Mini Arm Lift
A mini arm lift is best for limited loose skin near the armpit.
It uses a shorter incision hidden in the armpit area and suits people with mild laxity concentrated at the top of the arm. The shorter scar is its main advantage.
Body
Arm LiftDenver, CO
Remove loose, hanging upper-arm skin that diet and exercise cannot fix.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
If the skin on your upper arms hangs loose no matter how much you work out, an arm lift is the procedure that removes it. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes excess, sagging skin from the upper arm and tightens what remains for a firmer, more toned contour. The loose skin many people call "bat wings" usually appears after significant weight loss or with age, when the skin has stretched past the point where it can shrink back on its own. Exercise tones the muscle underneath, but it cannot tighten skin that has lost its elasticity, which is why surgery is the answer when the skin itself is the problem.
At his Denver practice, Dr. Jason Martin performs arm lifts for patients bothered by loose upper-arm skin, with careful attention to where the scar falls. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, he is candid about the scar trade-off so you can make an informed choice.
At a Glance
Arm Lift at a Glance
These are typical starting points. Dr. Martin confirms the specifics for your case at your consultation.
- Procedure time
- About 1.5 to 3 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Downtime
- Desk work in about 1 to 2 weeks
- When you'll see results
- Right away; final at 3 to 6 months
- Results last
- Long-lasting with a stable weight
- Scars
- Along the inner arm, as hidden as possible
- Cost
- $7,000 – $11,000
Depending on the extent and whether liposuction is combined.
Arm elevation limited for 2 to 4 weeks.
They fade over about a year.
Mini at the low end; traditional with liposuction at the upper end.
What it addresses
What an Arm Lift Addresses
An arm lift treats a specific problem: loose, excess skin on the upper arm that no longer has the elasticity to bounce back. This usually develops in one of two ways.
After significant weight loss, the skin that once stretched to cover larger arms is left behind with nowhere to go, hanging loosely from the upper arm. With age, the skin gradually loses the collagen and elasticity that kept it firm, and the upper arm softens and sags. In both cases the issue is the skin itself, which is why removing and tightening it is the only thing that truly corrects it.
If your concern is mostly stubborn fat with firm, elastic skin, liposuction alone may give you the result you want without the scar of an arm lift. The consultation is where Dr. Martin sorts out which one your arms call for.
Your options
Your Arm Lift Options
The right approach depends on how much loose skin you have and where it sits along the arm.
Traditional Arm Lift
A traditional brachioplasty is best for significant loose skin along the full length of the upper arm.
It removes excess skin from the armpit to the elbow, which requires a longer incision along the inner arm in exchange for a complete correction. This is the right choice for most patients after major weight loss.
Arm Lift, Liposuction, or AccuTite?
The best option depends on whether the issue is fat, skin, or mild laxity.
When the issue is fat rather than skin, liposuction reshapes the arm without a long scar. When skin laxity is mild, AccuTite can tighten the skin with radiofrequency energy through a tiny entry point, with far less downtime than surgery. When there is significant loose skin, an arm lift is the only option that removes it. Dr. Martin will tell you honestly which one fits your arms.
Candidacy
Are You a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for an arm lift if you have significant loose, hanging skin on your upper arms, you are at or near a stable weight, and you understand the scar trade-off that comes with removing the skin. The best candidates have stretched skin that will not respond to exercise or liposuction alone.
You are likely a good candidate if you:
- Have significant loose, hanging skin on your upper arms
- Are at or near a stable weight
- Understand the scar trade-off that comes with removing the skin
- Have stretched skin that will not respond to exercise or liposuction alone
An arm lift asks for an honest conversation about scars, and we have it upfront. Removing the loose skin requires an incision along the inner arm, and while Dr. Martin places it as discreetly as possible and it fades over time, it does not disappear. For most patients who have lived with hanging skin, a fine inner-arm scar is a fair trade for arms they are comfortable showing again. If the scar is a concern and your laxity is mild, AccuTite may be the better path, and Dr. Martin will say so.
Experience & judgment
Dr. Martin's Approach
Dr. Martin places the arm-lift incision along the inner arm, where it is least visible, and plans the amount of skin to remove so the arm looks natural and proportionate. He has written about arm-lift scars and what to expect from them, because managing that expectation honestly is part of a good result.
