Mini Brachioplasty
For limited skin laxity near the armpit, a mini arm lift uses a shorter incision concealed within the axillary crease.
Limitation Candidacy is limited because it does not correct significant laxity extending down the upper arm.
Loose, sagging skin of the upper arms can develop with aging, significant weight loss, or loss of skin elasticity. Unlike excess fat, loose skin cannot be corrected through diet or exercise alone.
An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes excess skin and, when appropriate, excess fat from the upper arms to create a firmer, smoother, and better-defined contour. Liposuction may be incorporated when localized fat is also present.
At Cabo Plastic Surgery, Dr. Roberto López Konschot personally evaluates the degree and location of skin laxity and determines whether a standard, mini, or extended brachioplasty is most appropriate for your anatomy.
One of the most important considerations is the scar. A meaningful improvement in loose upper-arm skin requires accepting a permanent incision, and understanding that tradeoff is an essential part of deciding whether brachioplasty is right for you.
The goal is not simply smaller arms, but arms that are firmer, better proportioned, and more comfortable to reveal.
| Procedure | Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Removes excess upper-arm skin to create a firmer, smoother contour. |
| Ideal Candidates | Healthy adults with loose upper-arm skin who are at a stable weight. |
| Techniques | Mini, standard, or extended brachioplasty, depending on the degree and location of skin excess. |
| Anesthesia | Regional anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia in selected cases. |
| Surgical Time | Approximately 2–3 hours. |
| Hospital Stay | Discharge after post-operative monitoring in most cases. |
| Incisions | Depend on the technique and extent of correction required. |
| Recovery | Light activity in 10–14 days; strenuous exercise restricted for approximately 4–6 weeks. |
| Travel Home | Most international patients remain in Los Cabos for approximately 7–10 days, with travel after medical clearance. |
| Results | Visible immediately; final contour develops over approximately 3–6 months. |
| Commonly Combined | Liposuction, breast surgery, or other body-contouring procedures when appropriate. |
| Starting Price | From $7,500 USD medical team fee; hospital and operating-room fees separate. |
The right technique depends on the amount and location of excess skin.
For limited skin laxity near the armpit, a mini arm lift uses a shorter incision concealed within the axillary crease.
Limitation Candidacy is limited because it does not correct significant laxity extending down the upper arm.
The standard arm lift treats moderate to significant upper-arm laxity. Excess skin is removed through an incision extending along the inner arm toward the armpit.
When fat is also present Liposuction may be added when localized excess fat is also present.
For significant skin excess extending from the upper arm onto the lateral chest, often after major weight loss, the incision may continue beyond the armpit along the side of the torso.
Our approach Dr. Roberto López Konschot selects the least extensive technique capable of achieving a meaningful, well-proportioned result.
Brachioplasty is not a weight-loss procedure. If you are still actively losing weight, surgery is generally postponed until your weight has stabilized.
This distinction is important: liposuction removes fat; brachioplasty removes excess skin. If you have localized arm fat with good skin elasticity, liposuction alone may be sufficient. When significant loose skin is present, an arm lift—or an arm lift combined with liposuction—may provide a better result.
During your consultation, Dr. Roberto López Konschot evaluates your skin laxity, tissue volume, arm anatomy, medical history, and goals to determine the appropriate technique and incision pattern.
Before surgery You will receive personalized pre-operative instructions and medical clearance requirements.
Brachioplasty is performed at Hospital H+ under regional anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be used in selected cases. Excess skin is removed, the underlying tissues are reshaped, and liposuction may be added when appropriate.
Surgical time Typically 2–3 hours, depending on the technique and extent of correction.
Swelling, bruising, and tightness are expected during the first 1–2 weeks. Compression garments are worn as instructed, and most patients resume light activities within 10–14 days.
Activity restrictions Lifting, overhead reaching, and strenuous exercise are generally restricted for 4–6 weeks. Dr. López Konschot personally follows your recovery during your stay in Los Cabos.
Arm lift results are visible immediately, although swelling temporarily affects the final contour. As healing progresses over 3–6 months, the arms become smoother, firmer, and more defined.
The most important tradeoff is the scar. Standard brachioplasty leaves a permanent incision along the inner upper arm, positioned to be less visible when the arms rest naturally at the sides. Scars typically soften and fade significantly over 12–18 months, but they do not disappear completely.
Dr. Roberto López Konschot carefully plans incision placement and closure to make the scar as discreet as possible. Before surgery, you will know where the incision will be and can decide whether the expected improvement justifies that tradeoff.
For the right patient, a successful arm lift is not about achieving a scarless arm—it is about achieving a significantly better contour with a scar you consider an acceptable exchange.
