Arm Lift
Brachioplasty at Chicago’s Iteld Plastic Surgery
A brachioplasty, or upper arm lift, at the Chicago area’s Iteld Plastic Surgery reshapes the upper arm to address loose skin and stubborn fat. This is the wobbly tissue that can create those unwanted “bat wings” that hang down from the arm. Removing the excess skin caused by weight loss, natural aging, or heredity can tighten away the laxity that extends from the underarm area to the elbow.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Lawrence Iteld, MD, takes a whole-body approach to the surgeries he performs, so each procedure starts with a consultation that allows him to assess how one change—such as an arm lift—will impact contours and proportions all over the body.
Contact Us Today
Discover more about an arm lift from Chicago board-certified plastic surgeon Lawrence Iteld, MD. Send a message online or call 312.757.4505.
How an Arm Lift Works
An arm lift’s primary focus is to reduce excess sagging skin that droops, as well as tighten and smooth the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper arm. In many cases, the procedure will also involve Dr. Iteld reducing localized pockets of fat in the upper arm region.
To access the necessary tissues and excise the sagging skin, Dr. Iteld must make an incision. Generally, he locates these on the inside of the arm, where the resulting line will not be as obvious. After repositioning tissues, suctioning out fat cells as necessary, and removing the excess skin, he will suture the incision closed, creating a slimmer, sleeker arm.
Although good results are expected from this surgery, there is no guarantee. In some situations, liposculpture will be used in combination with the standard arm lift techniques to achieve the best results. Also, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, so another surgery may be necessary.
MeetLawrence Iteld, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf VERIFIED doctor
Lawrence Iteld, MD, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a highly regarded Chicago based plastic surgeon, receiving awards from Chicago Magazine’s Top Docs, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors®.
Meet Lawrence Iteld, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf VERIFIED doctor
Lawrence Iteld, MD, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a highly regarded Chicago based plastic surgeon, receiving awards from Chicago Magazine’s Top Docs, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors®.
Arm Lift FAQs
Removing fat cells and skin will cause some swelling and bruising to develop in the days following arm lift surgery. Both side effects should resolve on their own in a matter of weeks.
Note that the results of arm lift surgery will be long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement from surgery should be relatively permanent.
Virtually any procedure Dr. Iteld performs can be structured to prevent pain, and an arm lift is no exception. His technique allows patients to plan on healing and enjoying their results—not gritting their teeth and managing their post-surgery discomfort with opioids. He has developed and refined his narcotics-free approach to be a safe and successful option for anyone looking to enjoy new contours without worry of a difficult recovery. Any lift works with this strategy, including tummy tuck and butt augmentation.
Patients choose to get an upper arm lift for any number of reasons, but the most successful candidates have certain things in common. You are likely a good candidate for the procedure if you are an adult who has lost significant weight, but are left with excessive underarm skin, or if your skin laxity has come about due to aging. Patients should not be significantly overweight, and should be healthy and able to maintain a relatively stable weight. Committing to a healthy diet and lifestyle—including avoiding smoking—is key to the most ideal results possible.
Some patients considering an arm lift will be candidates for liposculpture only, while others will benefit from skin removal. Talk to Dr. Iteld in a personalized consultation to discover the best option for you!
Sagging skin on the arms may mean you’ve got sagging skin elsewhere, too. Just as an arm lift gives your arms a sleeker look, body and thigh lifts can be part of post-massive weight loss surgery, and a facelift can address laxity on your face for a more defined jawline.