Sagging, bat-wing skin
Removes skin that hangs from the inner upper arm and does not respond to strength training or weight management.
Sieveking/Plastic Surgery/Arm Lift
Arm Lift in Nashville
Redefined Contour · Precise Incision Planning · Honest Counsel
If loose, sagging skin along the inner arm has kept you from wearing what you want or feeling confident in your body, brachioplasty offers a structural, lasting solution tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Redefined contour from shoulder to elbow. Incisions planned precisely. Results that look earned, not operated upon.
Structural correction. Careful tissue management. Contour that looks earned.
Brachioplasty removes redundant, inelastic skin and localized fat from the inner upper arm, typically spanning from the axilla to the elbow. It is not a weight-loss procedure: its purpose is to address skin laxity and excess tissue that remain after weight stabilization — tissue no amount of exercise or dietary change can tighten, because the issue is structural, not muscular or metabolic. The result is a firmer, more defined arm profile that moves and rests naturally alongside the body.
Dr. Sieveking approaches every arm lift with the same conservative philosophy that defines his surgical practice: precise incision planning, careful tissue management, and a commitment to contour that looks earned rather than operated upon. Liposuction may be performed concurrently to refine fat distribution, but the defining element of an arm lift is the excision of redundant skin, with every incision positioned along the inner surface of the arm, where it is least visible at rest and in motion.
The approach
The right variant for your anatomy.
The appropriate approach depends on where skin laxity begins, how far it extends, and your broader body-contouring goals. Dr. Sieveking evaluates each patient individually and recommends the variant best suited to your anatomy — with incisions positioned along the inner, medial surface of the upper arm, where they are least visible at rest and in motion.
Mini arm lift — for mild laxity confined near the axilla. A shorter incision placed within or just adjacent to the armpit minimizes visible scarring. Best for patients who have not yet developed significant excess skin along the full length of the arm.
Standard arm lift — the most commonly performed approach. An incision runs along the inner arm from the axilla toward the elbow, with length determined by the extent of laxity. It addresses moderate to significant skin redundancy, with liposuction added when indicated.
Extended arm lift — for patients whose excess skin continues onto the lateral chest wall, most often after significant weight loss. The incision extends past the axilla onto the side of the chest and is frequently coordinated with a body lift or tummy tuck.
Target concerns for an arm lift.
A surgical plan built around the concerns that brought you to consultation.
Excess skin after weight loss
Addresses laxity after significant weight loss, including bariatric surgery, once weight has been stable.
Stubborn localized fat
Fat that persists despite weight stability is often refined concurrently with liposuction.
Crepey, inelastic skin
Corrects skin texture and laxity that topical treatments cannot meaningfully improve.
Restricted wardrobe choices
Eases the discomfort with sleeveless or fitted garments that shapes what patients allow themselves to wear.
Laxity onto the chest wall
Excess skin extending past the axilla can be addressed with an extended arm lift, coordinated with body contouring.
Why choose this procedure
Benefits of a refined arm lift.
When brachioplasty is planned honestly and performed precisely, the result is a firmer, more defined arm profile that moves and rests naturally alongside the body.
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A defined contour
Redundant skin is excised directly, restoring a smoother, more toned line from shoulder to elbow that exercise alone cannot achieve.
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Freedom in clothing
Sleeveless and fitted garments become choices again rather than items quietly ruled out of the wardrobe.
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Discreet incision placement
Every incision is positioned along the inner, medial surface of the upper arm, where it is least visible at rest and in motion.
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Matched to your anatomy
From a mini arm lift near the axilla to an extended approach onto the chest wall, the variant is selected for your anatomy, not a template.
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Lasting correction
Because brachioplasty removes tissue permanently, results are long-lasting when weight remains stable over the years that follow.
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On-site accredited surgery center
Surgery is performed at the practice’s on-site accredited surgery center in Franklin — hospital-caliber safety with the privacy of a dedicated surgical practice.
With skilled closure, guided scar care, and a stable weight, most patients find the improvement in contour far outweighs the scar over time.
Before & after
Individual results vary. Discuss your goals and candidacy at your consultation.
Selected results
Elegant results, designed around the individual.
Arm lift cases are included in our full results archive — each pair represents a single patient photographed at the same angle, light, and camera.
The journey from consultation to lasting result.
01
Consultation
A clear, grounded picture
Dr. Sieveking reviews your health history, weight history, and any history of bariatric procedures. A physical assessment evaluates skin laxity, fat distribution, and how far excess tissue extends — all of which guide incision design and variant selection, from mini to standard to extended. The consultation includes an honest conversation about scar placement, recovery, anesthesia, and realistic outcomes, so you leave with a clear, grounded picture of what to expect before any surgical date is set.
02
Procedure
In the on-site accredited surgery center
Arm lift surgery is performed at the practice’s brand-new, on-site, accredited surgery center under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Dr. Sieveking marks incision lines with you standing, to ensure precise planning in the position that reflects natural posture. When indicated, liposuction is performed first to refine fat before skin excision. Deep tissue anchoring sutures reduce tension on the closure, directly influencing long-term scar quality. Surgery typically takes 1–3 hours, and most patients return home the same day.