Brachioplasty may be combined with other procedures when doing so is medically appropriate and does not compromise safety or recovery. Common combinations include liposuction, breast surgery, tummy tuck, or other body-contouring procedures, particularly after significant weight loss.
Whether procedures should be combined or performed separately depends on your overall health, the extent of surgery, and total operative time. Dr. Roberto López Konschot prioritizes safety over convenience and may recommend staging procedures when that is the better approach.
An arm lift requires careful patient selection, precise incision placement, and meticulous closure to achieve the best balance between improved contour and a discreet scar. At Cabo Plastic Surgery, every brachioplasty is personally planned and performed by Dr. Roberto López Konschot.
The goal is straightforward: the safest appropriate operation, a meaningful improvement in arm contour, and a result that remains naturally proportioned to your body.
Like any surgery, brachioplasty carries potential risks, including:
Because brachioplasty involves a relatively long incision, wound healing and scar quality are particularly important considerations. Following post-operative instructions, avoiding nicotine, and attending follow-up visits help reduce preventable complications.
It depends on your anatomy. If excess fat is the main concern and your skin has good elasticity, liposuction alone may be sufficient. If significant loose skin is present, liposuction will not remove it and may make laxity more noticeable.
A mini brachioplasty uses a shorter incision near the armpit and is appropriate for limited laxity in the uppermost arm. A standard brachioplasty addresses more extensive loose skin extending down the upper arm and therefore requires a longer incision.
You should be at a stable, healthy weight before brachioplasty. If you are still actively losing significant weight, it is generally better to wait until your weight has stabilized so additional weight loss does not compromise the result.
Yes. Standard brachioplasty leaves a permanent scar along the inner upper arm. It typically fades significantly over 12–18 months and is positioned to be less noticeable when the arms rest naturally at your sides.
The excess skin removed during surgery does not return. However, aging and significant weight fluctuations can affect arm contour over time. Maintaining a stable weight helps preserve the result.
The goal is a firmer, smoother, better-proportioned upper arm that looks natural with the rest of your body. A successful result balances meaningful contour improvement with a scar the patient considers an acceptable tradeoff.
Most patients return to light daily activities within 10–14 days. Lifting, overhead reaching, and strenuous exercise are generally restricted for 4–6 weeks, with final contour developing over approximately 3–6 months.
Light walking begins early, while strenuous exercise and upper-body training are generally restricted for approximately 4–6 weeks. Return to exercise should be gradual and based on medical clearance.
Overhead reaching is restricted during early healing to avoid unnecessary tension on the incisions. Normal arm movement is gradually restored as healing progresses and Dr. Roberto López Konschot clears you to increase activity.
Most international patients plan to remain in Los Cabos for approximately 7–10 days. Dr. Roberto López Konschot determines when you are medically ready to travel based on your individual recovery rather than a fixed schedule.
The medical team fee for arm lift surgery at Cabo Plastic Surgery starts at $7,500 USD, including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, first assistant, surgical garments, and pre- and post-operative consultations. Hospital and operating-room fees are separate.
| Item | Cabo Plastic Surgery |
|---|---|
| Medical Team Fee (from) | $7,500 USD |
| Hospital & Operating Room | Quoted separately |
For comparison, arm lift surgery averages approximately $10,300 USD in the United States and $8,200–$8,400 USD in California, although prices vary by surgeon and procedure complexity.
Your final quote depends on the type and extent of brachioplasty and whether additional procedures are performed.
Most international patients should plan to remain in Los Cabos for approximately 7–10 days after brachioplasty. This allows time for early recovery, post-operative evaluation, and follow-up before traveling home.
Dr. Roberto López Konschot personally monitors your recovery and determines when you are medically ready to travel. Your recommended stay may vary depending on the extent of surgery and whether other procedures are performed.
Virtual consultations are available before traveling to help plan your procedure and stay in Los Cabos.
If loose upper-arm skin is affecting your comfort or confidence, a consultation can help determine whether brachioplasty, liposuction, or another approach is best suited to your anatomy.
During your consultation, Dr. Roberto López Konschot will evaluate your arms, discuss the expected improvement and scar placement, and recommend a personalized surgical plan.
Schedule a ConsultationThis information is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace a personalized consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Every patient is unique, and recommendations regarding arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) should always be based on an individual evaluation, medical history, anatomy, and aesthetic goals.
Because medical knowledge continues to evolve, the information presented here reflects current evidence and accepted practices at the time of publication.
Last Updated: September 2026
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Roberto López Konschot, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon