Introduction to Arm Lift

At our practice in Newport Beach, an arm lift is a popular procedure for men and women interested in reducing loose skin and stubborn fat from the upper arm area. For more information on arm lift surgery, please read the paragraphs below. To schedule a consultation with Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Miahcel J. Sundine, please contact us today.

What is an Arm Lift?

Arm lift surgery will help you if you have droopy upper arms by eliminating fat pockets and redundant skin. Arm lift surgery, also called Brachioplasty, delivers excellent results and allows Dr. Sundine to give you the toned, beautiful upper arms you long for.

Droopy upper arms can be caused by loss of skin elasticity due to aging or weight fluctuations. Often, if you have lost a lot of weight, you will need arm lift surgery.

Patient Review

Dr. Sundine is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Sundine’s excellent skills and knowledge has made my surgery turning out so well. But more importantly, it made me feel better about myself. Again, thank you Dr. Sundine for all you have done for me. You are the best surgeon!

Who Is a Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?

Arm lift surgery is pursued by individuals who are unhappy with excess fat or droopy arm skin, including those who have skin laxity due to aging, patients who have lost massive amounts of weight, and new mothers who have lost weight after pregnancy. Arm lift surgery patients must be healthy and not severely overweight. If you are planning on losing weight in the near future or having a bariatric procedure, you are advised to postpone arm lift surgery.

The Arm Lift Surgery Procedure in Newport Beach

Arm lift surgery is performed at our fully accredited outpatient surgical center under general anesthesia. The surgery may last from one to three hours depending on how much fat and skin are being removed. Dr. Sundine begins arm lift surgery by creating incisions that extend from the underarm to just above the elbow. If you have mildly redundant skin and not much fat, you may only require small incisions in the lower part of the armpit. (This procedure is also known as minimal incision arm lift surgery.) After creating the incisions, Dr. Sundine uses liposuction to break up and remove excess fat. The excess skin is then trimmed and the rest is tightened and sutured in place.

Recovering from Arm Lift Surgery

After arm lift surgery, you will experience mild post-operative swelling and bruising, which subsides within two weeks. Any post-operative discomfort is relieved with pain medication, and bandages and sutures are removed within the first week. After this time you may return to work and your other daily routines.

Dr. Sundine will provide you with aftercare instructions. The final results are usually visible within six weeks. During recuperation, Dr. Sundine will closely monitor you.

Before and After Photos

Brow Lift Before and After Results in Newport Beach by Dr. Sundine

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How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost in Newport Beach?

The cost of a Newport Beach arm lift varies on a number of factors. During your consultation, Dr. Sundine will meet with you in his Orange County office to discuss his recommendations and all associated costs. There are financing options available that can make the payment process easier for our patients.

Schedule Your Consultation

Patients seeking plastic surgery in Newport Beach often visit the practice of renowned surgeon Dr. Michael Sundine. Dr. Sundine is a gifted body contouring and breast surgeon, offering procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation in Orange County. With more than 23 years of experience, he is also well-known for his skills as a facial plastic surgeon. If you’re interested in setting up a consultation with him to discuss arm lift surgery, please contact us today!

