Why Might Someone Need an Arm Lift?

Also known as a brachioplasty, an arm lift at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons is a procedure designed to address sagging skin to give the upper arm a firmer and tighter look.

Lax skin on the upper arms is known as “bat wings,” because of the way the tissue hangs down when the arms are extended outward from the body. What causes this condition? Beyond gravity, there are several potential contributing factors, any of which might prompt a patient to look into the surgery for themselves.

Here is a brief look at a few of the reasons women and men alike choose arm lift surgery.

Aging Skin

Youthful skin is packed with proteins and other molecules that help it to stay taut, full, and strong. Over time, however, these molecules—including collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid—break down. As levels drop, the skin becomes less able to cling to the underlying contours. Instead, it can start to grow lax and hang away from the muscle. While there are many reasons for sagging skin to develop on the upper arms, time alone is a significant contributor to the problem.

Rapid Weight Loss

Skin that has stretched out to accommodate underlying bulk due to weight gain can also retract as weight is lost. If the weight loss is especially fast, however—which is possible with bariatric surgery or the use of GLP1-agonists like Ozempic—the skin can’t keep up with the pace. This is especially true if the skin has lost elastin due to age or environmental damage, such as ultraviolet radiation. As a result, the skin will hang loose and be pulled down by gravity.

Weight Fluctuations

Some people gain, lose, and gain weight again in a cycle. While this may be due to lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise, it can also be the result of multiple pregnancies. The more skin is tasked with expanding and contracting, the more it gets stretched out of shape. Eventually, the repetitive changes couple with a loss of valuable elements will cause the skin to be characterized by laxity instead of firmness.

No matter which reasons you may be considering an arm lift, you can get answers to questions about the procedure from the team at West County Plastic Surgeons. Call 314.996.8800 or send a message online.