The arm lift at a glance
- Duration2 hours
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Time off work15 to 21 days
- Result3 months (scar: 12 months)
- Price€3,500 to €7,500
The arm lift (brachioplasty) tightens loose skin on the inner arms, the so-called “bingo wings”, by removing the excess skin, most often combined with liposuction. It is mainly intended for women from their fifties onwards and for people who have lost a great deal of weight. The operation takes 2 hours at Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night in hospital. The scar runs from the armpit to the elbow. Time off work of 15 to 21 days; result for the shape at 3 months, for the scar at 12 months.
Price: €3,500 to €7,500, on a written quote after consultation (€100).
Liposuction alone or a lift: which technique for which arms?
| Arm liposuction alone | Lift with a longitudinal scar | Lift with an armpit scar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Excess fat without loose skin, often in younger people | Significant excess skin, often after major weight loss or from your fifties onwards | Minor excess skin; not performed by Dr Médard de Chardon |
| Scar | Incisions of 2 to 3 mm | Inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow | In the armpit |
| Duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia with sedation, or general | General | General |
| Hospital stay | Day surgery | Day surgery or one night | Day surgery or one night |
| Time off work | 7 days | 15 to 21 days | 7 to 15 days |
| Longevity of the result | Long-lasting | Maximum tension, stable result | Light tension, less long-lasting |
Who is it for?
When the arm has only excess fat, without sagging skin, liposuction alone is enough; this is the usual situation in younger people. When the skin of the inner arm is loose and “wobbles”, most often in women from their fifties onwards or after weight loss, only a lift will tighten the skin. It is then combined with liposuction or not, as needed.
The lift with a longitudinal scar
This is the technique used when the excess skin is significant, most often after major weight loss. Liposuction of the arm first reduces the excess fat, then the skin of the inner arm is tightened and the excess removed. The scar is placed along the inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow. The tightening is maximal and the result stable.
Before: the skin of the inner arm is loose and “wobbles”; there is often excess fat as well.
- 1Loose skin on the inner arm (“bingo wings”)
- 2Fat reduced by liposuction
- 3Scar along the inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow
Why Dr Médard de Chardon does not perform the lift with an armpit scar
This variant places the scar in the armpit and is intended for minor excess skin, most often in women from their fifties onwards. The tightening is very light and less long-lasting than with a longitudinal lift. Dr Médard de Chardon does not perform it: the benefit is insufficient in relation to the scar it creates.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Surgery after weight loss: thigh lift, body lift, abdominoplasty.
Before and after photos
Loose skin and excess fat on the arms
Arm lift
Loose skin on the arms
Arm lift with a longitudinal scar
See all before and after photos of arm lifts
How is the operation carried out?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (€100): examination of the skin and fat of the arms, choice of technique, written quote. Statutory 15-day cooling-off period.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist (anaesthesia and intensive care physician).
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, lasting 2 hours, as day surgery or with one night in hospital.
- ClosureDissolvable stitches and no drain: no stitches or drains to remove.
- Follow-up visitsDay 7, day 15, month 1, month 3, month 6, month 12.
What is the recovery like?
- Swelling of the arms and hands for 15 to 21 days.
- Moderate pain, but discomfort with everyday movements for 15 to 21 days.
- Compression garment: 3 to 4 weeks; compression stockings: 8 days.
- Work: 15 to 21 days.
- Sport: 4 weeks for sports that use the lower body, 6 weeks for those that use the arms.
- Result for the shape at 3 months: smooth arms, taut skin, laxity treated and stable. Final scar at 12 months.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, an arm lift carries risks, which are explained in detail at the consultation: a widened or thickened scar, haematoma, collection of lymph (seroma), delayed healing, changes in sensation on the inner arm and forearm, prolonged swelling of the hand, asymmetry.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Can an arm lift be covered by insurance?
€3,500 to €7,500
If the plastic surgeon considers that cover is possible under the Assurance Maladie (French national health insurance) criteria, he writes a request for prior approval. You will be called in by the medical adviser within 15 days of the letter being received; the adviser’s written answer is sent to the surgeon. If it is favourable, the operation is classed as reconstructive surgery; if not, as cosmetic surgery. Price: €3,500 to €7,500, on a written quote after consultation (€100).
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about the arm lift
Is liposuction enough for arms that wobble?
No. Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten loose skin. It is only enough when the skin is firm, which is mainly the case in younger people.
Where is the arm lift scar?
Along the inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow. It is visible when the arms are raised and fades gradually up to month 12.
Why not hide the arm lift scar in the armpit?
A scar limited to the armpit allows only light tightening that does not last long. The benefit is most often insufficient in relation to the scar it creates.
Do stitches or a drain need to be removed after an arm lift?
No. The stitches are dissolvable and no drain is placed.
When can I return to work and sport after an arm lift?
Work after 15 to 21 days. Sport after 4 weeks if it uses the lower body, 6 weeks if it uses the arms.
Is the arm lift reimbursed?
Sometimes, after a request for prior approval from French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie), if the criteria are met. Otherwise, it is cosmetic surgery and is not reimbursed.
How much does an arm lift cost?
From €3,500 to €7,500, on a written quote after the consultation (€100).