Arm Lift
Serving Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and the Northwest Arkansas area
Serving Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and the Northwest Arkansas area
If you constantly hide your upper arms in sleeves, avoid photos, or feel that your arms simply don't match how strong or youthful you feel, an arm lift can help bring your reflection back in line with your self-image. At Michael Spann, MD in Fayetteville, arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) is designed to smooth and tighten the upper arms while still looking like 'you', just more confident and comfortable.
Whether loose skin is the result of weight loss, aging, or genetics, no amount of diet or workouts can fully address stretched tissue. Dr. Spann uses precise, customized techniques, from limited-incision lifts to full brachioplasty, often combined with liposuction, to refine your arm contour in a way that suits your frame and goals. Our practice focuses on body-positive, individualized care, so you feel supported and empowered at every step.
Enjoy tops, dresses, and special occasions without feeling the need to cover or conceal your arms.
Refine excess skin and fullness so your arms better match your fitness level and overall body contour.
From mini arm lifts to full brachioplasty with liposuction, your treatment plan is customized to your anatomy and goals.
Most patients return to light activities in about 1–2 weeks, with compression garments and gradual return to exercise over 4–6 weeks.
Results are typically long-lasting with a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, and scars usually fade significantly over 12–18 months.
Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) is not one-size-fits-all. At Michael Spann, MD in Fayetteville, AR, your procedure is tailored to your unique concerns, skin quality, and goals. Our approach focuses on choosing the least invasive technique that can still deliver the tighter, smoother arm contour you want, whether your main issue is stubborn fat, loose skin, or both.
Liposuction alone can serve if you have good skin elasticity but extra fat on the upper arms, using tiny incisions hidden in natural creases to slim and refine your arm without removing skin.
A Standard arm lift is recommended for more significant laxity, with an incision running along the inner arm from the armpit toward the elbow to remove excess skin and reshape the full length of the upper arm for a more dramatic transformation.
An Extended arm lift may be the right fit if extra skin continues from the upper arm onto the side of the chest or torso, using a longer incision that extends onto the chest wall to smooth the entire upper arm and lateral chest for a more continuous, contoured result.
During your consultation, Dr. Spann will carefully evaluate your skin, fat distribution, and overall health to recommend the most ideal option that still meets your goals, helping you achieve lasting, natural-looking arm definition with scars that typically fade over time.
Every arm lift at our Fayetteville practice is customized to you. During your consultation, your surgeon evaluates your skin quality, fat distribution, muscle tone, and how you feel about potential scars to recommend the right incision pattern and whether to add liposuction for finer contouring.
Your plan also reflects your lifestyle. If you love sleeveless tops, you may choose a tighter contour even if it means a longer scar, while others may prefer a shorter incision with a more conservative change. We also consider your activity level, work demands, and caregiving responsibilities to design a recovery that fits real life.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Michael Spann, MD, has spent nearly two decades helping Fayetteville patients refine their contours with arm lift surgery and post-weight-loss body shaping. Known for natural-looking results, he combines advanced brachioplasty techniques with meticulous scar planning to balance improvement and discretion. In every consultation, Dr. Spann listens closely to what you want — and what you don't — explaining scar trade-offs honestly and never rushing decisions. His longstanding ties to the community and local hospital affiliations underscore a simple truth: choosing the right surgeon matters as much as choosing the procedure.
An arm lift targets loose, hanging upper arm skin that liposuction alone cannot tighten. Liposuction removes excess fat, but patients with crepey skin, especially after major weight loss, usually need brachioplasty to see a true contour change. Those with firm skin and isolated fat may do well with liposuction alone.
Many Fayetteville patients benefit from a blend of both procedures, best determined after an in-person evaluation and personalized treatment plan.
Considering an arm lift in Fayetteville, AR? It truly starts with a conversation. During your private consultation, Dr. Spann will begin by listening carefully to what bothers you most about your upper arms, from loose skin to changes after weight loss or aging. You’ll talk through your goals, lifestyle, and what kind of results would feel right for you.
Next, your medical history is reviewed, and your arms are gently examined. Dr. Spann may take measurements or photos to better understand your anatomy and to plan potential treatment. Using visuals and before-and-after examples, he’ll walk you through different arm lift options — from limited-incision (mini) lifts to full brachioplasty, sometimes combined with liposuction for added definition.
