Upper arm lift in Frankfurt for bat wings
The upper arm lift:
At a glance
Cost
from €5,000
plus anesthesia, clinic and, if applicable, costs for 1 overnight stay
Duration
1 to 2 hours
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia or general anesthesia
Hospital stay
Outpatient, 1 overnight stay if applicable
Back to social life
After 5 to 7 days
Sports
after 4 to 6 weeks
Aftercare
Self-dissolving sutures, compression bolero for 4 to 6 weeks, lymphatic drainage, regular follow-up appointments as agreed
Tightening hanging skin on the upper arms with brachioplasty at Dr. Nichlos
Our skin has the fascinating ability to stretch enormously and thus adapt to our body. However, this elasticity has its limits. These show, among other things, when the skin and tissue on the upper arms no longer fully retract after major weight loss and hang loosely. Genetic factors such as weak connective tissue, or age, can also cause the skin on the upper arms to lose firmness, resulting in so-called “bat wings” on the inner upper arm.
For those affected, the wrinkles, dimples or skin flaps on the upper arms caused by the loss of elasticity are often a burden, especially in summer. Many deliberately avoid short-sleeved tops in the warm season and thereby lose quality of life and self-confidence.
With the upper arm lift, plastic and aesthetic surgery offers the option of surgically removing the excess skin of the upper arms, making the upper arms look younger and giving them back their natural contours. For a good result, however, it is important that the procedure is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery. Dr. med. Nichlos specializes in upper arm lifts, among other things, and performs the operation routinely in Frankfurt. Schedule an appointment now and get advice on the options for an arm lift!
What is an upper arm lift?
An upper arm lift (also called arm lifting, medical term: brachioplasty) refers to the surgical procedure for removing excess skin and fatty tissue on the upper arms. The goal of the operation is to optimize the arm contour so that, as far as possible, no hanging skin (bat wings) remains and the upper arms look firm and smooth. You can read more about skin tightening with the Leonardo® Laser in our guide Leonardo® Laser: The perfect finish after liposuction.
Experiences with the upper arm lift at Dr. Nichlos
What are the benefits of an upper arm lift in Frankfurt?
Specialist for upper arm lifts in Frankfurt
Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos has specialized in upper arm lifts for more than 17 years and has extensive experience in aesthetic body surgery.
Through the targeted removal of excess skin, Dr. Nichlos shapes firm, defined upper arms and a harmonious overall look. Dr. Nichlos personally looks after freshly operated patients. In the first 24 hours after the operation, he is available to them for questions or problems.
What are the reasons for an upper arm lift?
Most people come to our practice in Frankfurt after major weight loss or because of age-related loose skin, wishing to have their upper arms tightened. Due to the loss of elasticity, the skin of the upper arms can loosen and sag in both women and men, which many find unattractive, so they hide their arms. Excess skin cannot be tightened through massage or exercise.
Lipedema, which occurs mainly in women on the arms and legs, also often prompts patients to inquire at our practice about a lifting operation. With this fat distribution disorder, however, it is necessary not only to tighten the skin but first also to remove the fatty tissue (usually by combining it with liposuction).
What treatment methods are there for tightening the upper arms?
In an upper arm lift, Dr. Nichlos surgically removes the excess skin on the upper arms. For this, the specialist in plastic surgery uses various incision techniques, chosen according to the degree of skin stretching:
With only mildly pronounced excess skin, a mini upper arm lift with a so-called “hockey stick” incision is often suitable, running in a crescent shape and mainly in the armpit area. It can tighten skin and tissue in the upper third of the arm well, usually without major scarring.
With larger amounts of excess skin, an incision along the inner side of the upper arm makes sense, which can extend from the armpit to the elbow. With this classic upper arm lift, fat can be removed in addition to a larger amount of excess skin. If needed, the upper arm lift can be combined with liposuction for this purpose.
What happens before the upper arm lift?
