Arm Lift

Reshape the upper arms after aging or significant weight loss with an arm lift in Los Angeles. Dr. Teitelbaum takes an individualized approach to every procedure to ensure your results are subtle, natural-looking, and aligned with your body’s contours.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, or a brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin from the upper arms to create a tighter, fuller, and firmer shape. Some patients also include liposuction in their arm lift to remove small, stubborn fat deposits in the arms, giving them a more toned appearance. Most often, arm lifts are performed after significant weight loss to address excess skin and a loss of skin elasticity along the upper arms, often called a “batwing” arm.

Contouring the Upper Arms

Every patient’s motivation for seeking plastic surgery is different, but patients can expect the following benefits from their arm lift:

Smoother, tighter, and firmer upper arm contours
Removal of excess skin and fat
Improved upper body proportions
Better fit in clothing, especially fitted sleeves
Increased confidence when raising or exposing the arms

arm lift before and after

Who Is a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

Ideal candidates for an arm lift are healthy, non-smoking adults who fit the following criteria:

Have excess skin or fat that does not respond to diet and exercise
Are at a stable weight, especially after significant weight loss
Have skin laxity along the upper arms

To confirm your candidacy, Dr. Teitelbaum will perform a short physical examination during your initial consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

Dr. Teitelbaum is widely recognized among his industry peers as one of the world’s preeminent breast surgeons, elevating the field to new heights. His work focuses on delivering personalized results for patients, ensuring your arm lift is fully tailored to your unique needs.

An Elite Education

Prior to opening his private practice in 1995, Dr. Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Harvard University, earning dual board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. During his education, he worked in the plastic surgery wards of LA County Hospital to further refine his skills, and now serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Teitelbaum has taken his advanced expertise and innovative techniques worldwide, delivering lectures on five continents and presenting to students and trained surgeons alike. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals like the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he’s earned memberships and leadership roles in the following professional organizations:

Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

Putting Patients First

As a patient, you’ll feel Dr. Teitelbaum’s passion for plastic surgery and thoughtful patient care from your first consultation to your final follow-up. He and his licensed team, which includes a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, lead with transparency, integrity, and trust every step of the way. Every team member is held to the highest industry standards, ensuring your procedure is safe, effective, and satisfactory.

Schedule A Consultation

(310) 315-1121 Contact Us

Your Private Consultation

Ahead of your arm lift in Los Angeles, you’ll join Dr. Teitelbaum for a one-on-one, confidential consultation. There, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, concerns, and medical history, and he’ll evaluate your skin health and fat distribution along the upper arms to determine if a lift is right for you. Based on his findings, he’ll begin building a customized surgical plan that brings your vision for yourself to life.

Pricing Your Procedure

An arm lift with Dr. Teitelbaum typically costs between $14,000 and $18,000. The final cost of your arm lift in Los Angeles will depend on the following factors:

Surgical complexity and extent of correction
Whether liposuction is included
Whether other procedures will be performed in the same surgical session

After your consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum's team will share a complete cost breakdown and extensive financing options for total transparency.

What to Expect From Your Arm Lift in Los Angeles

Most arm lifts are performed under general anesthesia for your comfort, but you may opt for local anesthesia with sedation. During surgery, Dr. Teitelbaum will make a careful incision along the inner arm, typically from the armpit to the elbow, to access the internal tissue. If you have only mild skin laxity, an armpit-only incision may be best.

Dr. Teitelbaum works conservatively to ensure the optimal amount of fat and skin is removed, avoiding overly tight or artificial-looking results. Once removal is complete, your incisions will be closed with small sutures to promote rapid healing and a smooth, minimally visible scar.

Gentle, High-Touch Recovery

Recovery after an arm lift typically involves mild swelling, soreness, and bruising along the upper arms, which should resolve within a week. You may need to wear compression sleeves during early recovery to reduce swelling and promote circulation in the area. Light walking is often encouraged early, but you’ll need to limit your arm movements and avoid lifting objects for several days. After your procedure, Dr. Teitelbaum will share a customized recovery plan designed to support your healing. This plan may include the following items:

Incision site care and cleaning protocols
Activity limitations
Hygiene recommendations
Supportive garment guidance
Sleep position restrictions
Swelling and pain management strategies
Clothing options for your recovery

Over the coming weeks, you’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s office for regular follow-up appointments with his team. There, he’ll monitor your healing progress, remove any remaining sutures, and approve you to resume strenuous activities, like heavy lifting, boxing, or swimming. The final results of your arm lift will reveal themselves as residual swelling fades, which may take several weeks.

Completing Your Transformation

Many patients include an arm lift as part of an overarching body rejuvenation plan, helping them achieve a more comprehensive refresh. Complementary procedures include the following:

Tummy tuck
Mommy Makeover
Menopause Makeover
Thigh lift
Liposuction outside of the arms

Arm Lift FAQs

Will an arm lift remove all loose skin?

An arm lift will remove the majority of the loose skin on your arms, but exact amounts will depend on your anatomy and surgical plan. Dr. Teitelbaum takes a big-picture approach to ensure your final results remain balanced and proportionate with the rest of your body.

How do I know if I need an arm lift or just liposuction?

Liposuction removes fat from the upper arms but does not tighten loose skin, while an arm lift can do both. If skin laxity is present, an arm lift is the best option to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Will my scars be visible?

Dr. Teitelbaum strategically places scars along the inside of your arms and at the base of the armpit to hide them as much as possible, but they may still be visible when wearing short-sleeved or sleeveless tops.

How long will my results last?

The results of your arm lift are designed to be long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their outcomes for 10 years or longer. You can extend the longevity of your results by maintaining a stable weight, a healthy diet, and an exercise routine.

References

Teitelbaum, Steven A. M.D.; Burns, John L. M.D.; Kubota, Junichiro M.D.; Matsuda, Hidenori M.D.; Otto, Morkel J. M.B.Ch.B., M.Pharm. Med., M.Phil.; Shirakabe, Yukio M.D.; Suzuki, Yoshiro M.D.; Brown, Spencer A. Ph.D. Noninvasive Body Contouring by Focused Ultrasound: Safety and Efficacy of the Contour I Device in a Multicenter, Controlled, Clinical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 120(3):p 779-789, September 1, 2007.
Teitelbaum, Steven M.D. Discussion: Clinical Implications of Gluteal Fat Graft Migration: A Dynamic Anatomical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 142(5): p. 1196-1197, November 2018.