[Arm Lift] Sagging Upper Arms After Weight Loss – Arm Lift Results at 2–6 Months (Before & After, Scar Progress)
Can an arm lift improve sagging upper-arm skin after major weight loss?
Yes. When significant weight loss leaves
excess skin around the upper arms and underarms,
an arm lift can directly remove the sagging skin.
If excess fat also remains, combining the procedure
with arm and underarm liposuction may help create
a smoother and more balanced arm contour.
Written by Dr.Kukhan Lee, Lesarts Plastic Surgery
This article was written directly by the attending surgeon.
※Unauthorized reproduction, editing, or redistribution is prohibited.※
Rapid weight gain can affect not only
your appearance but also your overall health.
It may increase the risk of
cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension
and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Additional body weight can also place
greater stress on the musculoskeletal system,
leading to various physical discomforts.
For these reasons, many people choose
to lose weight for their health
and successfully achieve significant weight reduction.
Some are able to lose weight through
diet control and regular exercise.
However, when sufficient weight loss
is difficult through personal effort alone,
patients may receive help from
surgical treatments such as gastric banding
or gastrectomy, or from
medications such as Wegovy or Mounjaro.
After losing weight and moving closer
to a healthy body weight, however,
a new concern may become more noticeable.
That concern is loose and sagging skin
left behind after significant weight loss.
This is especially common in areas such as
the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs,
where skin laxity can become more pronounced
after substantial weight reduction.
Even after successfully losing enough weight,
some patients still experience discomfort
when dressing or during daily activities
because of the remaining loose skin.
For this reason, they may consider
surgical correction.
In this case, we will look at a patient
with sagging skin around the upper arms
and underarm area after weight loss,
treated with an arm lift combined with liposuction.
Preoperative Assessment for Arm Lift Surgery – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
The patient was a woman in her 40s
who was 166 cm tall and weighed 81 kg at the time of consultation.
Her weight had previously reached as high as 120 kg,
followed by repeated cycles of weight gain and loss.
She had also developed chronic health conditions such as hypertension
along with the weight gain.
To achieve more substantial weight loss,
she underwent a gastrectomy
and continued losing weight afterward.
Although her overall body volume decreased significantly,
severe skin sagging remained around the arms,
particularly the upper arms and underarm areas.
During the summer, the loose skin would rub against itself,
causing chafing and irritation.
She also explained that the excess skin
made it difficult to freely choose
the clothes she wanted to wear.
Preoperative Body Assessment for Arm Lift Surgery – Dr. Kuk Han Lee, Lesarts
During the physical examination,
extensive skin sagging was observed throughout the arms.
Compared with the forearms,
the upper arms showed more noticeable volume
and a greater degree of skin laxity.
The sagging extended across a relatively wide area,
from the elbows to the underarm folds.
Arm Lift Surgery at Lesarts Plastic Surgery – Dr. Kuk Han Lee
Although sagging in the underarm area itself
was not severe, some skin laxity was also observed
where the upper arms connect to the torso.
In addition, there was still a considerable amount of
subcutaneous fat throughout the upper arms.
For a more balanced contour, we determined that
combining an arm lift with liposuction would be more appropriate
than simply removing and tightening the excess skin.
We therefore planned an M-type arm lift combined with
liposuction of the upper arms, underarms,
and accessory breast area.
Next, we will look at the recovery and changes
at 2, 3, and 6 months after arm lift surgery.
Arm Lift Before and After Comparison (2 Months) – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Arm Lift Before and After Changes (2 Months) – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
At 2 months after surgery,
a significant improvement in the overall arm contour
can already be seen.
Before the arm lift, the upper arms appeared
relatively thick and bulky compared with the forearms.
After surgery, the upper-arm volume was reduced,
creating a more balanced proportion
between the upper arms and forearms.
Liposuction was also performed to sufficiently reduce
excess subcutaneous fat, followed by correction
of the remaining loose skin.
As a result, not only the upper-arm contour
but also the line extending from the elbow
to the underarm became noticeably smoother.
Sagging Upper Arm Skin Removal Surgery (2-Month Follow-Up) – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Upper Arm Skin Lift Surgery (2 Months) – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
At 2 months after surgery,
some swelling may still remain.
However, the discomfort caused by
repeated skin chafing and irritation before the arm lift
had already improved significantly.
The patient was also highly satisfied
with the improvement at this stage.
Arm Lift Scar Location and Length (2-Month Follow-Up) – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
Correction of Sagging Upper Arm Skin (2 Months After Arm Lift) – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
At this stage, the surgical scars
may still appear red, and some swelling
may remain in the surrounding tissues.
Therefore, both the scars and overall arm contour
are expected to continue settling and improving over time.
Arm Lift Scar Condition at 3 Months – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
At 3 months after surgery,
the overall redness and pigmentation had gradually decreased,
and the scars were beginning to fade.