Before the upper arm lift, there is a detailed personal consultation with Dr. med. Nichlos at our practice in Frankfurt. In a calm atmosphere, you can explain your wishes and ideas to him. Depending on which method for removing your excess skin comes into question, he will then explain the exact procedure of the operation and inform you about the possible risks and complications of an upper arm lift.
Following the consultation, he prepares an individual treatment plan and a cost estimate for you, in which all costs for the upper arm lift are listed in detail.
Please note: An upper arm lift is no substitute for exercise or a healthy diet. The procedure should only be performed once fat deposits or excess skin do not recede despite a healthy lifestyle.
Upper arm lift in Frankfurt: How does the surgery work?
Dr. med. Nichlos performs the surgical lift of the upper arms in the operating rooms of our affiliated clinic under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Depending on the starting condition and the amount of excess skin to be removed, the operation takes 1 to 2 hours.
Once the anesthesia takes effect and the surgical area has been thoroughly disinfected, Dr. Nichlos marks the incision lines on the skin. In choosing and making the incisions, he places great value on a scar-sparing technique. The actual operation then begins.
You lie on your back with your arms spread out. Dr. Nichlos makes the necessary skin incision and then removes the excess skin together with the tissue. In doing so, he naturally takes great care to spare the underlying blood vessels and nerves.
The skin is then carefully closed with self-dissolving sutures, and a pressure dressing or compression bandage is applied. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, with an overnight stay at the clinic if applicable.
Healing after the upper arm lift: What you should keep in mind
Give yourself and your body time so that the wound can heal well. To support healing and stabilize the result, you must wear a compression bolero for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Please wear it consistently. You are usually socially presentable after 5 to 7 days.
During this time, avoid sports and other physical exertion, especially lifting and carrying heavy objects. The arms should only be put under load again after complete healing. Please be sure to attend the aftercare appointments at our practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery in Frankfurt.
What are the risks of an upper arm lift?
Like any operation, an upper arm lift involves some general risks, even when performed properly under strict hygiene guidelines. There is a risk, albeit a small one, of secondary bleeding, wound healing problems and infections.
After the procedure, a feeling of numbness and/or tightness often occurs in the arms, but it is only temporary and usually subsides after a few weeks at the latest. In very rare cases, complications such as dying tissue (necrosis) or blood clots can occur.
How much does an upper arm lift cost in Frankfurt?
In addition, the following costs may arise with an upper arm lift:
For procedures at our partner clinics, these services are billed directly by the respective facility.
To financingWhat is included in the price?
The cost of an upper arm lift is made up of several medical services. These usually include:
- detailed consultation (€100, fully credited if you go ahead with the treatment)
- examination of the upper arms and individual surgical planning
- surgical procedure by the specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery
- medical care during the operation
- compression bolero for the healing phase
- aftercare and follow-up appointments
The cost of an upper arm lift (brachioplasty) depends mainly on the scope of the procedure and the amount of skin to be removed. Depending on the starting situation, a smaller lift in the armpit area or a more extensive lift along the upper arm may be necessary.
At our practice in Frankfurt, the cost of an upper arm lift generally starts at:
- Upper arm lift: from €5,000
The final price depends, among other things, on the extent of the excess skin, the duration of the operation and possible additional measures such as liposuction. After a personal examination, Dr. med. Nichlos prepares an individual treatment and cost plan that presents all services transparently.
Can you finance an upper arm lift?
Since an upper arm lift is a surgical procedure, the treatment can involve higher costs. It is therefore generally possible to finance it through monthly installments.
Financing is arranged through an external financing partner and can be structured flexibly depending on creditworthiness. This allows the cost of the operation to be conveniently spread over a monthly installment.
We are happy to inform you in detail about the financing options during a personal consultation.
Finance your desired treatment flexibly
You have the option of paying your treatment costs conveniently in monthly installments, tailored to your financial situation. The application is straightforward, and processing is handled by our financing partner.
