Wave Goodbye to Bat Wings — For Good
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in Ottawa with Dr. Mehrad Jaberi
You've done the work. Maybe you lost a significant amount of weight — congratulations, by the way, that's no small thing. Maybe aging and gravity just caught up with you. Either way, you've been left with loose, hanging skin on your upper arms that no amount of tricep dips will fix. You avoid sleeveless tops. You're self-conscious whenever you wave or reach for something.
An arm lift changes that equation entirely. It removes the excess skin, tightens the underlying tissue, and gives you arms you actually want to show off. Yes, there's a scar — but for the vast majority of patients, the trade-off isn't even close.
Quick Facts
| Procedure Time | 2–3 hours |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Recovery | 2–3 weeks off work; 6 weeks full activity |
| Results | Long-lasting (maintain with stable weight) |
| Starting From | $8,000 |
What Is an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?
A brachioplasty — commonly called an arm lift — removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm, between the armpit and the elbow. Dr. Jaberi makes an incision along the inner arm (where it's least visible in daily life), removes the redundant skin, tightens the underlying tissue, and sculpts a smoother, more toned arm contour.
Think of it this way: if you hold your arm out to the side and there's a curtain of skin that hangs down, that's exactly what this procedure addresses. Exercise can build muscle and reduce fat, but once skin has stretched beyond its ability to bounce back — especially after major weight loss — surgery is the only way to remove it.
If you also have excess fat along with loose skin, Dr. Jaberi can combine liposuction with the arm lift to address both issues simultaneously. The lipo refines the overall contour while the lift removes the excess skin. It's a comprehensive approach that delivers dramatic results.
Let's talk about the scar, because that's the first thing most people. Yes, an arm lift leaves a scar along the inner arm. Dr. Jaberi places it in the most hidden position possible — along the inner bicep groove — and uses meticulous closure techniques. The scar starts out visible but fades significantly over 6 to 12 months. Most patients say they'd choose the scar over hanging skin without hesitation.
Is an Arm Lift Right for You?
A brachioplasty might be your best option if:
- You have loose, hanging skin on your upper arms ("bat wings")
- Significant weight loss left you with excess arm skin
- Aging has caused your arm skin to lose elasticity
- Exercise alone hasn't improved the loose skin
- You avoid sleeveless clothing because of how your arms look
- You're at a stable weight and in good overall health
If your concern is more about fullness (stubborn fat) without significant loose skin, arm liposuction alone might be enough — and it comes with much less scarring. Dr. Jaberi will help you figure out which approach is right during your consultation.
What to Expect — From Sleeves to Sleeveless
Your Consultation
Dr. Jaberi will examine your arms — the skin quality, the amount of excess, the underlying fat, and the muscle tone. He'll assess whether you need just a lift, just lipo, or a combination. He'll also discuss scar placement and show you before-and-after photos so you have realistic expectations.
This is also where you decide whether a full arm lift (armpit to near the elbow) or a mini arm lift (focused on the upper portion near the armpit) is the better fit. Not everyone needs the full-length procedure.
Surgery Day
The procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours under general anesthesia. Dr. Jaberi marks the planned incision and excision pattern while you're standing (gravity matters — lying down makes everything look different). Excess skin is removed, underlying tissue is tightened, and if lipo is being combined, it's done first to debulk before the skin is removed.
You'll go home the same day with compression sleeves on your arms and drains (if needed). Arms will feel tight and sore — which is a good sign that everything is secure.
Recovery Timeline
Arms feel tight, sore, and swollen. Keep them elevated as much as possible — sleep propped up with pillows supporting your arms. Light walking is encouraged. Avoid reaching overhead.
First follow-up. Drains removed if used. Swelling is improving. Light daily activities resume, but no lifting anything heavier than a cup of coffee.
Most patients return to work. The compression sleeves continue (4–6 weeks total). Arms are still healing, but you can already see the dramatically improved contour.
Exercise gradually resumes — lower body first, then light upper body. The shape continues refining. Scars are still red but flattening.
Scars fade from red to pink to pale. Full arm definition is visible. This is when most patients say they genuinely love their arms for the first time in years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's be real — the scar runs along the inner arm, from the armpit area toward the elbow. When your arm is at your side, it's mostly hidden. When you raise your arm, it's visible. That said, it fades dramatically over 6 to 12 months and continues maturing for up to 2 years. Dr. Jaberi's closure technique and scar care protocol make a big difference. Nearly every patient says the scar is a small price to pay for arms they can finally feel confident about.
For desk jobs, 2 to 3 weeks is typical. If your work involves lifting, reaching, or significant arm use, plan for 4 to 6 weeks. Dr. Jaberi will give you a specific timeline based on your job and your healing.
If your skin still has good elasticity and your issue is primarily excess fat — yes, arm lipo alone can work beautifully with minimal scarring. But if you have significant loose, hanging skin, lipo alone won't tighten it. In fact, removing fat without removing excess skin can sometimes make the skin look even looser. Dr. Jaberi will assess your skin quality and give you an honest recommendation.
Absolutely — and it's a very common combination. Liposuction first debulks the fat, and then the lift removes the excess skin. This gives the most refined, smooth contour. Dr. Jaberi often recommends this combination when patients have both issues.
The results are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable weight. If you gain and lose a significant amount of weight again, some skin laxity could develop over time. Normal aging will cause gradual changes, but you'll always look far better than if you hadn't had the procedure.
Ready to Love Your Arms Again?
You've done the hard part — losing the weight, putting in the work. An arm lift is the finishing touch that lets you finally enjoy the results you've earned. Book your consultation with Dr. Jaberi today.
Book Your ConsultationOr call us directly: 613-591-1188