At his Sacramento, Granite Bay, and Coeur d’Alene offices, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rudy Coscia helps patients weigh the benefits of arm contouring against the reality of surgical scarring. His approach is always personalized, focused on balance, proportion, and creating results that enhance the overall appearance of the upper body.

Why Arm Lift Surgery Leaves a Scar

During a brachioplasty, Dr. Coscia removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, often using liposuction for added definition. A long incision is necessary for skin removal, which inevitably leaves a scar. In most cases, the scar runs along the inner arm, from the armpit to the elbow. This placement helps keep it less visible when the arms are down.

While the scar is permanent, most patients find that the overall improvement in arm contour far outweighs the downside of the scar. Over time, the scar typically fades and flattens, especially when proper healing techniques are followed.

Who Benefits Most from the Procedure?

Not every person with upper arm concerns needs a full arm lift. Those with mild skin laxity may achieve great results with liposuction alone. However, those who have lost a significant amount of weight or are experiencing skin laxity due to aging are often excellent candidates for brachioplasty.

During your consultation, Dr. Coscia will assess skin tone, fat distribution, and your aesthetic goals to determine whether an arm lift is the right option.

Is the Scar Worth It? Most Say Yes

The scar is real, but so is the result. Patients often describe an immediate confidence boost after arm lift surgery. Clothing fits better. Sleeveless styles feel approachable again. For these individuals, the scar is a small price to pay for greater freedom and satisfaction.

Dr. Coscia uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring and provides detailed post-operative care instructions to help the incision heal optimally. Scar treatments, sun protection, and silicone-based products can further improve outcomes.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More

Dr. Rudy Coscia is a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing body contouring procedures, including brachioplasty. Patients consistently choose Dr. Coscia for his thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving results that feel both empowering and personalized.

With convenient locations in Sacramento, Granite Bay, and Coeur d’Alene, ID, Dr. Coscia makes expert care accessible to a broad range of patients. If you’re considering an arm lift, contact (916) 773-5559 to learn more during a consultation.

Liposuction

Upper arm fat can be difficult to shed: you may find lingering fat deposits in this region to be resistant to your diet and exercise attempts. Fortunately, liposuction can help address stubborn fat. Through tiny incisions, Dr. Coscia can suction out unwanted fat cells to achieve sleeker contours. The results are permanent. You will have to wear a compression garment around your arm for up to a month, so plan to have the surgery well in advance of a trip to the beach.

Arm Lift

The primary objective of arm lift is to remove the loose, dangling skin that forms around the upper arm. Whereas exercise can help you to develop muscles in your arms, it ultimately does nothing to address excess skin: only surgery can fix that problem.

When performing arm lift, Dr. Coscia makes skillful incisions that hide easily inside the armpit and on the underside of the arm. These incisions allow him to remove the extra skin and create arms that look slender and firm. Liposuction is often included as part of arm lift to achieve appealing contours.

CoolSculpting

If you would prefer a less invasive procedure to upgrade your arms, CoolSculpting may be the right choice for you. CoolSculpting uses cold temperatures to freeze the fat cells in your upper arms (or other treatment areas). In the months to come, your body will eliminate these frozen cells, which helps to create toned contours.

CoolSculpting reduces fat cells in a treatment area by about 20 to 25%. You can also choose to repeat the procedure more than once to maximize the results. Although it takes longer to see the results from CoolSculpting, it does not require significant downtime, allowing you to resume normal activities right after leaving Dr. Coscia’s office.

Laser Hair Removal

Perhaps the shape and definition of your arms are secondary concerns compared to the hair. If dark, thick arm hair leaves you feeling shy about wearing short sleeves, then you may benefit from laser hair removal. Patients report that the treatment is less uncomfortable than waxing, and the results are much longer lasting. To better accommodate a variety of patients, the Plastic Surgery Center offers two types of lasers: LightSheer Diode and intense pulsed light (IPL).

Discuss Arm Procedures with Dr. Coscia

Cosmetic procedures are a great way to attain the toned, attractive arms you have always wanted. To devise a plan that helps your arms look their very best this summer, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Coscia at your soonest convenience.

What Causes Loose Skin?

