Excess skin on the upper arms or thighs can occur due to different factors. This may include ageing, significant weight loss, or genetic factors that makes the skin on the arms and thighs sag and loose. In cases where skin laxity remains despite lifestyle measures, procedures such as arm lift (brachioplasty) or thigh lift (thighplasty) may be considered.
At My Cosmetic Clinic, we offer consultations to assess whether these procedures may be appropriate based on your individual concerns and clinical suitability. Consultations may be book at Castle Hill, Crows Nest, Erina, Newcastle, Rosebery, Sydney, Wollongong, and Balgowlah to help you explore the available options for your needs.
Arm and thigh lifts are surgical procedures aimed at removing surplus skin and fatty tissue from the upper arm or thigh areas.
These surgeries are particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss but are left with residual skin laxity. Rapid and substantial weight reduction often leads to excess skin that fails to conform, resulting in loose skin. When conventional methods such as exercise and dieting prove ineffective in addressing this issue, arm or thigh lifts may support patients
Important: Consulting with a qualified practitioner is required before moving along with any procedure to evaluate your medical history and goals, and whether surgery is an appropriate option for your case.
Surplus skin and fat deposits in the arms and legs may lead to skin irritation (chaffing) and a higher rate of fungal infections. Arm or thigh lift surgery may assist in alleviating these symptoms, and also provide patients with results leading to:
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It is important to note that outcomes vary from patient to patient, and all surgical procedures carry risks. These include, but are not limited to, infection, scarring, fluid accumulation, and changes in skin sensation. Your treating practitioner will provide detailed information on the risks and expected recovery as part of your pre-operative consultation.
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin from the upper arms, often considered by individuals who experience skin laxity due to ageing, weight fluctuations, or other factors. In some cases, it may also be combined with liposuction to address localised fat deposits. This will be determined during the initial consultation you will have with one of our practitioners.
The procedure will generally start off with an incision, which is typically made along the inner aspect of the upper arm, extending from the armpit toward the elbow, depending on the extent of skin removal required. Excess skin is excised, and the remaining tissue is repositioned to improve contour. If liposuction is incorporated, fat may be removed from the area as part of the treatment plan.
A thigh lift is a surgical procedure that may be considered by individuals with excess skin or soft tissue in the inner or outer thigh areas, often following significant weight loss or changes in skin elasticity. Incision placement and technique may also vary depending on the area being treated and the degree of correction required. Moreover, incisions are typically located along the inner thigh or outer hip area.
Personalised treatment plans for both arm and thigh lift surgeries will be discussed with you by your practitioner to create a more suitable approach and treatment plan based on your anatomy and goals.
GP referral required prior to consultation.
In-person consultation with a doctor, followed by a mandatory cooling-off period.
Pre-operative assessment and scheduling following approval.
Procedure performed with post-operative care provided.
The outcomes shown here are only relevant for each patient and do not necessarily represent the results other patients may experience.
Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Arm/Thigh Lift Surgery are answered below.
Yes. A GP referral will be required for your first consultation. This can easily be obtained from your local GP.
An arm or thigh lift procedure is suitable for anyone who has been steadily losing weight but may require surgical assistance to achieve their final, ideal figure. After significant weight loss, many people develop loose skin in the upper arm and upper thigh areas. Sagging skin can also be the result of ageing, as the skin naturally loses volume and elasticity over time.Â
An arm or thigh lift is suitable for those who wish to remove this extra skin and reshape the area of concern. This surgery serves to contour and lift the skin, and is therefore suited to those who have reached, or are close to reaching, their ideal weight. Before undergoing a surgical lift, we recommend that patients attain a stable weight that they can comfortably maintain following the procedure. It is also suggested that patients maintain a reasonable level of fitness to aid with the recovery process.
This procedure is not a substitute for weight loss and is therefore unsuitable for those who are extremely overweight. This type of surgery should be the final step to achieving your ideal figure, and thus should be postponed until excess weight has been lost and a stable weight has been reached and maintained.
The arm or thigh lift procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia and IV sedation, or general anaesthesia. This will be discussed before your surgery and will depend on the preference of the patient and the expertise of the doctors.
The duration of your procedure will depend on the amount of correction you require. Arm lift surgery may take approximately 1 to 3 hours, while a thigh lift may take up to 3 hours or more, depending on the size and type of repair.
Our patients do commonly receive liposuction of the arms or thighs simultaneously with their lift. The two treatments work together to remove excess skin and focalised areas of fat, while also contouring and tightening the area to accommodate for the new shape. However, this is usually decided on a case basis. If the practitioner judges that it is safe to do so, then liposuction may be added to the treatment. This will depend on whether the patient has a safe amount of time left under the anaesthesia, and if the patient’s risk of blood clotting is relatively low. This will be discussed in your first consultation.
Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk. While it is essential to gather information on potential complications, it is equally necessary to evaluate the benefits of the treatment.
Potential complications of this surgery may include infection, bleeding, thickened scarring, seroma formation, contour irregularity, asymmetry, nerve damage and loss of sensation. While these issues are unlikely, risks associated with the procedure will be outlined in your consultation. Your practitioner will also discuss the measures that will be taken to reduce the risk of complications so that you can leave fully aware and assured of how the procedure may go.
A comprehensive consultation is required to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. Your practitioner will discuss the potential risks and benefits with you.
Although the resulting scar is truly dependent upon your own body and how you normally heal, Steri-Strips can flatten scars and keep them protected in the interim (although some patients may experience irritation). After some healing and wound gaining the strength, you may wish to ask your practitioner about Silicone Sheeting. Silicone sheeting has a wonderful record in improving scars and from hindering keloids from forming.
While incisions will be sutured carefully by your practitioner, every surgical procedure will result in some scarring. The degree of scarring will depend primarily on your body and how you usually heal. Although, there are particular techniques and ways in which scars can eventually be minimised. Steri-Strips can flatten scars and keep them protected in the interim (although some patients may experience irritation). After some healing time, you may wish to ask your practitioner about silicone sheeting, which has an excellent record for improving scars and for preventing keloids from forming.
After an arm lift surgery, scars usually form at the inner side of the arm where the incision is made. While this is not visible when the arm is close to the body, scars can be seen when the arm is lifted. Similarly, a thigh lift procedure will result in scars at the inner part of the thighs, which will not be visible unless the legs are moved apart. Our practitioner will ensure that all incisions are placed carefully to reduce the amount of scarring.
Recovery time depends on the individual, but usually follows a general pattern. For the first few days, the patients may prefer to take some pain medicine, usually a mild narcotic. During this time they generally stay at home, and they cannot drive a car or operate machinery. Near the one-week mark, when they are on milder medicine, they can start light exercise, such as walking, treadmill, stationary bike, but not impact exercises like running or aerobics.
The point at which work can be resumed depends upon how the work activities fit into the progression of recovery and this is individualised. We often recommend that an Compression garment be worn for varying lengths of time.
At My Cosmetic Clinic, consultations for surgical treatments cost $150, due to their in-depth and detailed nature.
These consultations involve a one-to-one in-person discussion with your practitioner who will educate you on all matters of the desired procedure. Patients will have the opportunity to their Practitioner all their questions and will gain full insight into how the surgery will be performed and the requirements associated.
Yes, it is possible for the arm and thigh lift surgery to be performed together. However, your Practitioner will discuss this with you in your consultation and will assess whether it is safe to do so.
Recovery time after the treatment depends on the individual. Generally, patients will receive pain medicine for the first few days after the procedure, in which time patients stay at home and are unable to operate machinery or drive.
One week after the surgery, when medicine is milder, patients can begin light exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling, but must avoid impact exercises, namely running or aerobics.
Returning to work will depend on how work activity fits into the progression of recovery. Since this is individualised, this will be discussed directly with your practitioner. For some patients, we often recommend wearing a compression garment for a little while after the procedure, depending on how recovery is progressing.
Dr Masood Ansari
(MED0000942278)

AACS, MBBS, MSC, MRCS, FACCS
Dr Ansari began his initial surgical training in the United Kingdom under the National Health Service and went on to obtain membership in the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) in 2006. He then carried out extensive training in cosmetic surgery in Australia where he was granted a fellowship from the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery.
The cost of treatment will vary depending on if you are combining it with other procedures on other areas of your body. Before we perform any procedures we will provide you with a comprehensive quote so you know exactly how much you will be paying.
Find out more about pricing here.
My Cosmetic Clinic is the first cosmetic clinic in Australia to achieve accreditation against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This reflects our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality in health care.
The NSQHS Standards are the benchmark for excellence in healthcare safety, ensuring that every patient receives care in a safe, high-quality environment. Achieving this accreditation underscores our dedication to maintaining the utmost professionalism in all our medical procedures.
Patient safety is our top priority, and we continually strive to meet and exceed these rigorous standards to ensure that every aspect of our practice is aligned with the best possible healthcare outcomes.
If sagging skin on your arms or thighs has got you thinking of getting arm or thigh lift surgery, our team will gladly inform you of everything you have to know about the procedure. During your consultation, your goals and medical history will be reviewed, and your practitioner will explain whether this procedure may be suitable for you.
When you’re ready, book a consultation at one of our trusted clinics in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, or The Central Coast to learn more about the procedure and what to expect.
If you still want to explore options and are not sure if an arm or thigh lift is right for you, we invite you to book a FREE discovery call. It’s a no-pressure conversation with our friendly team to answer and help you make the choice that’s best for you.
Find more information about the risks associated with cosmetic surgery at Cosmetic Surgery Risks.
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