Brachioplasty, commonly referred to as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and tissue from the upper arm. It is most frequently considered by patients who have experienced significant weight loss or by those whose skin laxity has developed as a result of ageing. Understanding what the assessment and planning process involves can help patients arrive at a consultation better informed.
What Is Brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin and soft tissue along the inner and posterior upper arm, from the axilla (armpit) to the elbow. It is performed under general anaesthetic and involves an incision placed along the inner arm, the extent of which depends on the amount of tissue requiring removal. The aim of surgery is to reduce excess skin and improve the contour of the upper arm, though a permanent linear scar is an inherent part of the operation.
Who Is Typically Assessed for Brachioplasty?
The most common patient profile for brachioplasty includes individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery, as well as those who have achieved substantial weight loss through sustained dietary and exercise changes. After significant weight reduction, the skin of the upper arm frequently loses the elasticity needed to retract fully. This can result in an excess fold of skin that droops along the inner arm.
Age-related skin laxity is another reason patients seek assessment. Over time, the structural proteins in skin, particularly collagen and elastin, diminish. When this process occurs in the upper arm, the skin may become loose even in the absence of major weight changes.
Patients considering body contouring after weight loss often enquire about brachioplasty as part of a broader conversation about which areas of the body are affected by post-weight-loss skin excess. It is common for the upper arms, abdomen, thighs, and breasts to all be involved, and patients may discuss multiple procedures across separate surgical episodes.
Dr Mark Hanikeri FRACS (PLAS) sees patients to discuss brachioplasty at the Western Australian Plastic Surgery Centre in Perth. At consultation, each patient’s anatomy is assessed individually, and the conversation focuses on what surgery can and cannot achieve, as well as the realistic nature of the recovery and the permanent scar that accompanies the procedure.
Factors Assessed During the Brachioplasty Consultation
Several clinical factors influence whether brachioplasty is appropriate for a given patient and how the surgical plan should be structured. No single threshold determines suitability, and assessment is individualised.
Degree of skin excess and tissue distribution
The amount of redundant skin along the upper arm is a primary consideration. Patients with a small fold of mild laxity may present differently to those with significant hanging tissue extending from the axilla toward the elbow. The extent of the excess informs the planned incision length and the likely appearance of the resulting scar.
Skin quality and elasticity
Patients with reasonable residual skin elasticity may respond differently to those whose skin has been heavily stretched. Elasticity is assessed during the consultation, and its assessment helps guide the surgical planning process and discussion about expected outcomes.
Weight stability
Dr Hanikeri generally recommends that patients have maintained a stable weight for at least three to six months prior to considering surgery. Weight fluctuations after brachioplasty can affect the surgical outcome and may influence how long the results are maintained. Patients who are still actively losing weight are generally advised to allow their weight to stabilise before proceeding.
General health and fitness for surgery
As with any procedure performed under general anaesthetic, a patient’s overall health is assessed. Factors including cardiovascular health, any history of blood clotting disorders, current medications, smoking status, and nutritional status following bariatric surgery are all relevant. Nutritional deficiencies, which are common in patients who have undergone gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, can impair wound healing and may need to be addressed before surgery is appropriate.
Realistic expectations
Brachioplasty produces a permanent scar along the inner arm, typically running from the armpit to the elbow. The scar is an unavoidable aspect of the procedure, and scar management strategies are discussed at consultation. Patients who have difficulty accepting this trade-off are encouraged to consider whether the procedure is appropriate for their circumstances. Surgery cannot address all concerns, and the consultation is intended to provide an accurate picture of what is achievable.
The Surgical Planning Process
Once suitability has been established, the surgical planning process involves several practical steps. A pre-operative assessment is conducted to evaluate general health and to arrange any investigations required prior to a general anaesthetic. The planned incision placement is discussed and marked in clinic, giving patients a clear sense of where the scar will sit.
The procedure itself is performed under general anaesthetic. During surgery, excess skin and underlying tissue are excised and the incision is closed in layers. Drains may be placed depending on the extent of the resection, and a compression garment is typically worn during the recovery period.
Recovery involves a period of restricted upper arm activity, and many patients are advised to take one to two weeks away from work, depending on the physical demands of their occupation. Swelling, bruising, and temporary changes in sensation along the inner arm are expected in the weeks following surgery. Full resolution of swelling can take several months.
