Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

Loose skin along the upper arm rarely responds to diet or exercise, because the issue is the skin itself rather than what sits beneath it. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes it.

At Washingtonian Plastic Surgery in McLean, dual board-certified surgeon Dr. Navin Singh performs both short-scar and long-scar brachioplasty, choosing the approach that fits your anatomy rather than a standard one.

Serving patients throughout McLean, Tysons, Great Falls, and the greater Washington DC area.

What Is an Arm Lift

Brachioplasty removes redundant skin, and where appropriate the fatty tissue beneath it, from the inner upper arm between the armpit and the elbow. The result is a firmer contour that sits closer to the underlying muscle.

There are two main techniques. A short-scar brachioplasty keeps the incision entirely within the armpit, which suits patients whose excess skin is confined to the upper arm. A traditional, or long-scar, brachioplasty extends along the inner arm and addresses laxity that continues toward the elbow.

Dr. Singh weighs your skin quality, the degree of laxity, and your lifestyle before recommending one. In some cases liposuction is performed at the same time to refine the contour further.

Who Is a Good Candidate

Most patients who come to us for an arm lift are in a similar place: weight is stable, but loose or deflated skin along the inner arm has stayed. It is common after significant weight loss, after pregnancy and nursing, or simply with age and genetics.

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Are at or near a stable goal weight
• Do not smoke, or are willing to stop well before surgery
• Are in good general health
• Have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve

Patients pursuing post-weight loss contouring often consider brachioplasty alongside other procedures, in the same coordinated way a mommy makeover addresses several areas together.

Your Procedure

Your consultation starts with an examination of your upper arms and a conversation about what you want to change. Dr. Singh explains which technique he recommends and why, and reviews your health history and medications. Our preparing for treatment guide covers the weeks before surgery.

Surgery takes place in our Quad A accredited operating room, on the same floor as the consultation suite. Brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia and usually takes one to two hours, depending on the technique and whether liposuction is combined with it.

Patients traveling from outside the region can find planning details on our out-of-town patient page.

Recovery & Results

Most patients wear a compression garment over the arms for several weeks. Swelling and bruising are expected through the first two weeks.

Desk work is usually comfortable within one to two weeks. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting are typically restricted for four to six weeks, and follow-up appointments are built into your care plan from the start.

Contour improvement becomes clear as swelling subsides, generally within four to six weeks, with the inner arm sitting firmer and closer to the muscle. Scars are placed where they are least visible and continue to soften and flatten across the first year. Keeping your weight stable after surgery supports the result.

You can see body contouring outcomes in our before and after gallery.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Singh

Dr. Navin Singh trained at Brown, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins, and served as Director of Cosmetic Surgery at Johns Hopkins before founding the practice. He holds dual board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and serves as a board examiner for both. You can read more on his profile page.

The practice is intentionally small. Dr. Singh is the surgeon who consults with you, performs your procedure, and oversees your recovery. There is no handoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is recovery?
Most patients return to light activity and desk work within one to two weeks. Lifting and strenuous exercise are typically restricted for four to six weeks. Your timeline depends on the technique used and your overall health, and Dr. Singh gives you specific guidance at your pre-operative appointment.

Will I have visible scars?
Every brachioplasty technique leaves a scar. Dr. Singh places incisions along the inner arm, where they are least visible day to day. A short-scar approach confines the incision to the armpit; a long-scar technique extends toward the elbow. Scars soften and fade considerably over twelve months, and scar management is part of your post-operative plan.

How do I choose between short-scar and long-scar?
It depends on how much loose skin you have and where it sits. A short-scar approach suits milder, more localized excess in the upper arm. A long-scar approach is more appropriate when the laxity continues toward the elbow. Dr. Singh assesses your anatomy directly and explains his recommendation.

What affects the cost?
Cost depends on the technique, anesthesia, and whether a procedure such as liposuction is performed at the same time. You receive a detailed, individualized estimate at your consultation. Financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon is available to qualifying patients. An in-person consultation with Dr. Singh is $150.

Can it be combined with other body contouring?
Yes. Brachioplasty is frequently performed alongside arm liposuction or as part of a broader post-weight loss plan. Combining procedures takes careful planning and is only appropriate when your health and anatomy support it.

Is an arm lift appropriate after major weight loss?
It is one of the most common procedures after major weight loss, because upper-arm skin often fails to retract on its own. You should be at or near a stable goal weight first, since continued fluctuation can affect your result.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about arm lift surgery, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Navin Singh at our McLean office, minutes from Washington DC and serving patients throughout Northern Virginia and Montgomery County.

Call (703) 345-4377 or request your appointment.