Brachioplasty (arm lift)
Dr. Rodrigo Jorrat · Plastic surgeon · Buenos Aires · Lic. MN 122903Last updated: October 8, 2026Brachioplasty removes the excess skin and tissue of the arms. There's something I say in the first consultation, before anything else: it leaves a visible scar on the inner side of the arm. If I accept a brachioplasty, I accept a scar.
Who it's for
Those who, after significant weight loss, have skin that hangs when raising the arms, sticks out when lowering them or gets irritated in the fold, and who find a tight T-shirt uncomfortable. With little excess skin, the alternatives are liposculpture with tightening technology or a mini brachioplasty with the scar in the armpit.
How it's done
It's a tailor's job: the excess is removed and the skin is fitted to the arm. The suture sits on the inner side, from the elbow towards the armpit, with a length that depends on how much has to be removed.
Scar and recovery
Patients scar the way they can, not the way they want: there are treatments to improve it (silicone sheets, pressure therapy, laser, injections). The first 48 hours bring the most swelling; after that, careful movement, compression sleeves and physiotherapy. In post-bariatric patients there's a real possibility of needing a revision later, because the skin has less strength and the arm is in constant motion.
What we discuss beforehand
Where the scar will sit and how much it will show with short sleeves; whether a lesser alternative makes sense in your case; and what to do if the scar doesn't evolve as we hope.
The YouTube chapter on this topic
Real cases of this procedure
Patients I treated, published with their consent. Drag the divider to compare.
Mastopexy and brachioplasty in stages
Surgery is planned in stages, prioritising the areas that cause the most discomfort. See on Instagram
BeforeAfter80 kg lost: reconstruction in stages
360 dermolipectomy and, in a second stage, mastopexy with dermal suspension, structured mastoplasty and brachioplasty. See on Instagram
BeforeAfterImages published with each patient's written consent. Results vary from person to person and are not a guarantee for other patients.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the scar?
On the inner side of the arm. It shows when raising the arms and with short sleeves.
Can I move my arms afterwards?
Yes, and you should. Carefully, with compression sleeves and physiotherapy.
Can it be done without a long scar?
Only with little excess skin: liposculpture with technology or a mini armpit brachioplasty. With a lot of loose skin, the long scar is unavoidable.
The information in this article is general and does not replace an individual evaluation.
From my Instagram
Cases and explanations I shared on my account, in Spanish. Tap to play.
The scar is one of the most frequent questions about brachioplasty. This surgery removes the excess skin and tissue of the arms, very common after major weight loss. In chapter 4 on YouTube we talk about what to consider before surgery.
After losing a lot of weight, what we call lipodystrophy can remain: changes in the volume and tissues of an area that alter its contour. On the arms this causes discomfort even in something as everyday as raising them or wearing certain clothes.
After major weight loss, excess skin appears in different areas and each needs a different approach: on the abdomen, dermolipectomy; on the arms, brachioplasty; and on the legs, a thigh lift for the skin of the inner thigh.
