Arm Lift Surgery: Brachioplasty in Turkey
The upper arms are one of the areas most resistant to improvement through exercise and weight loss alone. For patients who have lost significant weight — whether through bariatric surgery or diet and exercise — or who have experienced age-related loss of skin elasticity, excess skin and fat in the upper arms can be a source of significant self-consciousness. Brachioplasty (arm lift surgery) removes this excess tissue, creating a firmer, more defined arm contour.
Who Is a Candidate?
Brachioplasty is appropriate for patients with excess skin on the inner upper arm that has not responded to exercise, those who have experienced significant weight loss, and patients with age-related skin laxity in this area. The best candidates are at or near their goal weight and have stable weight for at least six months. Patients with significant active skin conditions in the arm area should have these treated before surgery.
The Procedure
The incision for standard brachioplasty runs from the axilla (armpit) to just above the elbow along the inner surface of the upper arm. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is tightened and sutured. The resulting scar lies along the inner arm and is minimally visible when the arm is in a natural position. For patients with mild laxity confined to the axillary area, a limited-incision brachioplasty with a scar only in the armpit is possible.
Liposuction is frequently combined with brachioplasty to reduce fat volume before skin tightening, improving the overall contour. In patients with good skin elasticity and primarily fatty fullness without significant laxity, liposuction alone may be sufficient.
Recovery
Compression garments are worn for four to six weeks. Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks. Driving and overhead activities should be avoided for two to three weeks. Full recovery takes six to eight weeks. Scar maturation continues for twelve to eighteen months.
Combining with Other Procedures
Brachioplasty is frequently combined with other body contouring procedures — tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift — as part of a post-weight-loss body contouring programme. Combining procedures reduces overall recovery time and total cost. Turkey’s plastic surgeons are experienced in planning and executing multi-procedure body contouring sessions.
Costs
Brachioplasty in Western Europe costs €4,000 to €8,000. In Turkey at an accredited plastic surgery clinic, the procedure costs €2,000 to €4,500 all-inclusive. Find a verified plastic surgeon at drvisor.com.