Arm Lift in Bellevue, WA | Tseng Plastic Surgery

Arm Lift in Bellevue, WA Bellevueand Bellevue

What Is Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms, reshapes the underlying tissue, and tightens the remaining skin for a firmer, smoother contour. Arm lift surgery is a common choice for patients with sagging skin, hanging skin, or stretched tissue that has not improved with weight loss or exercise.

Brachioplasty is one of the more straightforward forms of body contouring because the concern is easy to identify. Patients come in with upper arms that feel out of proportion with the rest of the body, and the procedure corrects that by removing extra skin, refining the arm, and improving the line from the underarm down toward the elbow.

Brachioplasty At a Glance

Best for - Excess skin, loose skin, sagging skin, and extra skin along the upper arms
Treatment type - Cosmetic procedure / brachioplasty / arm lift surgery
Downtime - About 2-3 weeks of social downtime, with activity limits for a few weeks
Pain level - Mild to moderate for most patients
Treatment length - Usually 2–3 hours, depending on the arm lift procedure and any added contouring
When results appear - Early improvement appears once swelling starts to settle; refinement continues through the recovery period
How long do the results last - Long-lasting results are common when patients maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle
Cost/pricing - Pricing reflects the amount of skin removal, anesthesia, surgical complexity, and whether other procedures are added

What Aesthetic Issues Does Brachioplasty Address?

Brachioplasty treats loose, stretched tissue along the upper arms, especially when skin and fat have changed beyond what exercise can correct.

Excess skin and fat in the arms after weight loss
Loose, sagging skin on the upper arms
Hanging skin, “bat wings,” as often described by many patients
Extra skin that shifts the shape of the arm
Stubborn fat deposits that soften the contour
Skin looseness linked to age

What Areas Can Brachioplasty Treat?

Brachioplasty focuses on the upper arm, though the exact contour can extend farther depending on how much tissue needs to be removed.

Upper arms

This is the main treatment area. Brachioplasty removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms and tightens the remaining skin for a smoother, more sculpted shape.

Underarm to elbow contour

Some patients need correction beyond the upper third of the arm. When drooping skin extends farther down, the incision and skin removal pattern can be adjusted so the arm looks even from top to bottom.

Arm and side-body transition

The area near the underarm can shape the whole result. In patients with major skin changes after weight loss, the contour between the arm and the side of the body may be part of the surgical plan, especially when body lifts or other procedures are under discussion.

What Are The Benefits Of Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty improves an area that tends to resist even disciplined weight loss and exercise. Muscle can become stronger. Extra skin stays where it is.

Removes excess skin and fat from the upper arms
Improves arm shape and creates slimmer arm contours
Reduces hanging, drooping skin
Helps patients feel more comfortable in fitted clothing and short sleeves
Supports more defined arms and a smoother profile
Restores a cleaner, more youthful appearance to the arm
Can enhance results when liposuction alone would not be enough

Am I A Good Candidate For Brachioplasty?

A good candidate for brachioplasty has excess skin, loose skin, or excess skin and fat along the upper arms and is healthy enough for surgery. The best candidates are usually close to a stable weight and have a clear sense of their aesthetic goals.

You may be a good candidate if…

You have extra, sagging skin on the upper arms
You are bothered by hanging skin or “bat wings”
You are at a stable weight
You maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise
Your skin looseness has not improved with weight loss or exercise
You are in good general health
You want a cleaner arm contour and a realistic improvement

Brachioplasty may not be the right fit if…

Your weight is still changing
Your concern is mainly excess fat and not loose skin
You are not medically suited for surgery or general anesthesia
You are not prepared for visible scars during healing
You expect surgery to replace exercise
You are not ready for the recovery period and temporary restrictions

How Do You Prepare For Brachioplasty?

Preparation begins with a personalized consultation and a careful review of your medical history, medications, supplements, prior procedures, and aesthetic goals. Before surgery day, you may need lab work or medical clearance. Patients who smoke or use nicotine need to stop as directed to support healing. It also helps to arrange a ride home, set up a comfortable recovery space, and keep your schedule light for the first few weeks so your body has room to recover.

How Is Brachioplasty Performed?

Brachioplasty follows a clear sequence. Excess skin and fat are removed, the underlying tissue is shaped, and the remaining skin is tightened for a smoother arm contour. In patients with stubborn fat deposits, liposuction may be added to refine the result.

