The Journal / Body
Arm Lift in Dallas: Firmer, Smoother Upper Arms
Brachioplasty for loose skin after weight loss, GLP-1 medications or aging, explained by Dr. John Burns.
Arm lift vs. liposuction, scar placement, recovery, risks and cost.
Medically reviewed by John L. Burns Jr., MD, FACS · Board-certified plastic surgeon · Dallas, Texas · Updated October 2026
The short answer
An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes loose skin and fat from the upper arm. Dr. Burns uses a mini arm lift with a hidden armpit incision for limited excess, or a full arm lift from armpit to elbow, often with liposuction. Most patients return to work in 1 to 2 weeks.
Want a personal answer? Start a free online arm lift consultation with Dr. Burns and share your goals and photos privately.
In this article
- What is an arm lift?
- Who needs an arm lift?
- Arm lift after weight loss and GLP-1s
- Arm lift vs. arm liposuction
- Types of arm lift and scar placement
- The procedure
- Arm lift recovery timeline
- Caring for your arm lift scar
- Risks
- Arm lift cost in Dallas
- Arm lift in Dallas with Dr. Burns
- Why Dr. Burns
- FAQ
- The takeaway
Excess skin and fat in the upper arm is a major concern for many women. Poor skin quality and the effects of gravity can cause the fat deposited in the arm to hang, creating what many people call “bat wings.”
Exercise can build the muscle underneath, but it cannot tighten stretched skin. That is where an arm lift comes in. Here, Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. John Burns explains who needs one, when liposuction is enough, how the incisions compare, recovery and cost.
What Is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a procedure designed to remove both loose skin and fat from the upper arm. The excess tissue is surgically removed and the remaining skin is tightened, which can dramatically improve the contour of the upper arm from the armpit toward the elbow.
The incision can be partially hidden by placing it on the underside of the arm. When fat needs to be reduced as well, Dr. Burns commonly combines the skin removal with liposuction so the arm is both slimmer and smoother. The procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of skin excision, is performed under general anesthesia and is an outpatient surgery.
You can learn more on Dr. Burns’ main arm lift in Dallas procedure page, which covers each technique in detail.
Who Needs an Arm Lift?
Good candidates have excess skin, fat or both on their upper arms. Sagging upper arms usually come from one or more of these causes:
- Major weight loss, whether from diet and exercise, bariatric surgery or GLP-1 medications, which can leave skin that has lost its ability to retract
- Aging, as skin loses elasticity and collagen and gravity takes over
- Heredity, since some people simply store fat in the upper arms
- Weight fluctuation over the years, which stretches the skin repeatedly
Dr. Burns looks for patients who are:
- At a normal and stable body weight, ideally with a BMI under 30 (he will consider patients up to a BMI of 35 if their weight has plateaued)
- Non-smokers in good overall health
- Willing to stop aspirin and other medications that can interfere with healing before surgery
- Comfortable trading loose skin for a well-placed scar
- Looking for contour improvement, not weight loss
That last point matters. An arm lift should not be used as a weight loss method. Peer-reviewed plastic surgery research indicates that complication rates from body contouring surgery, such as wound healing problems, infection and blood clots, are much lower when BMI is in the normal range, which is why Dr. Burns encourages every patient to know their BMI before elective surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons also notes that drooping from weight changes, aging and heredity cannot be corrected through exercise.
Arm Lift After Weight Loss, Ozempic and GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have made dramatic weight loss far more common. Fat accumulates in the upper arms, and when it is lost quickly the skin often cannot keep up.
As Dr. Burns explains in his post on how to say goodbye to bat wings and treat Ozempic arms, rapid weight loss can reduce muscle as well as fat. The arms have a high ratio of muscle to fat, so they are particularly vulnerable: losing muscle tone underneath makes sagging skin look even more pronounced.
Some patients have a few inches of excess skin to remove, while others may have as much as 7 inches. For most weight loss patients, liposuction alone is rarely enough because it does not address the skin, and the treatment of choice is usually an arm lift.
Timing your arm lift after GLP-1 weight loss
Wait until your weight has plateaued. Dr. Burns covers when the body is ready in safety after massive weight loss and staging plastic surgery, and patients with loose skin in several areas can explore massive weight loss body contouring.
Weight loss rarely affects only the arms. If your face has also deflated, see treatments for Ozempic face.
Arm Lift vs. Arm Liposuction (VASER and Renuvion)
Whether you need skin removal or liposuction depends on skin quality, not on how large the arm is.
For some patients without stretch marks or excess skin, liposuction can offer excellent results without a visible scar. Liposuction removes excess fat through tiny incisions hidden in the elbow and armpit areas. Dr. Burns uses VASER ultrasound liposuction, which uses ultrasound energy to melt the fat, allowing smoother and more even extraction.
For mild skin laxity, energy-based tightening can help. Renuvion combines radiofrequency energy with helium plasma to tighten skin from underneath after fat is removed, and BodyTite uses radiofrequency for patients with mild laxity and good skin quality. Read the full approach in arm liposuction in Dallas with VASER and Renuvion skin tightening.