Your benefits at a glance:
- Flexible monthly installments for medical and cosmetic services
- Terms of up to 72 months to choose from
- Financing also possible for smaller amounts
- Desired amount and installment size freely selectable
- Attractive terms with an effective annual interest rate of 9.90% and a fixed nominal interest rate of 9.48%
- Apply conveniently online or submit the form as a PDF
- Financing only through participating partners, subject to creditworthiness
Non-binding example calculation from a financing amount of €300 with an effective annual interest rate of 9.90% and a fixed nominal interest rate of 9.48%. Financing only through participating partners, subject to creditworthiness.
To the installment calculator
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos
Dr. med. Emmanouil Nichlos is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Frankfurt and has specialized for more than 17 years in upper arm lifts and body contouring procedures.
All content on this page has been personally reviewed by him and reflects the current medical knowledge and the specialist standards of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Frequently asked questions about the upper arm lift in Frankfurt
Who is an upper arm lift suitable for?
An upper arm lift is suitable for adults who suffer from loose skin on the upper arms, whether due to age or after major weight loss. A prerequisite is a stable body weight and good general health. No procedure should be performed during pregnancy.
Is an upper arm lift painful?
Thanks to the anesthesia, you feel nothing during the procedure. In the days afterward, there may be wound pain and a slight feeling of tightness, which can be treated well with common pain medication.
When can I exercise again after the surgery?
Sports are possible after 4 to 6 weeks at the earliest. The arms should be spared at first and only slowly put under load again. Full strain is possible after about 10 to 12 weeks, after consulting Dr. Nichlos.
Will visible scars remain?
Yes, a scar remains after an upper arm lift. It runs along the inner side of the upper arm and, once healed, is visible only during certain movements. Consistent scar care can improve its appearance.
Is the result long-lasting?
The result is long-term, but is subject to natural influences such as skin aging or weight fluctuations. These can affect the firmness of the upper arms.
Does health insurance cover the cost of an upper arm lift?
Dr. Nichlos does not hold statutory health insurance accreditation and bills privately only, so billing with statutory health insurance is not possible. For an aesthetic procedure, statutory health insurers generally do not cover the cost anyway.
Is there an upper arm lift without major surgery?
For fat deposits on the upper arms, Dr. Nichlos can tighten the skin after liposuction with the Leonardo® Laser. This is a minimally invasive alternative to major lifting operations and is suitable for soft skin. The examination clarifies whether this is enough for you or whether hanging skin makes an upper arm lift necessary.
Upper arm lift or liposuction alone: What is the difference?
Liposuction reduces fatty tissue but does not remove excess skin. If the main problem is hanging skin on the upper arms, Dr. Nichlos removes the excess skin with an upper arm lift. If fat is present as well, both procedures can be combined if needed.
Upper arm lift or skin tightening after weight loss: What is the difference?
The upper arm lift concerns the upper arms only; here you will find incision placement, procedure and scars. The page Skin tightening after weight loss gives an overview if several body regions are affected after major weight loss. The procedure on the legs is described on the page Thigh lift.
Your practice in Frankfurt’s Westend
At our practice on Grüneburgweg, Dr. Nichlos takes the time for your personal consultation. Bright rooms, short distances and a calm atmosphere help you feel well looked after from your first appointment.
Preliminary examination, consultation and aftercare take place here. Dr. Nichlos performs the surgery itself at the affiliated clinic in Frankfurt.
Plastic Surgery Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos
Grüneburgweg 95, 60323 Frankfurt am Main
Schedule a consultation now
After a diet or through natural skin aging, do you have loose skin flaps, wrinkled skin texture or dimples on your upper arms and are unhappy with your appearance? An upper arm lift can help improve this problem area, which is common in both men and women, and give your upper arms a smoother and firmer shape again. As an experienced specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery, Dr. med. Nichlos is available for a personal consultation. Simply send your inquiry through our online form.
- 1Send your inquiry via the form
- 2We will get back to you promptly
- 3Personal consultation with Dr. Nichlos at the practice
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