Arm Lift
in Toronto
A More Defined Silhouette
After weight loss or as you get older, the skin on your upper arms can become loose and may not tighten up, even with regular exercise. You might see it hanging when you lift your arms or bunching up in your sleeves. At FORM Face + Body, a Toronto plastic surgery practice, an arm lift can remove this extra skin and sometimes fat, giving your arms a smoother look. We’ll walk you through what the surgery can do and show you where the scar will be.
If you’re not sure whether surgery or liposuction is right for you, we can help you understand your options during a consultation.
Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty)
Loose upper-arm skin, sometimes with excess fat
General anaesthesia
Usually one operation, an overnight stay may be needed
Around 1–2 weeks initially, with longer lifting restrictions
Usually along the inner arm, length varies
$12,000 to $16,000 CAD, plus applicable HST
The Art of a Smoother Contour
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the underside of your upper arms, usually between the armpit and elbow. The surgeon may also remove extra fat and reshape the tissue underneath before closing the skin. This procedure is especially helpful after major weight loss, when your skin hasn’t tightened up. While exercise can build muscle, it can’t get rid of extra, hanging skin.
A New Sense of Proportion
Depending on the amount of skin and fat present, brachioplasty may:
When the Timing Is Right
You might be a good candidate for an arm lift if your main concern is loose skin, you’re in good health, and your weight is steady. We’ll look at how much your skin hangs, how much fat is underneath, and any past surgeries. If you’re still losing a lot of weight, it may be best to wait. Smoking and some health conditions can affect healing, so we’ll talk about those risks. It’s also important to know that the scar from surgery will be permanent.
The Right Degree of Correction
This option removes loose skin along most of the upper arm. The incision is usually placed along the inner arm, starting at the armpit and going toward the elbow. It provides more correction but also results in a longer scar.
If extra skin is only near the armpit, a shorter incision in that area may be enough. This means a smaller scar, but also less correction. If the skin hangs closer to the elbow, a longer incision is usually needed.
After significant weight loss, loose skin can extend past the armpit and onto the side of the chest. An extended arm lift can treat both areas. We’ll show you exactly where the longer incision would be.
If you have both extra fat and loose skin, liposuction can help shape your arms. If your skin is still firm, liposuction alone might work. But if the skin is already loose, removing fat can sometimes make the looseness more obvious.
Considered from Every Angle
During your Toronto arm lift consultation, we’ll look at your arms both raised and relaxed to see where the skin gathers. Your surgeon will check the fat underneath and show you where the incision would likely be. We’ll talk about what a shorter incision could do, how recovery might affect your daily life, and if other options make sense. This way, you’ll know what kind of scar to expect and what results are possible.
Healing at Your Own Pace
After their arm lift Toronto patients can expect swelling, bruising, tightness, and soreness at first. We’ll encourage you to walk and move gently, but you should avoid anything that puts strain on your incisions. We might suggest wearing a compression garment to help with swelling, and we’ll give you clear instructions on how to support your arms and care for your dressings.
Most people can go back to desk work in one to two weeks, but physical jobs usually need more time off. You’ll need to wait on heavy lifting and exercise until your surgeon says your incisions are healing well. How long recovery takes also depends on how much skin was removed and if you had other procedures at the same time.
A New Contour Takes Shape
Our Toronto arm lift patients notice a new shape to their arms soon after surgery, though swelling might hide some of the changes at first. The final contour becomes clearer over the next few months. Your results depend on how much skin was removed and whether liposuction was done. You’ll see the difference in your arm shape well before the scars have faded.
Once the extra skin is removed, it won’t come back, so your arm lift results can last for years. Your arms will still change as you age, and big changes in weight can stretch the skin again. Keeping a steady weight and a healthy lifestyle will help you keep your new shape.
Choosing the Right Approach
Liposuction takes away fat, but it depends on your skin tightening around your slimmer arm. If your skin already hangs in folds, just removing fat can make the looseness stand out more. Non-surgical skin tightening can help a little if your skin is only mildly loose, but it can’t get rid of a lot of extra skin.
Looking at the Whole Picture
After losing a lot of weight, you might have loose skin on your back, chest, stomach, or thighs too. An arm lift can sometimes be done along with other body contouring surgeries, like a bra line lift. Longer surgeries can mean a tougher recovery, so we’ll look at your health and how much surgery you need before suggesting a combined or staged approach.
Understanding Your Investment
At FORM Face + Body, an arm lift costs about $12,000 to $16,000 CAD, plus HST. The price depends on how much skin is removed and whether you need liposuction, a chest extension, or other procedures. We’ll give you a detailed quote after we examine your arms and suggest the best plan, and we can walk you through financing options.
Surgical Experience, Considered Care
Our Toronto team features Dr. Ron Somogyi, who has experience with body contouring after weight loss, and Dr. Cory Goldberg. You can see their arm lift results in our gallery, including more complex cases. We’ll discuss where scars will be, what smaller procedures can and can’t do, and what to expect during recovery. Every surgery at FORM includes PeriOptimization Essential, our two month program to prepare you for surgery and support your recovery.
Find the Right Starting Point
During your arm lift consultation, we’ll check your skin and fat and explain what surgery can help with. You’ll see where the incision might be, learn how recovery could affect your work and exercise, and compare options like liposuction. We’ll go over risks and costs before you make any decisions. After you request a consultation, a Patient Coordinator will reach out to confirm your appointment details.
Exercise can strengthen muscle, but it can't remove stretched skin. If fat is the main issue and the skin is firm, other treatments may be suitable.
Sometimes, when extra skin is limited to the area near the armpit. A longer fold generally needs a longer incision.
Yes. A traditional arm lift leaves a permanent inner-arm scar that usually extends toward the elbow. Scars tend to soften over time.
Many patients plan for one to two weeks away from desk work. Physical jobs often require longer.
Gentle movement begins early, but avoid activities that strain the incisions. Resume lifting and exercise when your surgeon clears you.
Yes, if your weight is stable and you're medically ready for surgery. Tell us about any weight-loss medications you're taking.
Cosmetic brachioplasty is generally not covered. Medical coverage, where applicable, depends on eligibility and your circumstances.
Sometimes. Your health, total operating time, and recovery requirements determine whether combining procedures makes sense.
