An arm lift reshapes your upper arms by removing excess, stretched skin and stubborn fat that causes a “bat wing” appearance, even with exercise and healthy eating. Whether your concerns are from significant weight loss, aging, or genetics, this procedure significantly improves arm contour, resulting in sleeker, more balanced upper arms that suit your active life.
Dr. Beth Collins at the Collins Center brings extensive surgical skill to each arm lift, perfecting her technique with years of experience and advanced training in body contouring. She knows results are important to patients—but minimizing scarring, preserving arm function, and ensuring safe healing are also key. Her approach balances appearance with surgical precision and patient care throughout the entire process.
Before / After Gallery
An arm lift improves upper arm contours, creating firmer, smoother skin and restoring a youthful definition while reducing sagging. These changes offer noticeable improvements to your appearance, clothing choices, comfort during movement, and self-confidence. Dr. Collins customizes each surgery based on your excess tissue, arm anatomy, and lifestyle to achieve results that look natural to you.
Treatable Areas
- Upper inner arms from armpit to elbow
- Underarm region where tissue hangs
- Back of the upper arm (posterior surface)
- Localized fat deposits resistant to exercise
- Excess tissue extending toward the chest wall in severe cases
- Skin laxity following bariatric surgery
- Age-related skin loosening in the upper arms
How Arm Lift Works
An arm lift surgery reshapes your upper arms by carefully removing excess tissue and repositioning the remaining skin, creating a tighter, more toned look. Dr. Collins adapts her surgical approach depending on your tissue concerns. For mild sagging, she uses minimally invasive incisions hidden in the armpit. For more sagging, longer incisions along the inner or back of the arm are typically needed.
The 2 to 3 hour outpatient procedure starts with precise markings to replicate how your arms hang naturally, ensuring optimal tissue removal for balanced results. Under general anesthesia, she makes incisions following your arm’s natural curves, then removes planned sections of excess skin and fat. She often uses power-assisted liposuction to sculpt any remaining fat while preserving nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic channels that provide sensation and function, an approach studies show reduces complications compared to skin excision alone.
Internal sutures tighten the supporting tissue before the remaining skin is carefully redraped and closed using advanced techniques that minimize tension and promote flatter, less noticeable scarring. You’ll wear compression garments to reduce swelling and support healing as your tissues settle over several weeks.
Whether you need surgical precision, metabolic wellness, or non-surgical refinement, we look at the big picture. Let’s design a unified treatment plan that addresses your health and beauty under one roof.
Results You’ll Love
- Complete elimination of hanging upper arm skin
- Noticeably firmer, more toned arm appearance
- Smoother arm contours without the “bat wing” effect
- Greater confidence wearing short sleeves and sleeveless clothing
- Improved arm-to-body proportions and overall balance
- Enhanced physical comfort during movement and activities
- Better-fitting shirts and reduced fabric bunching
- Lasting results that endure with stable weight maintenance
Are You a Candidate for Arm Lift?
- You have visible loose, sagging skin hanging from your upper arms
- You’ve achieved significant weight loss and maintained stability for several months
- Diet and consistent exercise haven’t improved your arm contour
- The appearance of your arms makes you avoid certain clothing styles
- You’re in good overall health without conditions that impair healing
- You don’t smoke or will commit to quitting before and after surgery
- You accept that permanent scarring is necessary for improved contours
- You maintain realistic expectations about surgical possibilities
Why Choose The Collins Center
- Intensive body contouring fellowship training – Dr. Collins pursued years of specialized education beyond her plastic surgery residency, focusing specifically on post-weight loss body reshaping procedures
- Distinguished dual board certifications – Credentials from both the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Plastic Surgery reflect comprehensive surgical training through an elite academic institution
- Substantial practice experience over 25 years – Nearly two decades dedicated exclusively to plastic and reconstructive surgery has given Dr. Collins exceptional technical skill and aesthetic insight
- Evidence-based surgical philosophy – All treatment recommendations stem from peer-reviewed medical research and established best practices, ensuring predictable, safe outcomes
- Authentic patient empathy – Having personally navigated surgical procedures and body transformation as both a physician and patient, Dr. Collins brings genuine understanding to every consultation
FAQs about Arm Lift
How long does arm lift recovery take?
Most patients need 1 to 2 weeks off work to heal initially, though jobs requiring physical labor may take 3 weeks. During the first two weeks, you’ll have swelling, bruising, and limited movement, but you’ll feel much better by week three. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover and resume normal activities.
Where will my arm lift scars be?
Where the scars are located depends on how much tissue needs to be removed. Minor procedures may leave scars in the armpit crease, while more extensive procedures create scars along the inner or back of the upper arm, from the armpit toward the elbow. Dr. Collins places incisions discreetly, often toward the back of the arm where they are less noticeable. Scars start out red and fade to thin, pale lines over 12 to 24 months.
What complications can occur after arm lift surgery?
Most patients heal fine, but complications can occur. These include wound separation, fluid buildup, infection, nerve numbness or discomfort, excessive scarring, and, rarely, blood clots. Studies show complication rates for arm lift surgeries are between 25% and 40%, and most are mild and easily treated. Choosing an experienced, board-certified surgeon and following post-surgery instructions carefully can help lower the risk of complications.
Will I need drains after arm lift surgery?
Some surgeons use temporary drains to prevent fluid buildup during early healing. Drains usually stay in place for a few days to a week and are removed when drainage slows down. Not everyone needs a drain – your specific surgery and how much tissue is removed will determine if one is necessary.
When can I exercise after an arm lift procedure?
Start with light walking to improve circulation. Avoid raising your arms above your head and refrain from upper body workouts, heavy lifting, and strenuous activities for about 4 to 6 weeks. Doing too much too soon can reopen the incisions or cause problems. After Dr. Collins clears you around six weeks, you can slowly get back to your regular exercise routine.
Can I combine arm lift with other procedures?
Arm lifts are often combined with other body contouring surgeries, such as breast surgery, tummy tucks, or thigh lifts, to address changes in multiple areas during a single surgery. This can lead to a faster recovery and better overall results. However, combining procedures does increase risks, so Dr. Collins will carefully assess your health and goals to decide on the safest plan.
Are arm lift results permanent?
The tissue removed during an arm lift surgery is permanently gone. However, to maintain your improved arm shape long-term, you need to keep your weight stable with healthy habits. Weight changes, aging, and genetics can still affect how your arms look over time, but most patients continue to enjoy their reshaped arms for years to come.
Sleeveless Styles?
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Collins at The Collins Center today and discover how arm lift surgery can help you achieve the sculpted, toned arms that match your active lifestyle.