You’re encouraged to ask anything on your mind: scars, downtime, comfort, and how long results can last. You’ll leave with a clear, personalized plan — not an obligation to schedule surgery. It starts with a conversation: request your arm lift consultation by calling our Fayetteville office or submitting our online form today.
Arm lift recovery in Fayetteville typically unfolds in stages so you can plan life with confidence. During the first 24–72 hours, your arms will be wrapped, elevated, and supported in compression garments; expect tightness, swelling, and temporary numbness that are managed with prescribed medications and careful positioning. In the first week, most patients limit lifting and overhead reaching while focusing on gentle movement and incision care. By weeks 2–4, swelling improves, many return to desk work and driving, and light exercise often resumes, with more strenuous workouts added gradually as Dr. Spann clears you.
Beyond the first month, compression garments are usually worn less, scars begin to soften, and your new arm contour becomes more visible as swelling continues to fade. You'll have scheduled follow-up visits so Dr. Spann can monitor healing, adjust activity guidelines, and address any lingering numbness or tightness. Most patients feel increasingly comfortable planning travel, family events, and social activities during this phase, while still protecting their results by avoiding heavy lifting and following all incision and scar-care instructions for long-term improvement.
When the mirror finally reflects how confident you feel inside, everyday moments start to change. After an arm lift, many people in Fayetteville find themselves reaching for sleeveless dresses, fitted tops, and gym tanks without that familiar tug of self-consciousness. Weddings, beach vacations, and summer events feel easier when you're not thinking about your arms in every photo. Surgery doesn't change who you are, but it can let your hard work and inner confidence show on the outside.
You're likely a good candidate for an arm lift if you are in good overall health, at or near a stable weight, and bothered by loose skin on your upper arms that doesn't improve with diet and exercise. An arm lift can be especially helpful after significant weight loss, aging, or if you have a genetic tendency toward excess upper arm skin. During your consultation, your surgeon will review your medical history, examine your arms, and discuss your goals to confirm that brachioplasty is an appropriate and safe option for you.
All arm lifts involve some degree of scarring, but incisions are carefully placed along the inner or back of the arm where they are less noticeable. A mini arm lift uses shorter incisions, while a full brachioplasty may extend from the armpit toward the elbow to remove more skin. Scars are typically firm and pink at first, then gradually soften and fade over 12–18 months. Following your surgeon's scar care instructions, protecting your skin from the sun, and avoiding smoking can help your scars heal as smoothly and discreetly as possible.
Most patients take about 1–2 weeks away from work or daily responsibilities after an arm lift, depending on the type of job they have. Swelling, tightness, and mild discomfort are common in the first several days and are usually well managed with medication and supportive garments. You will likely wear a compression sleeve for several weeks to limit swelling and support your new arm contour. While light activities resume quickly, full healing and refinement of your results continue for several months as tissues settle and scars mature.
Yes, many patients combine an arm lift with other body contouring procedures, such as a breast lift, tummy tuck, or liposuction, especially after major weight loss. Combining surgeries can address multiple areas in a single operative session and a shared recovery period. Your surgeon will evaluate your overall health, surgery length, and safety considerations to determine the best combination for you. In Fayetteville and the surrounding Northwest Arkansas area, this approach is often part of a customized post-weight-loss treatment plan.
Arm lift results are long-lasting, especially if you maintain a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. The excess skin and fat removed during surgery do not return; however, significant weight changes or natural aging can affect your contour over time. Most patients enjoy a more toned, streamlined arm appearance for many years. Protecting your skin from the sun, staying active, and following your surgeon's postoperative guidance can help you preserve your results and feel confident in short sleeves and sleeveless clothing.
As with any surgery, an arm lift carries potential risks, including bleeding, infection, fluid buildup, and reactions to anesthesia. Specific brachioplasty risks can include visible scarring, asymmetry, numbness or changes in skin sensation, and delayed wound healing. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following all pre- and postoperative instructions helps reduce these risks. Your surgeon will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and explain what to expect so you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.
Most patients can start gentle walking within a day or two of surgery to support circulation. Light daily activities usually resume within 1–2 weeks, as long as you avoid lifting, pushing, or pulling with your arms. In general, you can expect to gradually return to more vigorous exercise and upper body workouts over 4–6 weeks, depending on your healing progress. Your Fayetteville plastic surgeon will provide a personalized timeline and clear guidelines so you know exactly when it is safe to increase your activity level.
