Arm lift

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

As you get older, the skin on your upper arms changes — sagging and becoming loose. Significant weight loss can also cause the undersides of your upper arms to droop.

You might consider an arm lift if:

  • Your upper arm skin is drooping
  • You have excess fat in the undersides of your upper arms

While exercise can strengthen and improve muscle tone in the upper arm, it can't address excess skin that has lost elasticity.

An arm lift isn't for everyone. Your doctor might caution against an arm lift if you:

  • Are significantly overweight
  • Have frequent changes in your weight
Risks Definition
References
  1. Mang WL. Manual of Aesthetic Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Springer; 2010:351.
  2. Arm lift. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Cosmetic-Procedures/Arm-Lift.html. Accessed June 22, 2012.
  3. Jacobson SR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 3, 2012.
MY02108 Aug. 28, 2012

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