Many patients considering arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) assume there is only one version of it. In reality, there are multiple techniques available, each designed for varying degrees of loose skin and tissue laxity. Understanding the differences before your consultation can help you feel more confident about your options.
Arm Lift Surgery in North Shore
At Aesthetic Plastic Surgery North Shore, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anoush Hadaegh offers mini, traditional, and extended arm lift procedures for patients from throughout the North Shore, Beverly, the greater Boston area, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine. He will evaluate your anatomy, skin quality, and goals during a comprehensive consultation to determine which approach is most likely to produce a smoother, more balanced upper arm contour.
How Does a Traditional Arm Lift Work?
A standard arm lift is the most common option for patients with moderate to significant loose skin along the upper arms. This is often the result of substantial weight loss, the natural aging process, or a combination of factors that leave the skin unable to tighten on its own.
During surgery, Dr. Hadaegh makes an incision along the inside or back of the upper arm, extending from the underarm toward the elbow. Through this incision, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues are tightened, and liposuction may also be performed if localized fat is contributing to the overall fullness of the arm.
How Is a Mini Arm Lift Different?
Not every patient requires a full-length incision. A mini arm lift is intended for individuals with more mild skin laxity concentrated near the upper portion of the arm, close to the armpit. These patients are bothered by a small amount of loose skin when raising their arms but do not have excess tissue extending down toward the elbow.
Here, Dr. Hadaegh uses a shorter incision hidden within the natural crease of the underarm. While it cannot address extensive skin laxity, a mini arm lift can noticeably improve upper arm definition in appropriately selected patients while limiting the amount of surgery required. For some individuals, arm liposuction may also be combined with the procedure to further refine the area.
What About the Extended Arm Lift?
For patients who have experienced massive weight loss, excess skin is not always limited to the upper arm. In many cases, the loose tissue continues through the armpit and onto the side of the chest, making a traditional arm lift alone insufficient.
An extended arm lift expands the treatment area by carrying the incision beyond the underarm and along the lateral chest. This allows Dr. Hadaegh to remove additional excess skin while improving the transition between the upper arm and torso.
Let Dr. Hadaegh Help You Decide
Choosing between a mini, traditional, or extended arm lift isn’t about selecting the newest or least invasive procedure — it’s about choosing the one that best matches your anatomy. Schedule a consultation at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery North Shore to meet with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anoush Hadaegh and learn which arm lift technique is the right fit for your body and your goals.