When skin truly hangs, however, no device can remove it. Patients with more severe loose skin still benefit from a surgical arm lift, frequently combined with liposuction for the best contour.
Not sure if you need liposuction or an arm lift?
Dr. Burns evaluates your skin quality and fat in person or through photos and recommends the least invasive option that will work.
Ask Dr. Burns about your armsTypes of Arm Lift and Arm Lift Scar Placement
Every arm lift trades loose skin for a scar. The incision length and pattern depend on how much excess skin there is and where it sits.
Mini arm lift (limited or short-scar incision)
For patients whose fat does not extend to the elbow, Dr. Burns can use a limited armpit incision. The incision is hidden in the armpit, and excess skin is advanced and removed through that more hidden incision. The trade-off is that a mini arm lift removes less skin and offers less contour than the full inner-arm incision, so it is best when the excess is minimal and located close to the armpit.
Full arm lift (longitudinal brachioplasty)
This is the standard approach and the one most weight loss patients need. The incision extends from the armpit to the elbow and is elliptical to allow it to lie flat against the arm. It is placed on the underside of the arm so it is partially hidden when the arms are at your sides. When fat removal is needed, it is combined with liposuction. The scar generally heals very well and is not a source of concern for most patients.
Extended arm lift
After massive weight loss, loose skin sometimes continues past the armpit onto the upper side of the chest. In these cases surgeons may extend the incision across the armpit toward the lateral chest, a variation described in the plastic surgery literature as an L-shaped brachioplasty. Whether you need an extended incision is decided at your consultation based on where your excess skin ends.
What to Expect on Arm Lift Surgery Day
Arm lift surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia and takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. Patients generally describe it as not extremely painful: Dr. Burns uses long-lasting numbing medication during surgery, and prescription pain medication is provided afterward.
Drains are usually not necessary, though they may be used for larger liposuction cases. You go home the same day in a compression garment with written instructions for the days ahead.
An arm lift is very common to combine with other procedures, such as breast surgery, liposuction, a tummy tuck or a thigh lift. Combining areas is generally less expensive than separate operations, though the plan always depends on safety.
Arm Lift Recovery Timeline
These are estimates, not guarantees. Your timeline depends on the type of arm lift, whether liposuction is added and how you heal.
Day of surgery
Outpatient surgery under general anesthesia, about 1 to 2 hours. Long-lasting numbing medication helps with comfort, and you go home in a compression garment.
First week
Mild pain, swelling and possible bruising are expected. Compression garments are worn and comfort improves day by day.
Second week
Most patients can drive and resume normal activity, and light exercise is often possible. Dr. Burns’ arm lift page estimates a return to work at 1 to 2 weeks.
Weeks three to four
Activity increases gradually. When skin has been removed, vigorous exercise and heavy lifting are generally avoided for about the first month; liposuction-only patients can return to exercise as tolerated.
One to two months
Most of the swelling resolves and the new contour of the arm becomes clear.
Six to twelve months
The scar matures, softening, flattening and fading toward a fine white line.
To maintain your result, keep a stable weight, care for your incisions and resume upper-body exercise once cleared.
Caring for Your Arm Lift Scar
Arm lift scars are initially red and raised for at least the first month. Over 6 to 12 months they soften, flatten and fade, and the goal is a fine white line once healing is complete.
Dr. Burns’ scar protocol includes:
- Scar gel
- Silicone sheeting
- Laser therapy when it can help the scar mature
Arm Lift Risks to Understand
Every surgery carries risk. Dr. Burns’ arm lift page lists pain, bleeding, infection, incomplete improvement, contour irregularity and healing problems. Temporary swelling, bruising and some pain are normal side effects rather than complications.
The ASPS arm lift safety information also lists anesthesia risks, fluid accumulation (seroma), numbness or other changes in skin sensation, fat necrosis, damage to deeper structures such as nerves and blood vessels, sutures that surface through the skin, unsightly scarring and the possible need for revisional surgery.
Arm Lift Cost in Dallas
Arm lift cost depends on the type of arm lift (mini, full or extended), whether liposuction or skin tightening is added, anesthesia and facility fees, and whether the arm lift is combined with other procedures. For a national reference point, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported an average surgeon/physician fee range of $6,000 to $10,500 for an upper arm lift in 2024 (ASPS 2024 average cost data). That figure reflects surgeon fees only and is not a quote; your personal quote is provided at consultation.
Arm lift surgery is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance.
If you are planning an arm lift, financing can make the timing easier. Dr. Burns offers plastic surgery financing with options you can apply for online.
Arm Lift in Dallas with Dr. Burns
Dr. Burns sees arm lift patients at 9201 N. Central Expressway, Suite 350, in Dallas. Many begin with a free online consultation, then meet in person so he can assess skin quality, fat distribution and where the excess ends. Together you choose liposuction, a mini, full or extended arm lift, and whether to combine areas.
