Is An Arm Lift Painful?

An arm lift at the practice of Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin in New York City, NY, can be mildly painful after the surgery and for the following few days. During the surgery, you will not experience any pain, as you will be asleep under anesthesia. You will experience some pain, discomfort, soreness, bruising, and swelling as the anesthesia wears off. This is normal and tolerable, especially when you take the prescribed medication. Mobility will be limited due to restrictions on arm movement. Overall, patients report recovery from an arm lift as less painful than expected, likely because the surgery targets the skin and fat rather than the muscles. Individuals have varying degrees of pain tolerance, and you should consult Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin about your pain tolerance if it’s generally lower than normal.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

The number of appointments for an arm lift procedure varies from patient to patient. Those with longer incisions and those who combine it with arm liposuction will need more follow-up appointments. In general, you will have follow-up appointments with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin to check on your recovery and healing, including pain levels, suture removal, and drain removal (if applicable). Most patients have 4 to 6 appointments over a year, with potential follow-up appointments after 3 to 5 years to monitor longevity.

How Long Until I See Results?

You will notice immediate results of slimmer, more toned arms after your arm lift surgery in New York City, NY, with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin. The results will continue to take shape and show significant improvement over 2 to 3 weeks, as swelling, bruising, and soreness resolve and scars mature. You’ll notice the results near 90% completion at around 6 months, with the arms appearing significantly more toned and contoured. It may take another month or two to see the final results, but scarring will still be present for 1 to 2 years. All results will be achieved in a timely manner when patients adhere to the instructions given by their plastic surgeon.

Can I Combine an Arm Lift With Other Procedures?

Combining an arm lift with other procedures can significantly enhance results for many patients and help achieve their aesthetic goals. An arm lift is often combined with arm liposuction to make it easier to lift and sculpt the skin during the procedure. When you combine an arm lift with one or more other procedures, you can save money, require only one recovery period rather than multiple, and get faster results. Consult Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin to see if combining is the most effective result for you.

What Are the Risks Associated With an Arm Lift?

Like any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with an arm lift. Some of those risks include: Infection Bleeding Anesthesia issues Blood clots Nerve, blood vessel, and muscle damage Fat necrosis Seroma Numbness Persistent pain Revisional surgery Extensive scarring Sensory changes Asymmetry These risks are always fully disclosed by Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin before surgery, and consent must be obtained to proceed with treatment. If you are unsure about the treatment or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Arm Lift

New York, NY

Introduction to Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

As we age, we lose skin elasticity, making it appear flabby and loose. Even though we can’t stay young forever, there are many procedures that help us look and feel that way. If you’re looking to get firmer arms and get a younger contour, an arm lift (brachioplasty) may be a good treatment for you. This surgical procedure thins and reshapes the area between your elbow and shoulder to remove excess fat deposits and skin. Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin are excited to help you feel confident, proud, and comfortable in your body.

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What is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift is a surgical procedure performed to get rid of excess sagging skin and fat from the upper arms, also known as “bat wings,” and reshapes them to appear smoother, smaller, and more toned. During the procedure, patients receive incisions on or inside the back of their upper arm, which involve removing excess tissue, tightening the remaining skin, and repositioning it to achieve a more contoured appearance. The procedure is often performed after significant weight loss, aging, or pregnancy, resulting in improved appearance and increased confidence in patients.

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Arm Liposuction

Though an arm liposuction is a different procedure, it’s often paired with arm lifts to achieve the best results. During an arm liposuction, Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin will use a cannula to dislodge, suction, and remove excess fat from your arms, slimming them and highlighting your underlying muscles. This makes it easier to lift the sagging skin to be sculpted, toned, and contoured during the arm lift. This procedure is best for people with good skin elasticity who want to remove fat deposits.

What Are the Benefits of an Arm Lift?

There are numerous reasons to receive an arm lift in New York City, NY, that benefit your aesthetic confidence. Some of the benefits include:

Smoother, toned arms: Removal of excess fat and droopy skin results in firmer arms.
Improvement exercise can’t fix: Though exercise is still very important for overall health, arm lifts address sagging skin that diet and exercise can’t.
Fit clothing better: More toned arms let you fit into tighter clothing with greater comfort and reduced irritation.
Self-esteem: Appearing more youthful can boost self-confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your skin.

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Arm Lift?

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Arm Lift?
The best candidates for an arm lift in New York City, NY, are people who have drooping or sagging upper arms, similar to a hanging flap of skin when you raise your arms. Many patients who receive an arm lift have increased elasticity that has occurred with age, have lost significant weight with or without obesity surgery or use GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic®, or have adopted a healthy lifestyle, or have some genetic factors that make their skin sag. Additionally, the best candidates are not significantly overweight or plan to lose significant weight, do not have medical conditions that affect healing or the likelihood of complications, are non-smokers, and have realistic expectations for the procedure.

Your Arm Lift Surgery journey

What’s the First Step?

Before receiving an arm lift with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin in New York City, NY, you must attend a consultation at their practice. During the consultation, you’ll discuss your goals, medical history, lifestyle, the condition of the area of skin you wish to target, and, overall, determine whether you’re healthy enough for the procedure.

Once you’re confirmed to proceed with the actual surgery, you will be given a customized surgical plan and pre-operative and post-operative instructions. You should quit smoking and any medications that would affect the procedure.

