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Newport Beach board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph T. Cruise is one of the top surgeons in the area who performs cosmetic surgery on patients’ bodies as well as their faces.
Many people who have lost a significant amount of weight are interested in body procedures such as liposuction and tummy tuck, which can help them deal with sagging, loose skin left over after the weight loss. These patients are often interested in tightening up the skin on their arms and upper body as well, and often have questions about arm lift, also known as “brachioplasty”.
One way to determine if the arm lift procedure is right for you is to view before and after pictures to see patients’ results. Because he believes that every patient deserves high-quality information in order to make their decision, Joseph T Cruise, MD, has developed these pages to provide the best arm lift resource in Orange County.
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An arm lift (also known as a brachioplasty) is a cosmetic surgical procedure that addresses loose sagging skin and excess fat in the triceps area of the upper arm. An arm lift candidate has typically lost a significant amount of weight or is experiencing issues as part of the aging process.
The brachioplasty procedure involves removing loose, sagging skin from the triceps area of the upper arm. The typical arm lift patient is someone who has lost a significant amount of weight and is left with excess skin that does not shrink to fit the new muscle and fat structures underneath. Some other arm lift patients are people whose skin has overstretched over time as it has lost elasticity, and the upper arm has become sagging and unsightly without weight loss. The loss of support from underlying fat and muscle in the arm that occurs with aging often contributes to saggy upper arms, and Joseph T Cruise, MD performs brachioplasty technique that addresses these issues and provides long-term results.
In addition to cosmetic surgery procedures that address the shape of a person’s chest, abdominal area, and lower body after weight loss, the excess skin remaining on the upper body can be removed with Joseph T Cruise, MD’s simple, two-part procedure. Joseph T Cruise, MD’s arm lift technique involves both a removal of the excess skin along the upper arm and in the armpit, as well as a re-suspension of underlying tissues that have lost elasticity. The two-part plastic surgery ensures that the issues that contributed to the sagging upper arms will be reversed, and the skin on the patient’s arms will not begin to sag again after the arm lift. Both parts of the surgery are performed at the same time, to minimize discomfort and recovery time for the patient.
Anyone considering an arm lift should be aware that most patients experience a lasting scar after the surgery. The incision scar runs along the underside of the upper arm and can often be hidden under clothing, but may be visible at times. There are cosmetic surgery procedures that can be performed to reduce scarring, as well as prescription and over-the-counter products to counteract a noticeable appearance, but patients considering brachioplasty should be aware that scarring is likely to occur.
Before your consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD in his Newport Beach office, browse the gallery of before and after arm lift pictures to see real patients’ results and brachioplasty scars. You may want to consider how removal of sagging, excess skin will benefit you and weigh that against the feelings you have about permanent scarring. Discuss these concerns with Joseph T Cruise, MD at your consultation in order to make the right plastic surgery decision for you.
Brachioplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. The location and length of the incision depend on how much excess skin needs to be removed. For patients with mild sagging, a limited incision may be hidden in the armpit. For more significant skin laxity, an extended incision along the inner upper arm may be necessary.
Dr. Cruise removes excess skin, sculpts underlying fat if needed, and carefully closes the incision to minimize tension and promote optimal healing. The procedure generally takes 2–3 hours, and you’ll return home the same day with a compression garment and detailed aftercare instructions.
Joseph T Cruise, MD works with only Orange County board-certified anesthesiologists to make sure you have the best anesthesia experience. Based on your medical history, the extent of the arm lift procedure, and your personal preferences, you and the anesthesiologist will determine the best anesthesiology plan. Generally, patients are under general anesthesia for their brachioplasty. However, it can be performed under a combination of local anesthetics and sedation, depending on the extent of the surgery.
For me, the most important aspect of brachioplasty is finding out exactly what a patient’s expectations are. Arm lift is an excellent operation to remove excess skin. However, it is not the best procedure option when a person has a significant amount of subcutaneous fat.
If a patient plans to lose more weight in the future, it may be appropriate to wait to perform any plastic surgery until that time. In fact, the arm lift becomes much easier after a person loses all their planned weight, not while they are still reaching that goal. The arm lift, itself, does not function as a weight loss procedure; it is only designed and performed to remove excess, sagging skin from the upper arms. If you are concerned that your upper arms contain subcutaneous fat that you would like removed, a combination of weight loss and liposuction may be right for you.
Patients with a significant amount of loose, hanging skin on the upper arm often report a number of benefits from their arm lift, including:
People who have worked hard to lose weight and who are then left with loose, sagging skin have many cosmetic surgery options to remove excess skin from various places on their body. The upper arm is one area that is often overlooked, but its excess skin will never shrink. If you want to tighten the skin on your upper arms to best complement your lower-weight, better-proportioned body, consider how an arm lift will benefit you and your life.
People who have a significant amount of loose skin on their upper arm, without a great deal of subcutaneous fat, are the best candidates for arm lift surgery. Often, these are patients who have recently lost a large amount of weight and whose skin has not shrunk down to a new, smaller size.