What he brings to that work
- Jason Martin, MD, FACS, board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Fellowship-trained in aesthetic plastic surgery
- Adjunct professor with the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Colorado
- Named a Top Doctor by 5280 magazine in 2024
The procedure, step by step
What to Expect From the Procedure
An arm lift is performed under general anesthesia. The steps follow a consistent sequence:
- 01
The arm is marked
while you are standing, so the amount of skin to remove is planned accurately.
- 02
The incision is made
along the inner arm, placed where it will be least noticeable.
- 03
Excess skin is removed,
and liposuction is used at the same time when stubborn fat is also part of the picture.
- 04
The remaining skin is tightened and closed
in layers to support healing and keep the scar as fine as possible, and a compression garment is placed.
Recovery
Your Recovery, Step by Step
Recovery from an arm lift is usually straightforward, with the main limits being on how much you lift and raise your arms early on. The pattern below is typical; Dr. Martin gives you specific instructions for your case.
-
The first week
You will keep your arms supported and limit how high you raise them. Soreness and swelling are most noticeable now and are well controlled.
-
About 1 to 2 weeks
Most people return to desk work, still wearing a compression garment.
-
About 2 to 4 weeks
Arm elevation and activity gradually increase as Dr. Martin clears you.
-
Months
Swelling settles, and the scar continues to fade and flatten over about a year as it matures.
Investment
What Does an Arm Lift Cost in Denver?
In Denver, an arm lift generally runs from about $7,000 to $11,000, depending on whether it is a mini or traditional lift, whether liposuction is combined, and anesthesia and facility fees. A mini arm lift sits at the lower end, while a traditional brachioplasty with skin removal along the full arm is more involved.
At your consultation you will receive a clear, itemized quote for your specific plan, and our team will walk you through financing options so the cost fits your budget.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an arm lift cost in Colorado?
An arm lift in Denver generally runs from about $7,000 to $11,000, depending on whether you have a mini or traditional arm lift, whether liposuction is combined, and anesthesia and facility fees. You will receive an itemized quote for your specific plan at your consultation, along with financing options.
Will my arm lift scar be visible?
An arm lift requires an incision along the inner arm, so there is a scar. Dr. Martin places it where it is least visible and it fades over about a year, but it does not disappear entirely. For most patients who have lived with hanging skin, a fine inner-arm scar is a fair trade. If the scar concerns you and your laxity is mild, AccuTite may be a better fit.
What is the best procedure for saggy arms?
It depends on what is causing the sagging. If it is loose skin, an arm lift removes it. If it is stubborn fat with firm skin, liposuction reshapes the arm without a long scar. If the laxity is mild, AccuTite tightens the skin with minimal downtime. Dr. Martin matches the procedure to your arms at your consultation.
What is the difference between a mini and a traditional arm lift?
A mini arm lift addresses limited loose skin near the armpit with a shorter scar. A traditional arm lift removes excess skin along the full length of the upper arm, from armpit to elbow, with a longer incision. The right one depends on how much loose skin you have and where.
Is an arm lift painful?
Most patients describe soreness and tightness rather than severe pain, and it is well controlled with medication in the first few days. The main limit early on is keeping your arms from reaching and lifting too much while the incision heals.
What is the best age for an arm lift?
There is no single best age. What matters is that you have loose skin that bothers you, you are at a stable weight, and you are in good health. Many patients have an arm lift after reaching their goal weight, at which point the loose skin is what remains.
How long does an arm lift last?
The results are long-lasting as long as your weight stays stable, since significant weight changes can stretch or loosen the skin again. With a stable weight, the firmer arm contour holds for many years.
From Dr. Martin
Related Reading
For a closer look at arm-lift scars and what to expect once they heal, this article from Dr. Martin goes deeper:
Arm Lift in Denver
Begin
Schedule Your Consultation
The best way to know whether an arm lift is right for you is an exam with the surgeon who performs it. Dr. Martin will assess your skin and the amount of laxity, explain your options and the scar trade-off honestly, and build a plan around your goals. Take our virtual consultation to get started, or call our Denver office at (303) 321-1439 to schedule your visit.
(303) 321-1439