Arm and thigh lift with Dr. Claire Duggal
For loose or hanging skin that toning exercises cannot reach. An arm lift tightens and reshapes the upper arm; a thigh lift removes excess skin, and sometimes fat, to smooth the legs.
At a glance
Surgeon
Dr. Claire Duggal
Anesthesia
General
Basis
Usually outpatient
Light activity
1–2 days
Bruising & swelling
1–2 weeks
Final appearance
Improves for 6–8 weeks
Brachioplasty
An arm lift may be appropriate if you have loose or hanging skin or excess fat in the upper arm despite toning exercises. If there is a minimal amount of loose skin, sometimes liposuction or non-invasive fat reduction alone can reshape the upper arm.
For patients with more skin laxity, an arm lift can be done with either an incision hidden in the armpit, or one that extends to the elbow for maximum contour improvement. In patients with loose, hanging skin from weight loss or aging, an incision can be made from the axilla along the inner arm to remove excess skin.
Recovery
Performed under general anesthesia, usually outpatient — an overnight stay may be needed if combined with other procedures. Your arms are wrapped for the first few days, and light activity resumes 1 to 2 days after surgery. Bruising and swelling last 1 to 2 weeks, and the final appearance continues improving for 6 to 8 weeks.
Thighplasty
A thigh lift tightens and reshapes the thigh region by removing excess skin, and sometimes fat, to smooth the legs. It can target bulges and excess skin on the outer or inner thighs.
If your skin tone is good, reshaping can sometimes be done with liposuction alone. For an inner thigh lift, an incision is generally made in the groin crease and extends along the back of the inner thigh. To smooth the outer thighs, an incision extends forward from the natural buttock crease, hidden under a bikini brief. The incision pattern is determined by each patient’s goals and anatomy.
Recovery
Performed under general anesthesia, usually outpatient. Light compression helps with swelling, and light activity resumes 1 to 2 days after surgery. Bruising and swelling last 1 to 2 weeks, and the final appearance of your legs continues improving for 6 to 8 weeks.
Arm lift before and after — an actual patient of Dr. Duggal.
Good candidates are at a stable weight, have loose or sagging skin on their arms or thighs, are in good overall health, and have realistic expectations about the results this procedure can provide.
While scars are an inevitable part of the procedure, Dr. Duggal places incisions in discreet locations you can hide with clothing. Over time scars typically fade and become less noticeable. We also offer customized scar revision techniques to address persistent scarring.
Your brachioplasty and thighplasty results should be long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight through diet and exercise. Natural aging and weight fluctuations can affect your long-term outcomes.
Every surgery involves some potential risks, including infection, bleeding, scarring, and anesthesia-related complications. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring can minimize these.
Preparation includes a thorough consultation with Dr. Duggal to discuss your goals and medical history. If you smoke or take medications or supplements that increase bleeding risk, you will need to stop. Dr. Duggal provides detailed pre-operative instructions tailored to you.
Some improvement is visible immediately after surgery, but it can take several months for swelling to subside and tissues to adjust to their new shape. Most patients see significant improvement within six to eight weeks.
Yes. Combining your arm or thigh lift with a complementary surgery like a tummy tuck, or making it part of a mommy makeover, delivers more comprehensive rejuvenation. Dr. Duggal will discuss the best options for your goals during consultation.
Dr. Duggal will assess your skin tone and contours and tell you whether liposuction alone will do it, or whether skin needs to be removed.