Other arm lift patients are people whose skin has been affected by aging, and over time, they have developed sagging upper arms with skin that hangs from the underlying muscle and fat structures. You can check the underlying structure of your arm to see if an arm lift will address your concerns. Pinch the skin of the upper arm between your fingertips – if your fingers almost meet with only a thin amount of fat between them, you are probably a good brachioplasty candidate.
If the amount of skin and fat between your fingers prevents them from getting very close together, an arm lift may not be practical until subcutaneous fat is removed. In patients with these circumstances, Joseph T Cruise, MD, often discusses whether liposuction is an option to remove the fat before proceeding with any other cosmetic surgery procedures.
Most patients return to work approximately 1 week after the arm lift procedure. People whose work requires strenuous arm and upper body movement may decide to take additional time to heal after the surgery, and often do not return to work for 2 to 3 weeks.
During your recovery time, you will attend post-surgery follow-up appointments at the Cruise Plastic Surgery office in Orange County. During those visits, be sure to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with Joseph T Cruise, MD, or another member of the staff. They will also discuss with you how to minimize the appearance of scarring that often occurs after brachioplasty, and assess the state of your incisions and how they are healing. It is very important that patients attend these appointments, so that Joseph T Cruise, MD, can ensure the best results and help you prevent any complications.
The procedure will take approximately 2-3 hours.
Joseph T Cruise’s patients rarely experience complications after their brachioplasty surgery, and Cruise Plastic Surgery encourages patients to call if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Please call the Orange County Cruise Plastic Surgery office during regular business hours: 949-644-4808.
After hours, page Joseph T Cruise, MD: 714-304-8050.
Initial improvements can often be seen once swelling begins to subside, typically within 2-3 weeks. Final results continue to refine over several months as the tissues settle.
Results are long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. While the natural aging process will continue, the improvements from an arm lift can last for many years.
Choosing Dr. Joseph Cruise for your arm lift means entrusting your care to one of Newport Beach’s most experienced and respected plastic surgeons.
Dr. Cruise is known for his integrity, expertise, and commitment to creating natural-looking, elegant results tailored to each individual. With options for local anesthesia in suitable cases and a practice culture focused on safety and honesty, Cruise Plastic Surgery provides an elevated, patient-first experience.
Arm lifts usually leave scars along the inside of the upper arm. However, these scars will fade over time. Skilled surgeons aim to place them as discreetly as possible.
Arm lift scars typically run along the inner arm from the armpit to the elbow. They fade over time but are permanent; however, they can be strategically placed to minimize visibility.
Unlike non-surgical options, an arm lift offers a more significant and permanent solution to excess skin and tissue. Non-surgical treatments might improve skin texture but will not remove sagging skin.
Risks include infection, scarring, bleeding, and changes in skin sensation. Choosing a skilled surgeon and following all care instructions can significantly reduce these risks.
The most common complication that results after brachioplasty is an incision scar on the inside of the upper arm area, which is often hidden under clothing but can be noticeable in certain outfits. As with any surgery that requires an incision, there is a risk of infection, which can make scarring worse.
Rarely, some patients experience contour defects, blood or fluid collection, or other complications during the healing process. As an Orange County board-certified plastic surgeon Joseph T Cruise, MD has years of experience and knowledge that help him prevent these occasional complications. Joseph T Cruise, MD, also provides all patients with instructions on how to prevent and recognize healing complications. If you have concerns about these or any other risks of arm lift surgery, please discuss your questions in person with a member of the Cruise Plastic Surgery staff at your consultation.
Yes, arm lifts are often combined with other body contouring surgeries, such as a liposuction or tummy tuck, especially after major weight loss. Dr. Cruise will help you design a personalized surgical plan based on your goals.
Most patients describe the discomfort as manageable with prescribed medications. Soreness and tightness are expected initially but improve quickly with proper aftercare.
Depending on your job and the extent of your surgery, many patients return to work within 1 to 2 weeks, provided they avoid strenuous activities.
Patients interested in body sculpting, including arm lift, often have questions about its cost. An arm lift, also known as “brachioplasty,” is the process of removing excess, loose, drooping skin from a patient’s triceps area on the arm. Dr. Joseph T. Cruise of Orange County has been specializing in this procedure for years and has seen patients benefit from both the external and internal benefits of the procedure. He and his staff at Cruise Plastic Surgery believe that the cost of an arm lift is an investment in yourself, an investment in your personal happiness.
Quality vs. Value
While price may play into a patient’s decision when choosing a surgeon for their brachioplasty, it is not the only important factor. The best results are produced by plastic surgeons with extensive training and experience, those who consistently keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. Please visit our extensive gallery of arm lift before and after pictures. On average, brachioplasty cost ranges depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed and the length of surgery. During your consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD, you will discuss your concerns and desired results, and the staff of Cruise Plastic Surgery will be able to provide you with a more individualized estimate for the cost of your arm lift. Find out more about the cost of arm lift / brachioplasty financing options available through Cruise Plastic Surgery.