Planning and marking

Dr. Tseng evaluates the upper arms, the distribution of skin and fat, the amount of extra skin, and the incision pattern that will create the best contour.

Anesthesia and monitoring

Brachioplasty is commonly performed under general anesthesia, especially when more extensive skin removal is needed.

Incisions and skin removal

The incision length depends on how much skin needs to be removed. In many arm lift patients, the scar is placed along the inner or back part of the arm where it is less visible.

Reshaping the arm

Excess skin and fat are removed, the tissue is refined, and the remaining skin is redraped. When needed, liposuction helps contour the arm more precisely.

Closure and compression

The incisions are closed with care, dressings are applied, and a compression garment may be used to support healing and control swelling.

Incisions and scar placement

Brachioplasty leaves scars. That is built into the procedure because removing excess skin requires an incision. With proper care, those scars usually soften and fade significantly over time, though they do not disappear. Placement, skin quality, and healing habits all influence how they settle.

Recovery After Brachioplasty

Swelling, tightness, soreness, and limited arm movement are expected at first. Most patients are walking the same day, though the arms need time and a bit of patience. Recovery tends to go more smoothly when patients protect the incisions, wear the compression garment as directed, and give the arms a real break during the first few weeks.

Social downtime

Most patients want 2-3 weeks before they feel comfortable socially, especially if bruising or swelling is visible. Many surgery patients return to desk work after about 3 weeks, depending on how physical the job is.

Physical downtime

Light activities usually begin early, though lifting, strenuous exercise, and repetitive arm motion need to wait. The arms are involved in nearly everything, so restrictions can feel more noticeable than patients expect.

Recovery timeline

Days 1–3 - Swelling, soreness, dressings, and limited arm movement
Week 1 - Continued swelling, compression garment use, light activities only
Weeks 2–3 - Many patients feel more comfortable socially; incisions continue healing
Weeks 3–6 - Gradual return to more normal activities, depending on healing
After 6 weeks - More freedom with exercise and arm use if cleared

Provider aftercare tips

Keep the arms supported, avoid overreaching, and follow your recovery advice closely. Wear the compression garment exactly as instructed. Proper care during the first few weeks helps support healing, protects the incisions, and gives the arm the best chance to settle well.

When Will I See Results From Brachioplasty?

The change in arm shape is visible early, though swelling softens the contour at first. As the recovery period moves along and the skin settles, the arm looks cleaner and more refined.

First 1–2 weeks - The arm looks improved, though swelling still blurs the final contour
Weeks 3–6 - Slimmer arm contours become clearer
Months 2–3 - The arm looks more settled in motion and in clothing
Longer term - Scar quality improves, and the contour looks more polished

How Long Do Results Last?

Brachioplasty can deliver long-lasting results, especially when patients maintain a stable weight, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. The skin and body continue to age, though the extra skin removed during surgery does not return unless there are major weight fluctuations or major changes in the body.

Scars After Brachioplasty

Visible scars are part of brachioplasty, and they deserve a direct conversation. For many patients, the decision comes down to a simple trade: a scar in exchange for skin removal and a cleaner arm contour. With proper care, scars usually fade significantly, though they remain part of the outcome. Most patients feel the improvement in shape is worth that exchange.

Can Brachioplasty Be Combined With Other Treatments?

Yes. Many patients combine brachioplasty with other procedures, especially after significant weight loss or when multiple areas of the body have changed.

Brachioplasty + liposuction = Useful when the arm has both excess fat and loose skin.

Brachioplasty + breast lift = A common pairing when the upper body is being reshaped more comprehensively.

Brachioplasty + body lifts or other procedures = In selected patients, body contouring may include several procedures performed in stages or as part of one customized plan.

Why Choose Tseng Plastic Surgery For Brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty requires judgment. The procedure asks for careful incision planning, a strong sense of proportion, and a surgical technique that takes motion, clothing, and healing into account. Dr. Mark Tseng is a highly experienced plastic surgeon with training through NYU, Mount Sinai, and Temple University. Patients can meet with him at the Bellevue office for a personalized consultation and a customized plan built around their anatomy, medical history, and goals.

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Schedule your consultation with Dr. Mark Tseng, Bellevue’s trusted cosmetic plastic surgeon.

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Brachioplasty in Bellevue