Brachioplasty

About Brachioplasty

Brachioplasty is a body contouring procedure designed for sagging upper arms. It addresses loose skin, smooths underlying tissue, and removes surplus fat to create more toned and defined upper arms. Like other contouring procedures, it is not a weight loss surgery for severely or morbidly obese patients with a BMI above 35 to 40; weight loss through diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery should be pursued first. Once weight is stable, brachioplasty produces predictable arm tightening results.

Sagging skin in the upper arms often combines ageing, genetics, and major weight loss. Diet and exercise alone cannot reliably tighten skin that has lost its elastic recoil. If the arm is bulky with sagging skin, combining liposuction with skin excision gives a cleaner result. If the arm is bulky with surplus fat but no significant sag, liposuction alone may be enough. Dr. Agarwal will recommend the right approach during consultation.

Brachioplasty can be performed alone or alongside other procedures. At Kayakriti, Dr. Agarwal prioritises safety as well as the surgical experience. Where modest liposuction is needed in the abdomen, flanks, or thighs, it can be combined with the arm lift. Larger combinations are staged for safety, with brachioplasty performed once you have fully recovered from the previous surgery.

Suitable candidates are non-smokers (or willing to stop), at or near a stable weight, in good general health, and accepting of a scar along the inner arm. During consultation, Dr. Agarwal assesses skin tone, fat volume, and arm shape, then plans the incision pattern (limited or full-length) and the role of liposuction. He will discuss anaesthesia, downtime, expected outcome, and an itemised written estimate.

The procedure is performed under general or sedation anaesthesia and usually takes two to three hours. The incision is placed along the inner arm, and where possible kept short or extended only as far as necessary. Excess skin and fat are removed, deeper tissues are smoothed, and the wound is closed in layers. A compression sleeve is worn during recovery. Most patients resume desk work in two to three weeks and gym training around six weeks. Final results emerge over three to six months as scars mature.

What to expect

• Assessment of skin laxity, fat volume, and arm proportion
• Plan that may combine arm lift with liposuction
• Incision designed along the inner arm to minimise visibility
• General or sedation anaesthesia in a fully equipped theatre
• Compression sleeve fitted before discharge
• Day-care or single-night stay in most cases
• Photographs and an itemised written estimate

Recovery

• Gentle arm use from day one; desk work in 2 to 3 weeks
• Compression sleeve worn for 4 to 6 weeks
• Avoid gym, lifting, and overhead work for 6 weeks
• Bruising and swelling settle over 2 to 4 weeks
• Stitches mostly absorbable; scar care from week 2
• Scar fades from pink to thin, pale line over 6 to 12 months