Chirurgie 
Treatment by our surgeon 
Anesthesia
Twilight sleep
After the operation
4 - 6 weeks compression sleeves
Sport
4 weeks no sport
Rates
-
Upper arm lift 6'900 CHF / session
Price list indicative and valid as of September 1, 2024.
Discounts subject to conditions, cannot be combined with other offers or subscriptions.
Payment in instalments in collaboration with Swissbilling, subject to their approval and available in clinics only.
Treatments
Before and after
Further information
All medical treatments require prior consultation. A personalized estimate can be drawn up following this consultation.
A decrease in the elasticity of the connective tissue or severe weight loss can lead to an unsightly accumulation of excess skin on the upper arm, which hangs down when the arm is raised. This can be surgically corrected with an upper arm lift. Depending on the extent of the findings, the tightening can be carried out using liposuction, but surgical removal of the excess skin is particularly necessary after extensive weight loss.
Advantages of an arm lift at the prevention center
- Years of experience in arm lift surgery
- Detailed consultation & planning of the operation
- Customized incision for the most invisible scars possible
- Compliance with strict hygiene and quality guidelines
- Use of self-dissolving suture material
Before the arm lift
For a period of approx. 14 days before the operation, you should avoid medication containing acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin, ASA, etc.), as this impairs blood clotting. You should also avoid alcohol, cigarettes and sleeping pills as far as possible. Nicotine can reduce blood flow to organs and delay wound healing. You should therefore avoid nicotine for two weeks before the operation and during the wound healing phase. For hygienic reasons, the armpit is susceptible to infections. You should therefore start showering regularly in this area with a disinfectant soap one week before the operation.
The arm lift
The procedure is usually performed in our clinic in Zurich under local anesthesia with twilight sleep, or under general anesthesia for very pronounced findings. Liposuction can be used to achieve an upper arm lift via two to three small incisions (armpit, inside of elbow). In the case of pronounced excess skin, the excess skin on the inside of the upper arm is removed and thus tightened. The skin is incised like a spindle on the inside of the upper arm and the separated piece is removed together with a portion of fatty tissue. Occasionally, an incision is also made in the armpit. The resulting scar is difficult for other people to notice because it is located on the inside of the upper arm and the client can pull clothing over it. In some cases, a combination with an accompanying liposuction is also recommended.
liposuction
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After the operation
- Suture removal is usually not necessary with self-dissolving suture material
- Showering with disinfectant shampoo
- Wearing a compression sleeve for 4 weeks postoperatively
- Avoid tension on the edges of the wound (no lifting the shoulders above the horizontal for 3 weeks)
- You cannot do any heavy work with your arms for at least 4 weeks
Risks & side effects
- Any swelling and discoloration due to bruising in the surgical area will subside after about two weeks.
- It is not uncommon to feel numbness in the area of the operation, but this also usually disappears.
- Lymph fluid can build up and lead to swelling.
- The lymph fluid is removed painlessly by means of a puncture.
Frequently asked questions about an upper arm lift
General information on the upper arm lift
Who is an upper arm lift suitable for?
Excess skin can occur not only on the stomach after major weight fluctuations. Physical changes or signs of ageing can also cause the tissue on the arms to sag and the skin to droop when the arms are lifted. For customers who feel restricted and uncomfortable due to their sagging upper arms, an upper arm lift at the prevention-center Zurich is the right choice.
Where does the scar run after the arm lift?
The position of the scar depends somewhat on the extent of the treatment, but above all on the client’s wishes. As a rule, we place a long, particularly fine scar on the inside of the arm for an upper arm lift, where it is later only visible as a light line when the arms are lifted. If only a minimal improvement of the upper arms is desired and liposuction is sufficient as a treatment method, there will be virtually no scars on the arms later on
What are the risks of an arm lift?
The risks of an arm lift include the classic surgical risks such as swelling and bruising on the one hand, and post-operative bleeding or changes in sensation on the other.
How long do the results of an upper arm lift last?
As a rule, an upper arm lift is performed once in a lifetime and lasts a correspondingly long time. Of course, large weight fluctuations can lead to sagging skin on the arms again, but this is not normally comparable to the initial findings.
Procedure for an upper arm lift
What types of arm lift are there?
Depending on how pronounced the excess skin to be removed is, there are different incision methods. The incision can run from the front armpit along the back of the upper arm, where the scar is also very well hidden. If there is a large amount of excess skin, this incision can be extended to the elbow or beyond.
What do I need to consider before an arm lift?
Before the treatment, it is important for customers to know what to expect. This is why we also explain the resulting scar during our consultation at the prevention center, which customers are usually happy to accept as they benefit from a significantly improved body image afterwards. The healing period after an upper arm lift is 6 – 12 months, during which it is advisable to wear compression sleeves to improve the final result.
How does the operation work?
Before the operation, the areas of skin to be removed during the treatment are marked. Local anesthesia is usually sufficient for an upper arm lift. After the area has been disinfected, skin and fatty tissue are removed, blood is staunched and the skin is sutured back together, first in the deep layers and then on the surface. Depending on how large the incision area is, the treatment takes around 1 – 1.5 hours.
Is an arm lift painful?
An upper arm lift is hardly painful. On the one hand, the local anesthetic and pain medication counteract the pain, and on the other hand, the compression garment also reduces the sensation of pain.
Aftercare for an upper arm lift
How long should I not do any sport after the upper arm lift?
After an upper arm lift, we recommend that our clients refrain from exercise for at least four weeks and slowly increase their activity after this break.
How long should I wear compression underwear?
We recommend wearing the compression sleeves for 4 weeks after the upper arm lift.
When can I return to work after the arm lift?
When you can return to work after an upper arm lift depends, among other things, on the type of work you do. Jobs that are not very physically demanding and only put little strain on the arms can be resumed after about 3 days. Jobs that put a lot of strain on the body, especially the arms, can be resumed after about 10 days.