After surgery, it is important for you to have someone available to stay with you for the first 24-48 hours, as you will be weak and drowsy. You may require help the first few times you get out of bed. It is important to get out of bed early and often after your surgery (with assistance) to prevent postoperative problems. This activity will greatly reduce the risk of blood clots in your leg veins. Please take deep breaths frequently to keep your lungs clear (15-20 per hour). Keep your head elevated about 30 degrees (two pillows) with the knees slightly flexed.
It is important to walk and only lift your arms less than 90 degrees at the shoulder for the first 10-14 days to minimize tension on the suture line. Sleep with your arms on 2-3 pillows to minimize swelling. This will improve the quality of your scar.
A light diet is best after surgery. Begin by taking liquids slowly and progress to soups or Jell-O. You may start a regular diet the next day.
Please take the pain medication only if you have pain. Take it with crackers, Jell-O, etc. You should need it the first 2-3 days after surgery as prescribed. Take the antibiotics as directed until they are completed. It is very important you take antibiotics to prevent infection.
DO NOT SMOKE. This is very important. Smoking causes vasoconstriction and impedes healing.
For the first 72 hours keep your arm movements to a minimum. Your arms should not be used to support your body or lift anything heavy. Do not push with your arms to lift yourself in bed. Keep your arms as close to your body as possible.
Frequently small drains are used to draw off any accumulating fluid after surgery. The bulb should be collapsed at all times. The fluid will need to be removed from the bulb every 3 hours. Please keep a record of what time and how much fluid is emptied from the bulb. Bring this record with you to the office appointment. Usually drains are removed 24 hours after surgery. The drains will not be removed if you have drained more than 30 ccs within a 24-hour period.
Please wear your arm compression binder continuously for 14 days. You may take it off to shower on postoperative day 3. You will have Steri-strips in place. You may shower with these in place. Pat them gently with a towel to dry them and then replace the arm compression binder.
Do not drive for 7-10 days.
Do not submerge yourself in a bath, swimming pool, whirlpool, or ocean for 2 weeks.
You are recommended to use silicone gel sheeting on the incisions beginning two weeks after surgery.
Begin massage of the incision scars two weeks after the surgery. They can be massaged with vitamin E, aloe vera, or moisturizing cream. You may also purchase a cream to help minimize scarring, please ask our nurse if you are interested.
You may resume sexual activity in 4 weeks. (Raising your blood pressure for the first 10 days following surgery may cause bleeding)
Do not take ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, or aspirin-containing products for 3 weeks after surgery.
Do not lift anything heavier than 10 lbs. for 3 weeks. It is good to walk for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Do not run, lift weights, play tennis, or golf for 6 weeks. (Keep your heart rate under 100 for 3 weeks)
What to expect after surgery
Moderate swelling of your arms is to be expected. You may find that your clothes may not fit as easily as before. Be patient. The swelling will gradually subside and you will be back to normal in 3 to 6 months.
Because of the removal of tissue from your arms, there is a certain amount of tightness that is to be expected. This will slowly relax within 6 months.
Infrequently, after surgery, you may have fluid in the arms after the drains are removed. If this happens, please contact our office, as Dr. Sundine will want to see you to remove the fluid.
Call our office if you have any questions, if any problems should arise, or if you have been having any signs or symptoms of infection (redness, fever, drainage).

Professional Memberships:

International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons

American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons

American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association

American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons

Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons

Patient Reviews & Testimonials

"Extremely Qualified"

I was referred to Dr Sundine by the Pelican Hill Resort while I was a guest there and I suffered serious facial injuries from a mountain biking incident. Dr Sundine and his staff were concerned and caring and extremely qualified. the work performed by Dr Sundine on my face is simpl astounding. I was so impressed with the quality of care and results I received that I have had additional voluntary facila work performed by Dr Sundine. My wife and some friends have also become patients of Dr Sundine's with the same results. It is a difficult decision to entrust someone to repair and maintain one's appearance. I trust Dr Sundine.
- MJ

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"Thanks, Dr. Sundine!"

After much research and multiple visits to other surgeons, I knew right away that Dr. Sundine was the perfect choice for me. He is gentle and kind and genuinely listens to you. I felt completely confident in his ability from the first visit to the last. Even the day of the procedure, he spent ample time talking to me, taking measurements, and making marks on my body so as to get the perfect results. I have been singing his praises to all of my friends and will recommend him to anyone searching for a plastic surgeon. Thanks, Dr. Sundine!

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"Excellent Plastic Surgeon!"

Dr. Sundine is an excellent plastic surgeon! I have been using his services for almost 5 years. The office setting is state of the art and his office manager Toni makes sure that everything runs efficiently. They really listen to your needs before and after surgery to make certain that you walk out fully satisfied. If you want to look years younger and fully refreshed I highly recommend that you use his services. This is not your typical Newport Beach plastic surgeon’s office. Patients walk out looking naturally gorgeous, not overdone like some of the women in Orange County! The office offers a full range of injectables, peels, and lasers in addition to major cosmetic surgery procedures. Whether you need a little tweak or surgery this is the physician that you should see!
- Susan

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"You are the Best Surgeon!"

Dr. Sundine is the best plastic surgeon. Dr. Sundine’s excellent skills and knowledge has made my surgery turn out so well. But more importantly, it made me feel better about myself. Again, thank you Dr. Sundine for all you have done for me. You are the best surgeon!
- Thy D.

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