The upper arms are one of the most common areas for men and women to store unwanted fatty tissue or develop baggy skin. Weight loss, age or genetics can leave you with flabby upper arms that don’t seem to respond to weight training, aerobics or dieting, despite your best efforts. Plastic surgeon Dr. Francesco Campanile performs upper arm lift surgery to help individuals interested in fine-tuning their upper bodies achieve more toned and youthful-looking upper arms.
At Campanile Plastic Surgery, we understand that the way you look doesn’t always reflect how you feel on the inside. That’s why we encourage post-weight loss individuals or those experiencing undesirable effects of age to learn about their cosmetic options so they can move forward with confidence. By removing loose skin and excess fat to reveal leaner, more sculpted arms, arm lifts can put the finishing touch on your weight loss journey or give aging arms enhanced definition.
Dr. Campanile brings his extensive training and experience to each arm lift, customizing each procedure to ensure that you get excellent results that reflect your cosmetic goals.
Request a Consultation
The first step in achieving your ideal figure is scheduling your consultation with Dr. Francesco. Contact us today to get started! We look forward to helping you feel great about your body.
Top 3 Reasons To Choose Us
- In addition to being a board-certified plastic surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience, Dr. Francesco Campanile prides himself on his personable, caring approach.
- Dr. Campanile’s considerable experience performing arm lifts has led him to develop skillful techniques that minimize scarring, making him one of the best plastic surgeons for an upper arm lift.
- Dr. Campanile also offers a range of other body contouring procedures at his office in Cherry Creek that can enhance your arm lift results and help you reach your goal figure.
Your Arm Lift Procedure
To begin an arm lift, Dr. Campanile carefully marks the arm to indicate incision locations and the areas of skin to be removed. The incisions are placed in the underarm and along the inside of the arm to help reduce noticeable scarring.
Through these incisions, Dr. Campanile removes excess fat and tissue before tightening the remaining skin for a leaner appearance. Dr. Campanile can also include liposuction with your arm lift for added contouring.
The incisions are then closed and bandaged. An arm lift typically takes between 2 and 3 hours to contour both arms. Most people are able to return to their normal routines within 10 to 14 days, taking care to avoid more strenuous activities for an additional several weeks.
The Best Results
As with all cosmetic surgeries, you can see the best aesthetic results with a customized approach to help you meet your appearance goals. Men and women who have had significant weight loss may choose to combine an arm lift with additional body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck or body lift.
Request a consultation to get started on your arm lift journey. And if you haven’t already, be sure to view our arm lift before and after photos to see the results Dr. Campanile has achieved for his patients. We’re here for you every step of the way and look forward to meeting with you.
Procedure Preparation Guide: Arm Lift
As one of the surgeries with the highest satisfaction rate, an upper arm lift can be one of the best options for helping you feel and look your best. However, as with other surgeries, proper preparation is key to ensuring an excellent outcome. The following set of guidelines will walk you through what to expect and how to prepare, from your initial consultation all the way through recovery.
Preparing for Arm Lift Surgery
Getting ready for your arm lift cosmetic surgery will start long before the day of your procedure. Prior to your appointment, there are several things you can do that may aid in both reducing the potential for surgical complications as well as facilitating healing after your procedure:
Personal Considerations
- Have a friend or family member near you drive you to your plastic surgery appointment and home afterward. You should also have someone who can stay with you during the first 24 hours that you’re home.
- Work out alternate arrangements for childcare during your recovery, or any other household tasks you may need assistance with.
- Have someone help with meal preparations, or cook and freeze meals ahead of time yourself.
- Rearrange your work schedule to have any important meetings or projects take place either before your surgery or after you’ve recovered.
- Take care of anything you can ahead of time, like paying bills or getting yard work finished.
Physical Considerations
- Shower before your surgery, making sure to wash the underside of your arm and your sides with antimicrobial soap. Don’t apply any makeup or lotion after your shower.
- Dress in clothing that’s simple to get on and off. A shirt that buttons down the front will be easier to manage than pulling one over your head.
- Let Dr. Campanile know if you are currently on any prescriptions, as well as any vitamins or supplements you may be taking.
- Quit smoking at least 14 days before your surgery, and give your body another two smoke-free weeks after you come home, or longer if possible.
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Arm Lift Recovery Tips
Most patients report feeling tired and a little sore after their arm lift. This is how the body lets you know that you need to rest in order to heal more quickly.
- Campanile may have you wear special compression sleeves to aid healing.
- Light activities can often be resumed in just a few days.
- Avoid activities that will put strain on or near your upper arms for at least four weeks.
- Regular exercise can be resumed after Dr. Campanile gives the okay.
The most important thing to keep in mind throughout recovery is to let your body heal at its own pace and not force the process. You can aid healing by giving your body the best tools available for recovery:
- Follow any special recovery instructions from Dr. Campanile.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid stress or overly physical activities.
- Drink lots of fluids, and eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits.
If you have any other questions or concerns about the possibility of an arm lift from our Denver practice, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 303-345-7476.
Request a Consultation
The first step in achieving your ideal figure is scheduling your consultation with Dr. Francesco. Contact us today to get started! We look forward to helping you feel great about your body.
Arm Lift FAQs
Will my arm lift scars be noticeable?
Dr. Campanile will place the incisions so the scarring is as inconspicuous as possible. However, you can expect that they will be noticeable depending on how you are holding your arms. Keep in mind that this varies between patients because every body heals differently, and your scars might fade to the point that they can barely be seen.

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
Will my insurance cover an arm lift?
Generally speaking, health insurance only covers plastic surgery when it is restorative or otherwise seen as a medical necessity. If you have excess skin on your arms that limits mobility or causes skin infections, you might be able to get partial or complete coverage of your procedure. We will contact your insurance provider to utilize your benefits if possible.

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
What should I anticipate after my arm lift surgery?
When you wake up, you will likely find that your arms are wrapped with bandages to keep swelling to a minimum. There could also be drains placed to eliminate excess fluid buildup, which could compromise your results.
Your skin may feel tight and uncomfortable for some time, and in the days following surgery, there will be some degree of pain, which you can control with the medications we prescribe. If you find the pain is greater than the medication can mitigate, we will work with you on an alternate pain management plan.
You won’t be able to drive for at least 10 days, and depending on the nature of your job, will need 1-2 weeks off work. There will be restrictions on how much weight you can lift for at least 3 weeks after surgery.

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
How soon can I exercise again after my surgery?
After surgery, you want to take care not to raise your blood pressure for at least a week, and you need to avoid anything that stresses the arms. However, you are free to exercise by walking as soon as you are comfortable. During your follow-up visit, Dr. Campanile will determine if you are ready for more intense workouts.

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
Can an arm lift be combined with other procedures?
Absolutely! Many patients like to get an arm lift as part of a total body makeover. Common procedures to combine with an arm lift include:
- Weight loss skin removal
- Tummy tuck
- Breast lift
- Liposuction

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
Will adding other procedures increase my healing time?
It is possible that additional procedures will lead to a longer recovery period, but that depends on which procedures you choose and how your body responds. Dr. Campanile will establish clear expectations for your recovery prior to surgery.

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476
How should I prepare for my arm lift?
You will be given specific instructions by Dr. Campanile. However, we generally request that patients do the following:
- Stop smoking for at least a month before your procedure
- Focus on eating healthy and staying hydrated in the weeks before surgery
- Arrange for transportation to and from the surgery and help at home
- Set up your recovery space in your home
- Stop medications as indicated by Dr. Campanile
- Fill your post-surgery prescriptions in advance

Dr. Francesco Campanile,
Telephone No.303-345-7476

Telephone No.303-345-7476