Upper arm lift – For firm, contoured upper arms

Sagging skin on the upper arms – commonly known as bat wings – is an aesthetic problem for many women and men that affects everyday life. When buying clothes, playing sports, at the outdoor pool. Especially after major weight loss, after menopause, or due to the natural aging process, the skin loses elasticity. Excess tissue then hangs from the lower edge of the upper arm and cannot be permanently corrected by any cream or workout.

I am Dr. Juliane Bodo, specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Berlin-Charlottenburg. An upper arm lift—medically known as brachioplasty—provides a permanent solution here by removing excess skin and, if necessary, fatty tissue, and reshaping the upper arm contour. The procedure is individually planned by me and performed using modern, scar-sparing techniques.

When is an arm lift advisable?

An arm lift is particularly suitable if:

• the skin on the upper arms is significantly sagging and hanging
• disturbing excess skin persists after significant weight loss
• age-related loss of elasticity is present
• sport or non-invasive procedures no longer achieve sufficient improvement
• a harmonious body contouring, for example in the context of a body lift, is aimed for

How does the arm lift procedure work?

The procedure takes about 2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. A hospital stay of 1–2 nights is recommended.

The surgery begins with marking the excess skin while standing. The incision is made along the inside of the upper arm – with a shorter or longer scar depending on the findings. Excess skin is removed, combined with liposuction if necessary. Afterwards, I carefully tighten the tissue and close the wound using a fine suturing technique. I choose the incision placement so that the resulting scar is barely visible when the arm is held in a normal position.

Preparation for surgery

• Avoid nicotine at least two weeks before and after surgery – smoking significantly impairs wound healing
• Stop blood-thinning medication as agreed upon
• Stabilize body weight before surgery – severe weight fluctuations after the procedure can affect the result
• Stable health condition as a prerequisite for the procedure

Aftercare & Healing Process

• Wear compression garments day and night for at least 6 weeks
• Physical rest for the first 1–2 weeks
• No sports or heavy lifting for at least 4–6 weeks
• Scar care with silicone gel or silicone sheets from the third week
• Sun protection for the scar for several months
• Presentable in public after approx. 8 days
• Final result after 3–6 months when all swelling has subsided

I will closely support you throughout the entire aftercare—all follow-up appointments will take place in my clinic.

Risks & Potential Complications

As with any surgical procedure, I will discuss all risks with you in full:

• Swelling & bruising: Normal and subside within a few weeks
• Numbness: Temporary, usually normalizes after a few months
• Impaired wound healing: Rare – minimized through careful technique and aftercare
• Scarring: Through precise incisions on the inside of the arm and consistent scar care, the scars fade significantly over time.
• Secondary bleeding & infections: Very rare with sterile execution
• General surgical risks: thrombosis, anesthesia reactions – will be discussed during the informed consent consultation

Cost of upper arm lift in Berlin

An arm lift at my clinic starts at €6,400 plus anesthesia costs. The exact costs depend on the extent of the procedure and your individual starting situation. You will receive a transparent cost breakdown during your personal consultation.

If you suffer from sagging skin on your upper arms and would like to know if an arm lift is right for you, I invite you to a non-binding consultation at my clinic in Berlin-Charlottenburg.