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Arm Lift | Brachioplasty

With time and weight loss, skin within the upper arm becomes loose and redundant. It sags, creates visible skin excess, and resists improvement through exercise alone. For many patients it affects how they dress and how they feel about their arms.

Brachioplasty removes this excess skin and fat from the upper arm — from the armpit to the elbow — restoring a more youthful contour and shape. The procedure involves excision alone or in combination with liposuction, and can be performed independently or alongside other body contouring procedures.

Mr Matthew Potter has performed brachioplasty for eight years. His outcome data records 0% unplanned return to theatre, 0% revision, and 0% wound dehiscence across his career.
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Why Mr Potter

8 years performing arm lift surgery

0% unplanned return to theatre

0% revision

0% wound dehiscence

Average post-operative stay: 1 night

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Our Technique

The excess skin and fat is removed from the inner aspect of the upper arm through excision alone or in combination with liposuction, depending on the proportion of skin excess to fat excess in each patient.

The resulting scar runs along the inside of the arm from the armpit to the elbow — a position that keeps it as hidden as possible. In more significant cases, the scar may finish in a Y shape at both the armpit and elbow ends to minimise its overall length. The wound edges will appear raised and puckered initially — this settles to flat scars at around one month, producing the optimal long-term result.

Preparing for Surgery

Your Recovery

What to Expect

Bruising and swelling are expected in the first week and typically settle within a week. Wound tapes will begin to peel after a few days and can be trimmed at home. Raised wound edges will flatten at around one month.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1 – Shower with tape in place; wash thoroughly and allow to air dry; drains removed if used

Days 1–2 – Oral pain relief as needed — most patients need it for two days only

Days 3–5 – Wound tapes begin to peel; trim at home

7 days – Wound review at original hospital

3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter

3 months – Further review

6 weeks – Strenuous exercise avoided until this point

8 weeks – Return to normal activities

Do's & Don'ts

  • Shower with tape in place from day one; wash thoroughly and allow to air dry
  • Take oral pain relief for the first two days as needed
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights for 6 weeks
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre
  • Return to normal activities at 8 weeks

The Procedure

What Happens on the Day

You will be admitted on the day of your procedure and seen by the anaesthetist and Mr Potter before going to theatre. Your arms will be marked and you will have the opportunity to ask any final questions before surgery begins.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately two hours. All wounds are dressed with skin-coloured surgical tape designed to be showered from day one. All sutures are dissolving. Drains are not used routinely but may be placed where needed and are removed the following day.

Most patients stay one night in hospital. Some cases are undertaken as a day case. Mr Potter injects the area with local anaesthetic during the procedure to limit post-operative pain.
Mr Potter will discuss all risks with you in detail during your consultations.
Risks associated with arm lift surgery include:
  • Scarring — scars run from the armpit to the elbow on the inner arm; initially puckered, settling to flat at around one month; in severe cases a Y-shaped scar at each end minimises the overall length; abnormal lumpy or raised scarring is rare
  • Swelling and bruising — expected; settles within a week; rarely the forearm may swell and take longer to settle; in rare cases compression garments may be needed long-term
  • Pain — Mr Potter injects the area with local anaesthetic during the procedure; oral pain relief typically needed for two days only
  • Changes in arm sensation — altered sensation around the operative site is common and should resolve with time; rarely, patients are left with areas of numbness in the forearm
  • Infection or wound breakdown — uncommon
  • Bleeding / haematoma — rare; drains may be placed if the operative site is particularly oozy
  • Asymmetry — pre-existing asymmetry between the arms is common and likely to persist to some degree after surgery
  • Fat necrosis — rare; may cause lumps or an oily discharge; managed with dressings or massage
  • Over / under resection — Mr Potter errs toward under-resection; more straightforwardly corrected than over-resection
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery

What Patients Say

Thanks and appreciation for all the care and interest from you.
I would like you to know how much I appreciated the exemplary care I received during my stay.
Please accept our gratitude to you. We acknowledge the hard work and commitment you put into being the best you can be at your work.
I and my family much appreciate your skill and care during and after my surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is brachioplasty?

Brachioplasty — commonly called an arm lift — removes excess skin and fat from the inner upper arm, from the armpit to the elbow. It is most commonly sought by patients who have experienced significant weight loss or whose skin has lost elasticity with age.

Yes — brachioplasty produces a permanent scar running along the inner arm from the armpit to the elbow. The scar is placed on the inside of the arm to minimise visibility. It is initially puckered, settling to flat at around one month. Mr Potter will discuss what to expect during consultation.

Yes — where fat excess is also present, liposuction is performed alongside excision to produce a more complete result. Mr Potter will advise on the most appropriate approach for your anatomy.

Most patients return to office-based work within two weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for six weeks. Mr Potter reviews you at seven days, three weeks, and three months.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.