Upper Arm Lift

Upper Arm Lift - 33 years of experience in general surgery · 28 years of experience in plastic surgery · Extensive experience and comprehensive training and continuing education · Instructor for colleagues · Has had his own practice for 22 years · Has operated a clinic for 5 years

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Do you avoid T-shirts, tank tops, and tops with spaghetti straps? Even in warmer weather, do you prefer to wear long sleeves that cover your upper arms? While your arms may have been firm when you were younger, the connective tissue loses its elasticity as you age. It’s not just aging that contributes to sagging connective tissue; significant weight loss can also prevent the skin from retracting sufficiently. In cases of so-called “bat wings,” where the skin hangs loosely from the upper arms, exercise and muscle building alone may not always be enough to achieve a satisfactory result. Thanks to a cosmetic procedure, the excess skin on the upper arms can be removed.

An upper arm lift is a procedure performed by the specialist clinic that can be easily done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia; upon request, it can also be performed under general anesthesia on an inpatient basis. The procedure is preceded by a personal consultation with Dr. Münzberg, a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery. During this appointment, the plastic surgeon will explain the extent to which skin tightening on the upper arms is possible and how much subcutaneous fat tissue can be removed.

An upper arm lift is usually preceded by liposuction. This results in a significantly better and longer-lasting outcome, as well as skin tightening achieved through a specialized liposuction technique.

The excess skin is then removed, leaving a barely visible scar that runs from the armpit to the elbow. The scar is located on the inner side of the upper arm and is therefore barely visible in everyday life. This procedure simultaneously tightens the skin.

The surgery takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Depending on the amount of wound fluid, Dr. Münzberg decides on a case-by-case basis whether a drain needs to be placed to allow for better drainage.

A slight numbness, swelling, and bruising in the affected areas are completely normal and no cause for concern. These symptoms should subside about 6 weeks after the upper arm lift. After the cosmetic procedure, you should take it easy for several weeks. This means that you should avoid sunbathing, saunas, and full baths for at least six weeks. You should also avoid physically strenuous activities such as sports or heavy lifting.

The sutures are removed after approximately 12 to 14 days. Dr. Münzberg, a board-certified plastic surgeon, does not use dissolvable sutures for upper arm lifts, as they do not promote good scar healing. With absorbable sutures (Monocryl), the sugar compound often leads to delayed wound healing and poorer scar healing due to the high sugar content. You must wear elastic bandages on your upper and lower arms for 1–2 days. After that, you will wear compression garments under the bandage on your upper arms for 6 weeks. After the sutures are removed, special scar treatment with a silicone gel or silicone patch is recommended. This will make the scar even softer and less visible.

The recovery period is approximately 10 to 14 days. You will see the final result after approximately 3 to 6 months.

To ensure an accurate assessment and personalized consultation, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Münzberg, the treating physician, at his clinic prior to your cosmetic surgery procedure.

We would also be happy to send you informational materials free of charge and with no obligation.