Arm Lift in Charlotte

Are you worried about your bat wings or granny flaps? The hanging extra tissue and skin on your upper arms when you hold them up can be unwanted for many people, both men and women. It can be due to genetics (you inherited them), or they can come with significant weight loss. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of this excess tissue with diet and exercise alone.

While you might not think of having plastic surgery to improve the look of your upper arms, most patients who have an arm lift in Charlotte are quite satisfied with the results. So, if you are unhappy with the look of your upper arms, consider scheduling a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Ditesheim, to learn more about this body sculpting procedure and whether it is right for you.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure to reduce excess, sagging skin and tissues on your upper arms. You will find that this procedure will tighten and smooth the underlying tissues, remove any stubborn fat pockets, and remove excess skin. This is the type of surgery you turn to when liposuction will not be enough because of excess skin or poor skin elasticity.

What Does Arm Lift Surgery Involve?

There are three main types of arm lift surgeries we offer our patients in Charlotte. Your arm lift surgery will be personalized to your needs and wishes.

Mini Arm Lift

If you have a small amount of excess tissue and fat with good skin elasticity, you may only need or want a mini arm lift. The small incision is hidden in your armpit.

Traditional Arm Lift

The traditional arm lift involves an incision that runs most of the length of your upper arm. Through this incision—whether on the front or back of your arm—excess fat and tissue can be removed, and extra skin can be trimmed.

Extended Arm Lift

The third version of an arm lift is usually saved for people who have lost significant weight and need extra help to make their entire arm look better. Extra tissue and skin on the proximal part of your forearm can be addressed as well as extra skin and tissue on the side of your chest wall right beneath your armpit. The incision for this arm lift is the longest.

Anesthesia for an arm lift can vary by what needs to be done and your preferences. Local anesthetics with intravenous sedation can work for many people while others will prefer general anesthesia. No matter which anesthesia you have, you will need someone to drive you home since what you can do with your arms immediately after surgery will be limited. You do not want to damage the work that has been done. Heavy lifting and intense use of your arms will need to wait up to six weeks to allow for healing.

When Will You See the Results?

While you will see instant results, you will not see the final results immediately. Even though you will wear compression garments on your upper arms, swelling will obscure some of the improvements and may take up to six months to resolve completely. Visible scars will continue to change as healing takes place. At times, they could look worse or feel like a cord in your skin, but after 12 months, your scars will have completed healing and should be pencil-line thin.

The results of our Charlotte arm lift surgery are meant to be long-lasting, as long as you maintain a stable weight.

Achieve a New Level of Confidence With a Charlotte Arm Lift

If your self-confidence has decreased due to the appearance of bat wings, you should seriously consider the benefits of arm lift surgery. After undergoing an arm lift in Charlotte, you will notice a fantastic improvement in your arms and your self-confidence. Set up a consultation with Dr. Ditesheim to learn more about the procedure and discuss the next steps.