The risks associated with brachioplasty include permanent scarring, asymmetry between the two arms, infection, seroma (a collection of fluid beneath the skin), wound healing complications, and changes in skin sensation. These risks are discussed in detail at consultation, and patients are encouraged to ask questions before making any decision.
Medicare and Cost Considerations for Brachioplasty in Perth
The cost of brachioplasty varies depending on whether the procedure is performed for cosmetic or medically indicated reasons, as well as your individual treatment requirements.
For cosmetic brachioplasty, fees start from approximately $17,500 AUD (inclusive of GST). This estimate includes the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and theatre fees. A personalised quotation will be provided following your consultation, as costs may vary depending on the complexity of your procedure.
Where brachioplasty is medically indicated, such as following significant weight loss resulting in excess upper arm skin, Medicare benefits may be available for eligible patients who meet the relevant Medicare (MBS) eligibility criteria. Fees start from approximately $11,500 AUD for the surgeon and anaesthetist. If you hold an appropriate level of private health insurance and meet the eligibility requirements, your hospital fees may be covered by your insurer. Medicare eligibility is assessed on an individual basis and is not guaranteed.
Patients considering medically indicated brachioplasty are encouraged to contact their private health insurer before consultation to understand their level of cover and any applicable out-of-pocket costs.
Specific fee information and Medicare eligibility will be discussed during your consultation once your treatment plan has been determined.
Brachioplasty as Part of Broader Post-Weight-Loss Body Contouring
For many patients, the upper arms are one of several areas affected by post-weight-loss skin excess. The abdomen, inner thighs, breasts, and back can all be involved, and patients frequently enquire about whether multiple procedures can be addressed in a single surgical episode or whether a staged approach is more appropriate.
The planning of post-weight-loss body contouring surgery requires careful consideration of surgical time, blood loss, recovery demands, and the patient’s nutritional status. Extensive combined procedures carry a higher cumulative risk than individual procedures, and the appropriate approach is discussed at consultation on a case-by-case basis.
Dr Hanikeri assesses each patient’s priorities and anatomy to determine which combination of procedures, if any, is appropriate to consider at the one time. Patients interested in broader body contouring are encouraged to raise all areas of concern at the initial consultation so that a clear planning framework can be established.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify for brachioplasty?
Suitability for brachioplasty is assessed at consultation and depends on several individual factors. These include the amount of excess skin and tissue present, the quality and elasticity of the skin, how long the patient’s weight has been stable, their general health, and whether they have realistic expectations of the procedure and its associated scarring. There is no single universal threshold for eligibility, and assessment is conducted on an individual basis.
How much does an arm lift cost in Perth?
The cost of brachioplasty depends on whether the procedure is performed for cosmetic or medically indicated reasons, as well as your individual treatment requirements. Cosmetic brachioplasty fees start from approximately $17,500 AUD (inclusive of GST) and include the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital and theatre fees. Where the procedure is medically indicated and the patient meets the relevant Medicare and private health insurance requirements, fees start from approximately $11,500 AUD for the surgeon and anaesthetist. A personalised quotation will be provided following consultation.
Is there an alternative to brachioplasty?
For patients with mild skin laxity and good residual skin elasticity, non-surgical options may be discussed at consultation. However, non-surgical treatments are generally less effective than surgery for significant skin excess and do not address the underlying structural looseness in the same way that surgical excision does. The most appropriate option for any individual is determined by a physical assessment of the anatomy at consultation, and no recommendation can be made without an in-person evaluation.
Can I get a Medicare rebate for brachioplasty?
Medicare benefits may be available for eligible patients where excess upper arm skin is associated with documented clinical concerns, such as chronic skin irritation, recurrent skin infections or functional impairment. Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis and is not guaranteed. Patients who believe they may meet the criteria are encouraged to discuss this during their consultation.
Further Reading
- Brachioplasty Perth: https://markhanikeri.com/brachioplasty/
| Written by Dr Mark Hanikeri – Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Perth WA. Dr Hanikeri holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has practised in Perth for over two decades. Consultations are conducted at accredited facilities in Subiaco and Murdoch. |
