Body Procedure
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose, hanging skin and excess fat from the upper arm between the armpit and the elbow, tightening the contour of the arm. It is most often considered after major weight loss or when skin has lost elasticity with age. At Peak Plastic Surgery Center in Denver, Dr. Eric Barker plans each arm lift around how much loose skin is present, where it sits, and the scar the patient is prepared to accept in exchange for a tighter arm.
Peak Plastic Surgery Center
Your plan is created and performed by Dr. Eric Barker, MD, a cosmetic plastic surgeon, and confirmed only after a private, in-person consultation. Individual results vary.
Cosmetic plastic surgeon
Dr. Eric Barker, MD
Cherry Creek, Denver
4500 Cherry Creek South Dr, Ste 425, Denver, CO 80246
Call (720) 500-3815
Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Direct Answer
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose, hanging skin and excess fat from the upper arm between the armpit and the elbow, tightening the contour of the arm. It is most often considered after major weight loss or when skin has lost elasticity with age. At Peak Plastic Surgery Center in Denver, Dr. Eric Barker plans each arm lift around how much loose skin is present, where it sits, and the scar the patient is prepared to accept in exchange for a tighter arm.
Candidates typically have loose upper-arm skin that does not improve with exercise, are at a stable weight, and understand that an arm lift trades loose skin for a scar along the inner arm. Patients with excess fat but good skin elasticity may be better served by liposuction alone. Every recommendation is confirmed during a private consultation in Denver after health history, anatomy, goals, timing, and recovery expectations are reviewed.
Schedule a private consultation or call (720) 500-3815 to discuss timing, candidacy, and realistic options.
Candidates typically have loose upper-arm skin that does not improve with exercise, are at a stable weight, and understand that an arm lift trades loose skin for a scar along the inner arm. Patients with excess fat but good skin elasticity may be better served by liposuction alone. Every recommendation is confirmed during a private consultation in Denver after health history, anatomy, goals, timing, and recovery expectations are reviewed.
The incision usually runs along the inner arm from near the armpit toward the elbow; its length depends on how much skin is removed. When laxity is limited to the area near the armpit, a shorter incision confined to the armpit may be an option. Liposuction is often combined with skin removal to refine the contour. Incision placement and the expected scar are reviewed in detail before surgery.
An arm lift is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients wear a compression garment, keep the arms elevated when resting, and limit lifting and reaching in the first weeks. Many patients return to desk work within one to two weeks, with exercise and heavier lifting phased back in after follow-up clearance. Scars are pink and firm at first and fade over many months; scar care is part of the recovery plan.
Cost depends on the extent of skin removal, whether liposuction is included, surgical time, anesthesia, and facility needs. Pricing is confirmed during your consultation, and flexible financing options are available (subject to credit approval).
Procedure FAQ
These questions and answers are here to help you prepare for your consultation. Individual results vary, and any recommendation is made after an in-person evaluation.
Yes. An arm lift removes skin, and the scar runs along the inner arm or the back of the arm depending on the technique. Scars fade over time but do not disappear. Patients who choose an arm lift generally decide the tighter contour is worth the scar, and that trade-off is discussed openly before surgery.
Liposuction reduces fat but does not remove loose skin. If the main concern is hanging skin, an arm lift is usually the more appropriate procedure. Consultation determines which applies.
Yes. Loose upper-arm skin is a common concern after major weight loss, including weight loss with GLP-1 medications, and an arm lift is often planned alongside or after other post-weight-loss contouring.
Lifting and reaching are limited in the first weeks so the incision can heal. Exercise and heavier lifting return in stages after follow-up clearance, on a timeline set for each patient.
It can be combined with a thigh lift, tummy tuck, or breast surgery when appropriate. Whether to combine or stage procedures depends on health, operative time, and recovery capacity.
01
Review goals, health history, anatomy, prior procedures, and recovery constraints.
02
Confirm technique options, alternatives, risks, expected downtime, and whether staging is needed.
03
Use approved pre-care instructions, photography, consent review, and scheduling guidance.
04
Return for post-care milestones and activity clearance based on the actual procedure.
