Body · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Mayo Clinic–Trained
Arms you're proud to show
Arm lift surgery by Dr. Humberto Palladino. Firmer contours and smoother skin, from the armpit to the elbow.
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Is arm lift right for you?
When diet and exercise aren't enough
The upper arms are among the most stubborn areas of the body. When skin laxity and excess fat resist every effort, arm lift surgery offers a lasting solution, and the freedom to wear what you choose.
Skin laxity and excess fat come with age and with weight loss anywhere on the body, but the upper arms are particularly susceptible. For many patients, reducing and toning the arms through diet and exercise alone is difficult, and often not possible at all.
Hanging skin and sagging fat deposits leave many men and women self-conscious, to the point of keeping the arms covered year-round. Arm lift surgery can reduce the circumference of your upper arms and tighten the skin, improving their shape and your confidence with them.
Benefits of arm lift surgery
- Firmer, smoother arm contours
- Improved upper arm musculature definition
- More clothing options, sleeveless and fitted included
- Renewed confidence in your own skin
All surgery carries risks and every patient is different. Candidacy, realistic expectations, and your personalised plan are determined during your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Palladino.
Arm lift procedure
Precision tailored to your arms
This outpatient procedure is performed in an accredited surgical facility under the safety and comfort of anesthesia. Dr. Palladino tailors every aspect to the individual patient.
Incisions
Customised to each patient
Before surgery, Dr. Palladino makes several marks on your arms as surgical guidelines. The incisions traditionally run from the armpit to the elbow on the underside of the arm. The extent of these incisions varies depending on the amount of excess skin and fat present.
Surgical Technique
Sculpted for natural results
Once incisions are made, loose skin is trimmed away, excess pockets of fat are excised, and the incisions are closed. The arm that emerges is smoother and more toned, with a natural contour that complements your physique.
Liposuction
Often combined with an arm lift
Liposuction is commonly combined with arm lift surgery for patients with exercise and diet-resistant pockets of fat in the upper arm. Liposuction permanently removes excess fat cells to reduce the overall circumference of the arms.
Your care with Dr. Palladino
Preparing for your surgery
An arm lift requires both physical and emotional preparation. Dr. Palladino will walk you through every step during your personal consultation, answering your questions and setting clear expectations.
To avoid complications, patients must quit smoking for at least six weeks before and after surgery. You should also avoid eating or drinking anything for at least eight hours before your scheduled procedure.
Dr. Palladino recommends wearing a loose-fitting shirt that opens in the front to make it easier to dress afterward. When you arrive, you will be escorted to the pre-surgical suite where Dr. Palladino will prepare you, make markings on your arms, and answer any remaining questions.
You are required to have a companion present to drive you to and from the facility and stay close by during the procedure. This companion should remain with you for the first night of recovery to help with household chores, food preparation, dressing, and any other needs.
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Arm lift, in Dr. Palladino's own words
What to expect
Your arm lift recovery
The recovery period after arm lift surgery is generally short. With Dr. Palladino guiding it, most patients are back to their routines quickly.
Immediately after surgery
A compression garment will be wrapped around your arms to reduce swelling, promote circulation, and speed recovery. This garment should be worn around the clock initially. Some bruising and swelling are normal and will fade over the following days and weeks. Over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses, or prescribed oral medication can alleviate postoperative discomfort.
First week
Most patients can return to work after one week. Light activity is generally well tolerated, but you should follow Dr. Palladino's specific instructions and attend all follow-up visits so he can monitor your healing progress.
Six weeks and beyond
Patients should refrain from lifting anything heavy or exercising for at least six weeks. Scars will form where incisions were made between the armpit and elbow, and they fade with time. You can help minimise their appearance by keeping incisions out of the sun and using silicone strips or gel as directed.
Common questions
Arm lift, answered
Ideal candidates for arm lift surgery are in good overall health with realistic expectations of their results. Patients may consider arm lift surgery if they can relate to at least one of the following concerns: dissatisfaction with the appearance of the arms; loose, hanging skin on the upper arm; excess fatty deposits in the arm; or an inability to find properly fitting clothing due to the arms. Candidacy is determined during your personal consultation with Dr. Palladino.
The recovery period after arm lift surgery is generally short. Many patients experience bruising and swelling after the procedure that will fade over the following days and weeks. Over-the-counter pain medication, cold compresses, or prescribed oral medication can alleviate postoperative discomfort. A compression garment will likely be wrapped around your arms after surgery and should be worn around the clock initially to reduce swelling, promote circulation, and help speed up your recovery.
While arm lift recovery varies from patient to patient, most can return to work after one week. Patients should refrain from lifting anything heavy or exercising for at least six weeks.
Dr. Palladino tailors each arm lift surgery to meet your individual needs and goals. The techniques used, the amount of excess skin and fatty tissue, and factors such as anesthesia, facility, and surgeon's fees all contribute to the final cost of your procedure. On average, the cost of arm lift surgery varies between $3,500 and $6,000. Your personalised estimate will be provided after your one-on-one consultation.
Scars can develop after any surgery; however, most patients find that the results they achieve with arm lift surgery outweigh the risk of scarring. Scars may form where the incisions were made between the armpit and the elbow. Patients can help reduce the appearance of these scars by keeping the incisions out of the sun, avoiding any excess movement or tugging near the incisions, and using silicone strips or gel to protect the healing incisions. All scars fade with time.
While liposuction can be used in combination with arm lift surgery to improve your results, liposuction alone will not provide the same results as an arm lift. Liposuction only targets excess fat cells; it does not address skin laxity. Liposuction may be an appropriate standalone procedure if you have good skin elasticity but are troubled with pockets of fat in the upper arms. Otherwise, an arm lift is what addresses the loose skin.
Related procedures
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Have the arms you deserve.
Begin with a Free Evaluation. Dr. Palladino will look at your arms, hear your goals, and put a plan together around both.
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