin scar along the line between the back and inside of your arm, but this is well situated to be as subtle as possible and fades over time. The CREO Clinic routinely works to decrease scar visibility through incision care post surgery and also through our laser scar treatment. This treatment uses both non-ablative (Nd:YAG) and fractional-ablative (Er:YAG) lasers to help decrease the visibility of all different kinds of arm lift scars.

    What areas does an arm lift treat?

    An arm lift treats the upper arm, but can be a more holistic treatment when combined with liposuction. Liposuction can target pockets of fat in the forearms, back of your elbows, and armpits to create greater overall enhancement of the arms.

    What surgical options are available for an arm lift procedure?

    Brachioplasty can be performed using three main techniques that differ in the degree of excess skin and fat they reduce. They also differ in terms of the nature and timeframe of their recoveries. The incisions that can be used are:<br>- Mini Arm Lift – A crescent-shaped incision under the armpit that can be extended into a T-shaped line, moving down into the arm. As the name suggests, this technique is best for patients experiencing less severe issues with excess skin and fat. The incision will be more subtle than the more extensive arm lifts.<br>- Full Arm Lift – A technique designed to treat a moderate degree of excess skin and fat, a standard arm lift requires an incision from your armpit down to your elbow. Excess skin and fat are removed and once the incisions are sutured closed, the skin of the upper arm is firmed up and smoother.<br>- Extended Arm Lift – This is the most extensive treatment used only for severe lax skin on the arms. It requires an incision from the elbow to the armpit which continues into the side of your chest. Fat and excess tissue is then removed and the upper arm is tightened and smoothed out. This technique results in the most substantial scarring.

    How soon will I see the results from an arm lift?

    You will see an immediate reduction of skin and fat after your arm lift as the excess skin is permanently excised, but the bruising may take six weeks or more to fully subside, after which the enhancements will become clearer. The final results of your arm lift may take six months to be visible — this is because the inflammation at the site first needs to subside.

    Are the results of brachioplasty permanent?

    The results from a brachioplasty are long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid fluctuations in your weight. Furthermore, since the natural ageing process causes a loss of skin elasticity, the results of your surgery will diminish as you age.

    What is a mini arm lift?

    A mini arm lift is the least invasive form of Brachioplasty. It involves a crescent-shaped incision in the underarm, which allows the surgeon to remove a small amount of excess skin in the upper arm. The surgery leaves behind a scar that’s discreetly hidden in the crease of the armpit. However, a mini arm lift is most effective for mild skin laxity around the underarm.

    Does an arm lift remove fat?

    Cosmetic surgeons primarily perform arm lifts to remove excess skin, but the cosmetic procedure also removes a small amount of fat. If you have a significant amount of excess fat in the upper arm, your surgeon may recommend combining an arm lift with liposuction to achieve a more contoured outcome.

    Is brachioplasty worth it?

    The upper arms are a prominent feature of the body that are exposed when wearing certain clothes, and many people want toned arms that they feel confident displaying. Therefore, many patients with saggy skin in their upper arms consider Brachioplasty a worthwhile cosmetic procedure and are happy with the outcome as it contours their arms and restores their confidence.

    Are there non-surgical alternatives to brachioplasty?

    Liposuction and 360 Lipo can work to reduce pockets of fat that create excess fat and bingo wings. BodyTite can treat both excess and work to tighten lax skin.<br><br>However, an arm lift is the most effective long-term treatment for excess skin on the arms, particularly when combined with liposuction.

    Complementary Procedures

    Combining other cosmetic procedures with a Brachioplasty produces a more dramatic transformation. Furthermore, doing so is more cost-effective and convenient because you can merge the recovery time for all treatments.

    Liposuction and Brachioplasty

    Liposuction, also known as suction-assisted lipectomy, is a surgery that removes excess fat from targeted areas of the body. In many cases, surgeons combine liposuction with a Brachioplasty to achieve optimal results by further sculpting and contouring the area. This surgical combination is ideal for patients with a significant amount of excess fat in the area.

    Tummy Tuck and Brachioplasty

    A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat in the abdomen while tightening the muscles in the area. Many patients who want an arm lift also have excess skin in the stomach and weakened abdominal muscles due to drastic weight loss, pregnancy, or the natural ageing process. In this case, it’s common to combine an arm lift with a tummy tuck for a more contoured body.

    Schedule a Consultation

    To experience the transformative aesthetic enhancements of an arm lift, book a consultation with Dr. Omar Tillo, the CREO Clinic’s medical director and double board-certified cosmetic surgeon.

    Dr. Tillo will listen to your aesthetic needs and formulate a bespoke treatment plan designed specifically to achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes. You can feel secure in the knowledge that Dr. Tillo is an experienced practitioner with the skill and expertise to provide a safe and transformative arm lift with permanent results.

    Find out if you are eligible for Arm Lift

      Payment Options Available.

      Terms and Conditions apply.
      Acceptance subject to credit status.

      Call Now Button