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Recovery
Protected, guided healing
Compression bandages or a garment are applied immediately, and mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the first week are expected and managed with prescribed medications. Drains, if placed, are typically removed within a few days. Most patients with sedentary work return around 7–14 days, while overhead reaching remains restricted. Compression garment wear continues, and strenuous upper-body activity and heavy lifting are restricted for approximately 4–6 weeks as the closure gains strength.
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Results
Contour first, then the scar fades
Visible swelling resolves over the early months, and contour improvement becomes apparent after approximately 3 months. The scar is the longer story: with guided scar care — including silicone sheeting and diligent sun protection — scars soften, flatten, and fade over 6–12 months. Because brachioplasty removes tissue permanently, results are long-lasting when weight remains stable; maintaining that stability and supporting overall wellness gives patients the best foundation for preserving the result long term.
Why Sieveking
Meet Dr. Sieveking
A refined approach to arm contouring.
Stanford-trained. Triple board-certified (including The American Board of Wound Management, ABWM) plastic surgeon.
Brachioplasty demands both surgical precision and refined artistic sensibility. Dr. Nicholas Sieveking brings a credential set that is genuinely singular in Middle Tennessee: Stanford-trained, triple board-certified (including The American Board of Wound Management, ABWM) in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and fellowship-trained in anti-aging and functional medicine, with a post-residency fellowship under the legendary Ivo Pitanguy in Brazil and more than 25 years of surgical experience. He has been recognized multiple times as Best Plastic Surgeon in Nashville.
Every procedure is performed at the practice’s on-site accredited surgery center at 1200 Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin, offering hospital-caliber safety with the privacy of a dedicated surgical practice.
For patients pursuing body recontouring after significant weight loss, the practice’s integrated functional and longevity medicine program provides nutritional and metabolic support that can optimize healing and long-term results — an integration of surgical and medical expertise under one roof that no other practice in Middle Tennessee can offer.
Investment
Cost of an arm lift.
The cost of an arm lift depends on the variant performed — mini, standard, or extended — whether liposuction is added, anesthesia, and the use of the on-site accredited surgery center. Because each plan is built to the individual arm and how far the excess tissue extends, pricing is reviewed transparently at your consultation, with the full scope of the procedure and follow-up care explained.
Financing options are available for qualified patients, and HSA and FSA funds are accepted where eligible. A decision this considered deserves numbers presented the same way — clearly, completely, and before any commitment is made.
Questions, answered.
The questions most prospective patients ask before booking a consultation.
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Good candidates are adults at or near a stable, healthy weight with significant loose upper-arm skin that does not respond to exercise. Candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers or willing to stop, and prepared to accept a permanent inner-arm scar in exchange for improved contour. A consultation with Dr. Sieveking is the only way to confirm candidacy with certainty.
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Most patients with desk-based work return within 1–2 weeks of arm lift surgery. Upper-body exercise and heavy lifting are restricted for approximately 4–6 weeks while the closure gains strength. Swelling largely resolves within 1–3 months, contour improvement becomes apparent after approximately 3 months, and scars continue to mature and fade for up to 12 months.
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Yes — brachioplasty leaves a permanent scar along the inner arm. Dr. Sieveking places the incision along the medial surface so the scar is minimally visible when the arms are at rest. With skilled closure and consistent scar care, scars typically soften and flatten significantly over 6–12 months, and most patients find the improvement in contour far outweighs the scar over time.
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Yes. An arm lift pairs well with liposuction and is frequently performed alongside a body lift, tummy tuck, or breast procedures as part of a post-weight-loss or mommy makeover plan. Dr. Sieveking evaluates the safety and advisability of combination surgery on an individual basis, so the full plan is understood before any date is set.
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Because brachioplasty removes tissue permanently, results are long-lasting when weight remains stable. Significant weight gain can re-stretch the remaining skin, and aging will naturally affect skin quality over time. Maintaining a stable weight and supporting overall wellness gives patients the best foundation for preserving their results long term.
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Liposuction removes localized fat but does not address skin laxity. In patients with loose, inelastic skin, liposuction alone can worsen the appearance of sagging by reducing volume without removing the excess skin. Brachioplasty removes the excess skin itself and may include liposuction concurrently for a more complete result. The right approach depends on your anatomy and is determined at consultation.
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Begin your journey
Schedule your arm lift consultation at Sieveking Plastic Surgery in Franklin, TN.
If loose, sagging skin along the upper arms has been holding you back, brachioplasty at Sieveking Plastic Surgery offers a precise, lasting solution tailored to your anatomy and goals. Dr. Sieveking brings more than 25 years of surgical experience, Stanford-level training, and a deeply personal approach to every procedure performed at the on-site accredited surgery center at 1200 Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin. Contact our team today to schedule your private consultation and take the first step toward a contour you feel confident in.
1200 Old Hillsboro Road, B2 · Franklin, Tennessee
Mon–Thu 9–4:30 · Fri by appointment