Patients who want a total body plan often pair an arm lift with abdominal contouring; see tummy tuck with lipo for the thinnest possible waist and Dr. Burns’ liposuction in Dallas page. Browse the arm lift photo gallery, the full before-and-after gallery and patient reviews.
Why patients choose Dr. Burns for arm lift surgery
John L. Burns Jr., MD, FACS
Dr. Burns performs body contouring after weight loss, including arm lift, VASER liposuction with Renuvion, tummy tuck and thigh lift, and plans each procedure around skin quality and safety.
- Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- More than 25 years of experience
- First plastic surgeon in the U.S. to complete a fellowship in laser surgery (UT Southwestern Medical Center); Clinical Instructor of Plastic Surgery, UT Southwestern
- Plastic surgery residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch; summa cum laude, UTMB Research Honors Program; Alpha Omega Alpha
- Microvascular training at MD Anderson Cancer Center; cosmetic surgery training in Miami; Vanderbilt University graduate
- Medical Director, JOLA Aesthetics; Past President, Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute; Board of Directors, Share-A-Smile Foundation
- Named one of America's Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026); 2026 categories: breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, facelift, liposuction, rhinoplasty and tummy tuck
- D Magazine Best Doctors 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; D Magazine “The Face of Breast Augmentation” 2024 and 2025; Texas Monthly Super Doctors 2024
- Allergan Double Black Diamond practice (Botox and filler, top 20 in the U.S.)
Read Dr. Burns’ full biography · Read patient reviews · View the before-and-after gallery
Frequently asked questions about arm lift surgery
What is an arm lift (brachioplasty)?
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is surgery that removes loose skin and fat from the upper arm to improve its contour. It is often combined with liposuction.
How do I know if I need an arm lift or arm liposuction?
Skin quality decides it. If fat is the main issue and the skin is good, VASER liposuction, sometimes with Renuvion, may be enough without a visible scar. If the skin hangs, especially after major weight loss, an arm lift is usually needed.
Where is the arm lift scar, and does it fade?
A full arm lift scar runs along the underside of the arm from armpit to elbow; a mini arm lift keeps it in the armpit. Scars are red and raised at first, then fade over 6 to 12 months toward a fine white line.
What is a mini arm lift?
A mini or short-scar arm lift uses a limited incision hidden in the armpit for mild excess that does not extend to the elbow. It removes less skin and gives less contour than a full arm lift.
How long is arm lift recovery?
Most patients return to work in 1 to 2 weeks. Expect mild pain, swelling and possible bruising the first week; by the second week most drive and resume normal activity. Swelling resolves over 1 to 2 months.
When can I exercise or lift weights after an arm lift?
Light exercise is usually possible around the second week. When skin is removed, vigorous exercise is generally avoided for about the first month. Liposuction-only patients can return to exercise as tolerated. Dr. Burns clears each patient individually.
Is arm lift surgery painful?
Most patients describe it as not extremely painful. Dr. Burns uses long-lasting numbing medication during surgery, and prescription pain medication is provided for the first days.
Will I need drains after an arm lift?
Usually not. Drains may be used in cases that include larger-volume liposuction.
How much does an arm lift cost in Dallas, and does insurance cover it?
It depends on the type of arm lift, added liposuction and anesthesia and facility costs. The ASPS reported an average surgeon fee range of $6,000 to $10,500 for an upper arm lift in 2024. It is cosmetic and not covered by insurance; financing is available.
Should I finish losing weight on Ozempic or another GLP-1 before an arm lift?
Yes. Your weight should be stable and plateaued before surgery. Dr. Burns prefers a BMI under 30 and will consider patients up to 35 whose weight has plateaued. An arm lift is not a weight loss method.
Are arm lift results permanent?
Results are considered permanent if a stable weight is maintained, though aging and gravity continue over time.
The takeaway
If your upper arms are mostly fat with good skin, VASER liposuction, sometimes with Renuvion, may be all you need. If the skin hangs, especially after major or GLP-1 weight loss, an arm lift is the reliable fix, from a mini lift hidden in the armpit to a full or extended brachioplasty. Reach a stable weight first, plan for about two weeks of downtime, and choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who matches the technique to your anatomy.
Visit us
Plan your arm lift in Dallas
John L. Burns Jr., MD, FACS · 9201 N. Central Expressway, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75231 · 214-515-0002 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
Instagram · TikTok · Facebook · YouTube · Pinterest · X
Nonsurgical skin care and treatments: JOLA Aesthetics
Continue reading
After weight loss
Say Goodbye to Bat Wings: Solutions for Ozempic ArmsAfter weight loss
Treatments for Ozempic FaceSources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Arm Lift; ASPS, Arm Lift Risks and Safety; ASPS, Cosmetic Procedures Average Cost 2024; Hurwitz DJ, Holland SW. The L brachioplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006. Procedure details from Dr. Burns’ arm lift pages. This article is for education and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. The ASPS figure is a national average surgeon/physician fee only; total fees vary by patient and plan, and your personal quote is provided at consultation.