Arm Lift in Los Alamitos, CA

Arm lift surgery removes hanging, loose skin below the arms resulting from extreme weight loss or simple aging, creating tauter, leaner-looking arms.

About arm lift surgery

One big challenge when getting older or losing weight is the loosening of skin. At Ocean Plastic Surgery Center, we offer upper arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) for those whose upper arms aren’t responding to natural toning methods. Excess skin from the elbow to the shoulder is very typical, particularly for people who are getting older or have lost significant amounts of weight. An upper arm lift excises this loose, hanging skin sometimes known as “bat wings.” Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Raman Mehrzad in Los Alamitos, CA is very knowledgeable in fat removal and skin tightening surgeries. If you want more information about how brachioplasty can improve the look of your upper arms, please contact us for an appointment at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center.

Patient success stories and transformations

Ideal candidates for an arm lift

An upper arm lift is a plastic surgery that uses advanced methods to contour and eliminate unwanted skin. If you are tired of hiding your “bat wings” and would prefer them to appear fit and healthy again, you are a great candidate for an arm lift. You need to be in overall good health so that your skin will recover properly. Some of the main indications for potential arm lift patients are hanging, loose skin on their upper arms, plus minimal tautness of the skin. It is critical that you are at or close to a healthy, stable weight before your surgery.

What to expect from an arm lift

A typical recovery timeframe is two weeks with lots of rest. Give your body time to heal. You use your arms for almost everything so most patients should slowly make their way back to their daily activities. If needed, a suture removal appointment will be scheduled about ten days following surgery. Compression garments must be kept on until you receive permission from Dr. Mehrzad to remove them. For at least one month, all exercise and strenuous activity must be eliminated, except frequent, short walks. If you observe uncontrolled bleeding, excessive swelling, fluid buildup (hematoma), signs of infection, numbness in the hands or arms, or unusual scarring, please contact Ocean Plastic Surgery Center.

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No matter what you call your droopy skin or “bat wings” under your upper arms, Dr. Mehrzad can improve your appearance with plastic surgery. This innovative surgery provides physical, as well as emotional benefits.

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ARM LIFT IN LOS ALAMITOS & ORANGE COUNTY, CA

Serving Los Alamitos and welcoming patients from Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, the greater Los Angeles area, and beyond.

1) What Is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

An arm lift removes hanging skin and reshapes the upper arms after weight loss, aging, or genetics leave soft tissue that exercise cannot tighten. Many patients call this “bat wings.” Surgery creates a smoother, firmer upper-arm contour from the armpit toward the elbow.

Dr. Raman Mehrzad plans each brachioplasty around the amount of skin excess and whether liposuction should refine residual fat first. Incision length is customized so the scar is as discreet as possible while still delivering a meaningful improvement.

Patients from Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, and across Orange County and Los Angeles seek arm lift surgery when clothing sleeves and raised-arm photos no longer feel comfortable.

2) Who Is a Good Candidate?

  • You have loose upper-arm skin that does not respond to strength training
  • You are at a stable weight and in good general health
  • You are a non-smoker or can stop smoking before and after surgery
  • You can accept a scar along the inner arm or in the armpit crease depending on technique
  • You have realistic expectations about swelling and scar maturation
  • You want arms that look more proportional in short sleeves and fitted clothing

3) How the Procedure Works

  1. Consultation: Skin excess, fat volume, and scar trade-offs are reviewed with arms raised and at rest.
  2. Anesthesia: General anesthesia for comfort during excision and any liposuction.
  3. Optional liposuction: Fat may be reduced to improve contour before skin removal.
  4. Excision: Excess skin is removed through an incision in the armpit, along the inner arm, or a combination pattern.
  5. Layered closure: Soft tissue is closed carefully to support a smoother cylindrical arm shape.
  6. Compression: Sleeves or wraps help control swelling during early recovery.

4) Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Swelling and tightness are expected. Keep arms elevated when resting and avoid heavy lifting.

Week 2: Many patients return to desk work. Bruising fades. Continue compression and incision care.

Month 1: Daily activity feels easier. Light exercise may resume when cleared. Begin scar care once healed.

Month 3: Arm contour looks more refined. Scars soften and lighten over the following months with sun protection.

5) Risks and What to Expect

  • A visible scar on the inner arm or within the armpit
  • Temporary swelling, bruising, and numbness
  • Delayed healing or widened scars in areas of tension
  • Asymmetry or contour irregularity
  • Rare infection, fluid collection, or need for revision

Serving patients from Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area.

6) Before and After Gallery

See before and after images on this page for arm lift results from patients in Los Alamitos and Orange County. Your scar pattern depends on how much skin must be removed to reach your goals.

7) Frequently Asked Questions

Can liposuction alone fix loose upper-arm skin?
Only if skin elasticity is excellent. Most patients with true hanging skin need excision for a lasting smoother look.

Where is the arm lift scar placed?
Limited excess may allow a shorter scar in the armpit. Greater excess usually requires an incision along the inner arm that is less visible with the arms at your sides.

When can I lift weights after an arm lift?
Upper-body training usually waits until cleared, often around four to six weeks, so healing tissues are not strained.

Frequently asked questions for an arm lift

How much does arm lift surgery cost?
The total cost for an arm lift will be based on several things. Before he can estimate your costs, Dr. Mehrzad will start with a consultation to understand your concerns and goals. Following this, he will develop your unique surgical plan and break down your costs. In order to make it easier to choose an experienced surgeon, like Dr. Mehrzad, and get the results you want, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center takes several payment types. We will also give you information on low-interest financing.
Can I combine an arm lift with other surgeries?
It's normal for patients who want an arm lift to create a custom treatment plan, including another surgery. This is often known as an upper body lift and can combine liposuction, a breast lift, or a tummy tuck. Arm lift surgery is also frequently included in an after-weight loss surgery for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and need contouring throughout their body. In your initial consultation with Dr. Mehrzad, complementary surgeries can be discussed so your personal treatment plan meets all your needs and goals.
Will there be scars?
A surgical arm lift requires incisions in order to cut away excess skin, which leads to scars from sutures. However, Dr.Mehrzad will make every effort to place the small incisions in inconspicuous areas. Following your arm lift, creams that help with healing will be suggested along with our tips for minimizing scarring. Dr. Mehrzad also suggests you limit UV exposure for at least one year to protect the scar from becoming discolored. In general, patients consider the overall benefits of an arm lift worth the minimal scars created.
What results can I expect from an arm lift?
A surgical arm lift is used to correct loose skin and small amounts of fat. You should follow a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet to avoid a dramatic change in your weight, which might undo your results. After your lift, as soon as you are recovered and Dr. Mehrzad has given permission, you should start strength training. This is a good way to improve the shape of your upper arms by strengthening and toning the muscles.
Are there nonsurgical treatments to improve my arms?
Although there are a lot of noninvasive skin tightening options, they can only give you small improvements. To correct moderate to severe skin laxity, arm lift surgery is your best choice. In addition to treating loose skin, Dr. Mehrzad also uses liposuction on small pockets of fat and smoothes the tissue and remaining skin. If you're interested in learning about nonsurgical procedures, Dr. M can tell you about them in your consultation and then help you choose what fits your goals.
Will arm lift scars fade?
Incisions are placed on the inner arm where possible. With time, silicone therapy, and sun protection, scars typically fade though they remain visible on close inspection.