Upper arm lift

Duration: 1 – 2 hours

Anesthesia: General anesthesia

Stay: outpatient or inpatient, 1 day

Aftercare: Compression sleeves for approximately 6 weeks

Able to return to work: after approximately 2 weeks, or after approximately 6 weeks for sports activities or heavy physical work.

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Sagging skin on the upper arms, often referred to as "whack-a-mole," can be caused by weight loss, aging, or genetic predisposition. An upper arm lift (brachioplasty) removes excess skin and results in a slimmer and firmer arm contour.

Tone upper arms for more definition

Consultation

In a personal consultation, we will discuss your individual wishes and expectations, explain the procedure, and answer your questions about the process, recovery time, and potential risks. Schedule your appointment online or by calling +41 44 397 38 60.

Preparation

Blood-thinning medications should be discontinued before surgery. Nicotine consumption should be reduced or stopped to avoid impairing wound healing.

Procedure of the operation

An arm lift is usually performed under general anesthesia. Excess skin is removed through an incision on the inside or back of the upper arms. The procedure is typically combined with liposuction.

Aftercare

After the procedure, special compression sleeves must be worn to minimize swelling. Sports activities should be paused for about six weeks, and heavy lifting should be avoided.

Risks

In addition to general surgical risks such as swelling or impaired wound healing, unsightly scarring or changes in sensation may occur in rare cases.

Costs

The cost depends on individual factors such as the extent of the surgery and whether liposuction is required . We would be happy to discuss the exact costs with you in a consultation. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to heal after an upper arm lift and what can I do about it?

Healing after an arm lift typically takes about four to six weeks. During the first few days, you should rest your arms and avoid heavy lifting. After two to three weeks, you can resume most normal activities. It is important to follow your doctor's postoperative instructions to promote healing and avoid complications.

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Get to know our doctors

Prof. Dr. med. Hisham Fansa
Chief Physician and Head of Plastic Surgery Zurich, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Dr. med. Sora Linder
Head of Plastic Surgery in Zurich, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Dr. med. (RO) Marlon Petrus
Senior Physician Plastic Surgery Zurich, Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

What our customers say about us

Read all Google reviews

AS

I can sum up my stay at Zollikerberg Hospital with the following words: the highest level of expertise, humanity, and compassionate care. I had a successful operation and received competent advice, care, and excellent support from the first minute until my discharge. A big thank you also goes to the hotel and kitchen team for the delicious and varied meals; I thoroughly enjoyed everything. Thank you so much!

CN

I had a very good experience. The doctors and nurses were very nice. The surgery went smoothly and was almost painless. I'm very satisfied with the final result. I would have the procedure at Zollikerberg Hospital anytime.

KRM

Honest and empathetic advice from Professor Fansa, and always a friendly welcome from Mr. Kummer in the waiting room: I was extremely satisfied with my treatment, from start to finish. Zollikerberg Hospital is very dear to me anyway; my children were born there 😉 and I always received excellent and warm care. 100% recommended!

LB

The initial consultation calmed my fears and concerns. Excellent advice and, above all, excellent explanations! A fantastic team. After the surgery, everything that had been done was explained to me again. Follow-up examinations and discussions went well. I'm very pleased to have had my procedure with Dr. Fansa; it has given me renewed courage and vitality. I thank the entire team.

LC

Planning, surgery, stay, aftercare, everything was perfect!

LR

With Dr. Linder, you always feel very well looked after and taken seriously. She's extremely competent, both professionally and personally. I would recommend her at any time!

T.

Everyone was very nice and accommodating. Dr. Fansa also explained everything very well and in simple terms. And everything worked out exactly as expected. I highly recommend it, and I would go back anytime.

T.C.

Excellent from start to finish. The hospital is very well organized, there are hardly any waiting times, and Prof. Fansa and Dr. Linder are excellent surgeons. I am very satisfied with the results!

SZ

Professionalism combined with humanity. You feel well advised and treated.