However, hypertrophic scarring with some thickening
was observed along part of the scar
extending toward the elbow.
Considering the patient’s occupation, which requires frequent arm use,
repetitive movement and tension on the arms may have affected
the scar maturation process.
Scar treatment was therefore started
for the affected areas.
Arm Lift 3-Month Follow-Up: Before and After Comparison – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Back View Changes 3 Months After Arm Lift Surgery – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Arm Lift 3-Month Follow-Up: Side View Changes – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
Arm Lift Results at 3 Months – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Back View Changes 3 Months After Arm Lift Surgery – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
Except for a few areas where
hypertrophic scarring was observed,
the overall scars were maturing steadily.
Compared with the early postoperative period,
swelling had also decreased significantly,
and the overall arm contour was gradually
becoming more natural.
Arm Lift Scar Care at 6 Months – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Sagging Arm Skin After Weight Loss: 6 Months After Surgery – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
At 6 months after arm lift surgery,
the overall results had become more stable.
Except for the areas still undergoing treatment
for hypertrophic scarring, the surgical scars had faded considerably.
Most of the swelling in the arms had also subsided,
and the overall arm contour had become more stable and defined.
Changes 6 Months After Arm Lift and Arm Liposuction – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Arm Lift Recovery: 6-Month Follow-Up – Dr. Kukhan Lee, Lesarts
Before and After Sagging Upper Arm Correction (6 Months After Arm Lift) – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Sagging Upper Arm Skin Lift Before and After (6 Months)
In the front, side, and back views
taken with the arms lowered,
the scars are positioned along the inner arms,
making them less noticeable in a natural posture.
Compared with before surgery,
the overall arm circumference had decreased,
creating a more balanced proportion
between the upper arms and forearms.
These changes were achieved by directly correcting
excess fat and loose skin through the arm lift,
but the patient’s continued weight management after surgery
also contributed to the improved overall result.
Monthly Recovery After Arm Lift Surgery – Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Recovery After Arm Lift + Arm Liposuction by Postoperative Period (Side View)
There are still some areas
that require further improvement.
Hypertrophic scarring remains in certain sections,
so continued scar treatment is necessary.
However, scar maturation is not complete
at 6 months after surgery.
Because the color and thickness of scars can continue
to change over a considerable period,
consistent treatment and scar care may lead
to further improvement over time.
Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Arm Lift Consultation → Surgery → Aftercare
Real Story & Vlog
↓↓↓
From the perspective of a surgeon who performs
lifting procedures on various areas of the body,
an arm lift presents different considerations from an abdominoplasty.
With abdominoplasty, the scar can often be
partially concealed by underwear or pants.
With an arm lift, however,
there is a greater possibility that the scar may be visible.
Because scar formation cannot be predicted
with complete certainty before surgery,
arm lift consultations should cover not only
how much the sagging skin can be improved,
but also the expected scar and postoperative scar care.
It is therefore important for patients to
fully understand these considerations
and carefully decide whether to proceed with surgery.
At the same time, it is rewarding as a surgeon
to see patients who carefully chose surgery
become satisfied with their improved arm contour
and experience less discomfort in daily life.
If loose skin remains a concern even after
successful weight loss through diet and exercise,
or with medical assistance when necessary,
surgery is not required in every case.
However, it may be helpful to have the current condition
properly assessed and determine which options
may provide appropriate improvement.
If you are concerned about sagging skin on the arms
or excess skin and fat remaining after weight loss,
a personalized assessment may be helpful.
The most appropriate approach should be determined
by considering your current skin condition, fat distribution,
and personal preferences regarding scarring.
FAQ
Q1. Why does loose upper-arm skin remain after weight loss?
After major weight loss, the skin may not fully contract
to match the reduced body volume.
This can leave loose, hanging skin, especially around
the upper arms, abdomen, and thighs.
Q2. When is liposuction combined with an arm lift?
If the upper arms still contain
a noticeable amount of subcutaneous fat,
liposuction may be performed together with an arm lift.
This allows both excess fat and loose skin
to be addressed in the same surgical plan.
Q3. What changes can be seen 2 months after an arm lift?
At 2 months, some swelling may still remain,
but the upper-arm volume and sagging skin
can already show significant improvement.
The contour from the elbow to the underarm
may also appear smoother and more balanced.
Q4. How do arm lift scars change over time?
At around 2 months, scars may still appear
red and relatively noticeable.
By 3 to 6 months, redness and pigmentation
may gradually fade, although some areas
can develop hypertrophic scarring.
Q5. Can arm lift scars continue to improve after 6 months?
Yes. Scar maturation does not end
at the 6-month mark.
The color and thickness of the scar can continue changing
for a considerable period, and ongoing scar treatment
may help improve its appearance further.
▼ Visit Lesarts Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea ▼