When you put on weight, your skin stretches to accommodate your heavier frame. Later, if you take off that weight, your skin may not be elastic enough to retract and fit tightly around your slimmer figure. This results in excess skin hanging from your body. Unfortunately, that skin can distract from the nicer contours you have worked to achieve.

Can Exercise Help?

While exercise is a terrific way to burn fat, it does nothing to eliminate skin. At best, building muscle can increase your mass to make skin seem less stretched in some areas, but no amount of working out will cause that loose skin to disappear.

Dieting also fails to address loose skin. Restricting calories will prompt your body to burn the fat your body has in reserve, but that has no effect on skin.

What Is the Solution for Loose Skin?

The most effective way to remove unwanted, excess skin is with surgery. Cosmetic procedures can excise loose skin and tighten the skin that remains for a sleeker, toned appearance. Dr. Coscia offers the following procedures to patients who have lost weight:

Thigh Lift

Thigh lift targets the skin that develops around the thighs. Tightening the skin can also improve the appearance of dimpled skin and stretch marks in some patients. Because fat can be especially stubborn in this region, liposuction is often incorporated into thigh lift.

Tummy Tuck

You may find stretch marks or a “pooch” of fat around your belly after losing weight. Abdominoplasty tightens the skin to achieve a flatter stomach. It also repairs abdominal muscles that may have shifted out of place. This procedure is especially popular with women after a pregnancy.

Arm Lift

Weight loss can cause the upper arms to look deflated thanks to dangling skin. Brachioplasty involves making an incision from the armpit to the elbow to remove loose skin and excess fat to achieve attractive contours.

Upper and Lower Body Lift

If you have lost a dramatic amount of weight, it is likely that you have loose skin on several areas of the body. With body lift, Dr. Coscia addresses multiple areas simultaneously. An upper body lift typically focuses on the arms, chest and upper back, while a lower body lift involves the stomach, hips and thighs.

Discuss Plastic Surgery with Dr. Coscia

After losing weight, it can be frustrating to still find yourself dissatisfied with your body. Understanding that surgery is the only real solution for loose skin may be the motivation you need to consult with a plastic surgeon. Dr. Coscia is one of Sacramento’s finest plastic surgeons, and he would be happy to help you complete your physical transformation. Please send an email to arrange an appointment.

We get it. That’s why we’ve found a solution that can help you reduce excess upper arm fat (and even excess skin): an arm lift!

* Individuals Results May Vary.

Arm Lift for Upper Arm Fat Reduction

An arm lift – also known as a brachioplasty – is a surgical procedure that manually removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm region. This cosmetic surgery is a great option for patients who are struggling to lose upper arm fat, despite doing all the right things with diet and exercise.

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Am I a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

You’re a good candidate for an upper arm lift if you have excess skin and fat that just won’t respond to your healthy habits. In many cases, this lack of fat reduction isn’t your fault; it often comes down to genetics or loss of skin laxity. However, ideal candidates should be prepared to continue to follow a healthy lifestyle, as an upper arm lift cannot prevent the formation of new fat.

All candidates should be healthy nonsmokers and want to get an upper arm lift for realistic reasons.

If you’re not quite ready for a surgical solution to your upper arm fat, you may be a good candidate for non-surgical body contouring options.

Arm lift Consultations Available

How Long Until I See Results?

Total upper arm lift recovery takes about four to six weeks, during which time you’ll be asked to wear compressive sleeves to help reduce bruising and swelling. Most patients usually take about a week off from work; we recommend two weeks if you work in a more manual job that involves lifting.

Results can be absolutely life-changing for patients, as they include a more contoured and aesthetically pleasing arm – one you won’t hesitate to show off in your favorite t-shirt or tank top!

Dr. Coscia is one of the most caring and compassionate doctors I have ever met. He has taken so much time explaining all that is entailed in the surgery, including the risks and other options. I had been wanting to do this for years, but was really scared. As soon as I met Dr. Coscia I felt completely confident in him and at peace with my decision. After the surgery at every follow up visit he took care to be reassuring that the end result would be what I was hoping for. He is a very skilled surgeon and he has the good taste and a good eye for what looks best. I trust him completely and recommend him without reservation.

Take the Next Step

Ready to tackle your upper arm fat once and for all? Schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rudy Coscia at his new plastic surgery practice in Granite Bay, CA.