What to Expect on the Day of Arm Lift Surgery

On the day of your arm lift surgery at Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin’s practice in New York City, NY, you’ll go over what the surgery and post-surgery entail and ask questions before starting the procedure. The procedure begins with pre-surgery markings using sterile, surgical-grade skin markers on the areas where incisions will be made on your arms. Then, you’ll be given general anesthesia to ensure you’re asleep throughout the entire procedure. After you’re asleep, the surgery will begin, including the incisions, fat removal, arm liposuction if necessary, and stitches. The surgery typically takes around 1 to 4 hours.

After the surgical procedure is complete, you’ll be wrapped in dressings, pads, and compression bandages to control swelling. Once it’s safe for you to be discharged, you will be able to leave the office. A reliable friend or family member must take you, as it can be dangerous to take care of yourself immediately after the surgery.

Your guide to post-Arm Lift Surgery care

Arm Lift Recovery

It’s vital to take proper care of your body when recovering from your arm lift surgery with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin in New York City, NY. Over the first few days following your surgery, expect moderate pain, swelling, and bruising. Here are some steps you should take:

Make sure to take your prescribed medication to reduce pain and ease your discomfort.
You may resume regular motions, but avoid strenuous activity and raising your arms.
Wear your compression bandages at all times except when showering; during showers, wear waterproof dressings on the incisions, then put your compression bandages on afterward.
Avoid driving for at least 24 hours after anesthesia and up to 10 days if you are taking grogginess-inducing pain medication.
First, for the first two weeks, elevate your arms on pillows while sleeping.
Avoid hot tubs, baths, and swimming for 1 to 4 weeks until your incisions have healed and you receive permission.
You may return to strenuous exercise for at least 3 to 4 months.

What Our Patients Are Saying

“Wonderful!”

Words cannot describe how grateful I am for meeting Dr. Michelle Copeland and Dr. Libby Copeland-Halperin. They take the time to listen and make their patients feel valued and respected. I felt genuinely cared for, before, during, and after surgery, which provided excellent results.
By the way, the staff is also wonderful.

How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost in New York City, NY?

The cost of an Arm Lift in New York City depends on several factors. Potential candidates should be aware of the following when considering treatment:

Health insurance plans generally don’t cover arm lift surgeries or complications, but many plastic surgeons offer financing plans.

It’s best to consult Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin during your consultation to get an accurate quote.

Why Choose Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin?

There are many plastic surgeons in New York City, NY, and beyond, but Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin are different. The mother-daughter plastic surgery team boosts your confidence and makes you happier through surgical and nonsurgical procedures while paying you respect and attention as if you were part of the family.

Not only are they affiliated with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), but Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin work with clients from across the globe, including Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. They answer any and all questions regarding options, costs, recovery, and surgery to make you feel comfortable and confident in their ability. Their hands-on, holistic approach to patient care encourages them to get to know patients and tailor treatments to each patient.

Arm Lift FAQs FAQs

An arm lift at the practice of Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin in New York City, NY, can be mildly painful after the surgery and for the following few days. During the surgery, you will not experience any pain, as you will be asleep under anesthesia. You will experience some pain, discomfort, soreness, bruising, and swelling as the anesthesia wears off. This is normal and tolerable, especially when you take the prescribed medication. Mobility will be limited due to restrictions on arm movement.

Overall, patients report recovery from an arm lift as less painful than expected, likely because the surgery targets the skin and fat rather than the muscles. Individuals have varying degrees of pain tolerance, and you should consult Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin about your pain tolerance if it’s generally lower than normal.
The number of appointments for an arm lift procedure varies from patient to patient. Those with longer incisions and those who combine it with arm liposuction will need more follow-up appointments. In general, you will have follow-up appointments with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin to check on your recovery and healing, including pain levels, suture removal, and drain removal (if applicable). Most patients have 4 to 6 appointments over a year, with potential follow-up appointments after 3 to 5 years to monitor longevity.
You will notice immediate results of slimmer, more toned arms after your arm lift surgery in New York City, NY, with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin. The results will continue to take shape and show significant improvement over 2 to 3 weeks, as swelling, bruising, and soreness resolve and scars mature.

You’ll notice the results near 90% completion at around 6 months, with the arms appearing significantly more toned and contoured. It may take another month or two to see the final results, but scarring will still be present for 1 to 2 years. All results will be achieved in a timely manner when patients adhere to the instructions given by their plastic surgeon.
Combining an arm lift with other procedures can significantly enhance results for many patients and help achieve their aesthetic goals. An arm lift is often combined with arm liposuction to make it easier to lift and sculpt the skin during the procedure. When you combine an arm lift with one or more other procedures, you can save money, require only one recovery period rather than multiple, and get faster results. Consult Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin to see if combining is the most effective result for you.
Like any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with an arm lift. Some of those risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Anesthesia issues
- Blood clots
- Nerve, blood vessel, and muscle damage
- Fat necrosis
- Seroma
- Numbness
- Persistent pain
- Revisional surgery
- Extensive scarring
- Sensory changes
- Asymmetry
These risks are always fully disclosed by Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin before surgery, and consent must be obtained to proceed with treatment. If you are unsure about the treatment or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Schedule Your Consultation

After deciding to inquire about an arm lift, scheduling your consultation with Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin in New York City, NY, is the first step toward the procedure. During your consultation, you’ll cover everything you will need to know about getting an arm lift, including medical history, aesthetic goals, a physical examination to assess your skin elasticity, fat and incision placement, surgery overview, risks, and pre- and post-treatment instructions. When Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland-Halperin determine that you are a good candidate for an arm lift, they will provide a customized treatment plan and explain the cost of everything.