What is an arm lift?
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is an operation that tightens the upper arms by removing loose skin and, where needed, excess fat. Many people know this area as bingo wings: skin that hangs below the upper arm and moves when you wave. After surgery, the arm has a smoother, slimmer contour from the armpit towards the elbow.
Skin on the upper arms can sag after major weight loss, with ageing, after long-term sun exposure, or because of genetics. Once skin has stretched, diet and exercise cannot shrink it. Although the arms are a small area, firmer arms often make the whole figure look slimmer and make clothing choices easier.
Who is it suitable for?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have loose skin on the underside of the upper arms
- Have a BMI below about 30 and a stable weight
- Have no medical condition that would slow healing or make surgery unsafe
- Are healthy enough for general anaesthesia
- Are happy to accept a scar in return for tighter skin
If you plan to lose more weight, it is usually better to wait, because weight loss after surgery can loosen the skin again.
Types of arm lift
Mini arm lift
For mild looseness close to the armpit. A short, curved incision is made only in the armpit, so the scar is well hidden. Liposuction may be added to slim the arm.
Standard arm lift
For moderate to significant loose skin along the upper arm. The incision runs along the inner side of the arm, so the scar is mostly hidden from the front and the back.
Extended arm lift
For large amounts of loose skin, often after major weight loss. The incision runs from the elbow along the arm, through the armpit and down the side of the chest, so the surgeon can tighten the arm and the upper side of the chest together.
How the procedure is done
Tests and planning
You arrive at the hospital the day before for tests and an anaesthetic check. The surgeon examines and measures your arms and may take photos for your records. With your arms held out, the skin to be removed is carefully marked so the tightening does not distort the arm shape.
The incision
Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes the incision that suits your type of lift. Liposuction may be used to reduce fat first.
Removing skin
Excess skin and fat are removed with gentle dissection to protect the nerves and blood vessels in the arm. In an extended lift, skin from the armpit and side of the chest is also removed.
Closing and dressing
The skin is closed in layers with stitches. Small drains may be placed to remove fluid, and bandages are applied to give gentle pressure. A standard arm lift usually takes about 2 to 3 hours; complex cases can take longer.
Recovery timeline
- First 48 hours
Your arms feel tight and sore and are kept slightly raised on pillows. Pain relief is given, and you are encouraged to move your hands and walk.
- Week 1
Drains are usually removed after a few days. You can wash, dress and do light tasks, but avoid lifting or stretching your arms above shoulder height. You have a check-up before you fly home.
- Weeks 2–6
Most people return to desk work after about 10 days. Bruising fades over a few weeks, and you wear the compression sleeve for about three weeks. Strenuous arm exercise waits for at least six weeks.
- Months 2–12
Remaining swelling settles and scars gradually soften and lighten, which can take up to a year.
Aftercare
- Wear the compression garment as instructed, usually for about three weeks
- Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen for two weeks before and after surgery unless the surgeon agrees
- Stop smoking and alcohol at least two weeks before and after surgery
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous arm movements for six weeks
- Use sunscreen on the scars and keep them out of direct sun for the first year
Risks and side effects
Your surgeon will explain the risks before you consent. With an arm lift they include:
- Swelling and bruising
- Bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin (haematoma)
- Fluid collecting at the wound (seroma)
- Infection
- Wounds opening or healing slowly
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or near the scar
- Wide, raised or visible scars
- Reactions to anaesthesia
Occasionally the result is not as hoped, for example with slight unevenness between the arms, and a small revision may be considered once healing is complete.
Results
The change in shape is visible straight away, though swelling hides the final result for several weeks. Over the following months the arms settle into a firmer, smoother contour. Keeping your weight stable helps the result last for many years.
Arm lift in Turkey: your trip
Before you fly
Send photos of your arms with them held out to the side, along with your weight and medical history. The surgeon reviews them, and you receive a treatment plan and price.
In Istanbul
A driver meets you at the airport. Your hospital stay, tests, surgery, medication and meals are included, a translator stays with you through consultations and discharge, and a companion can stay at no extra cost.
Back home
Your coordinator is available 24/7 on WhatsApp, checks on your healing and passes any questions to the surgical team.
What the Arm Lift package includes
- VIP transfers from and to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Fully equipped room in the hospital
- Translation services at the hospital and during follow-up
- Pre-operative testing
- Consultation with your doctors
- Post-operative care and follow-ups for a year
- General anaesthesia
- Special compression garments
- One companion included in the price
- Three meals a day for you and your companion
- Full hospital stay for 4 nights, 5 days
- Aftercare package with a full set of medications to take home
Arm Lift FAQ
Where will the arm lift scar be?
For a mini arm lift the scar is hidden in the armpit. For a standard or extended lift it runs along the inner side of the upper arm, so it is mostly hidden when your arms are by your sides. Scars usually take up to 12 months to fade and flatten, but they do not disappear completely.
Can exercise get rid of loose arm skin instead?
Exercise can strengthen and tone the muscle, but it cannot shrink skin that has stretched and lost its elasticity. When there is a real excess of skin, removing it surgically is the only way to tighten it.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
Plan for 5 days in Istanbul. Your package includes a full hospital stay of 4 nights, so you recover in a private room with nurses on hand day and night. You have a check-up before you fly home.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk work after about 10 days. Jobs that involve lifting or reaching above your head need longer, usually around six weeks.
Will I need to wear a compression garment?
Yes, a compression sleeve or arm garment is usually worn for about three weeks. It reduces swelling and supports the skin as it heals.
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes, it is often combined with liposuction, and sometimes with a breast lift or tummy tuck after weight loss. The surgeon decides whether combining is safe based on your health and the total length of surgery.
Will my arms stay firm after surgery?
The removed skin does not come back, so results are long-lasting if your weight stays stable. Normal ageing will continue, and large weight changes can loosen the skin again.
