An arm lift in Islamabad with Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas removes the loose skin that hangs from the upper arms, so your arms look firmer and your sleeves fit properly again.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Umbreen Munir Minhas, MBBS, FCPS (Plastic Surgery). Last updated October 2026.
An arm lift, medically called brachioplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the underside of the upper arm and tightens what remains. It leaves a scar along the inner arm, which is the trade-off for firmer arms.
About 89% of people develop excess skin after weight-loss surgery, and the arms are among the areas that bother them most.
Skin that stretched over larger arms often cannot shrink back, even after you reach a healthy weight and hold it there. The arm then looks thin above and heavy below.
Skin on the inner arm is thin and loses elasticity with age. It starts to swing when you wave or lift your arm, even if your weight has not changed.
When the arm holds both fat and loose skin, removing fat alone can leave the skin hanging more. Both need treating together for a firm result.
Heavy upper arms make kurta and blouse sleeves tight while the rest fits. Loose skin can also rub and cause rashes in the armpit during hot months.
Skin is removed through a cut hidden in the armpit. It suits a small amount of loose skin close to the armpit and leaves the shortest scar.
The cut runs along the inner arm from the armpit towards the elbow. It removes loose skin along the whole upper arm and gives the biggest change.
The cut continues from the armpit onto the side of the chest. It suits patients after major weight loss with loose skin reaching down the upper body.
Fat is suctioned from the arm first, then the loose skin is removed. This gives a slimmer, smoother arm when both fat and skin are a problem.
The upper arms look slimmer and firmer, without skin swinging when you move. The scar is visible when the arms are raised and fades over many months. Photos below are shared with consent.
Illustrative images. See Dr. Umbreen’s patient results in the before and after gallery.
Dr. Umbreen pinches the skin to see how much is loose and how much is fat. She shows you where the scar will sit, so you can decide if the trade-off suits you.
Smoking slows wound healing, so stop 4 to 6 weeks before surgery. Stop aspirin and herbal supplements 2 weeks before, and arrange help at home for the first days.
Arm lift surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. The skin is marked with your arms raised, then the excess is removed and closed in layers.
Most patients go home the same day or the next morning. Compression sleeves are fitted, and someone should help you dress and lift things at first.
| Time After Surgery | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| First 2 weeks | Lift nothing heavier than about 2 kg and keep your arms below shoulder height. |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Most people return to office work. |
| Week 3 | Moderate exercise that does not strain the arms can start. |
| Week 6 | Full activity, including arm workouts, can resume. |
Wear the compression sleeves for up to 6 weeks. Once the wounds have healed, silicone scar gel or sheets help the scar settle flatter.
A review of 1,065 patients found complications in 28.9%, most of them minor and treatable. Dr. Umbreen explains every risk before you sign consent.
It cannot remove the scar it creates or build muscle in the arm. Loose skin on the forearm or a heavy chest wall needs separate treatment.
Your fee is confirmed after consultation, once the technique is agreed. Ask for one written estimate covering surgeon, anesthesia, hospital and compression sleeves.
| Factor | How It Affects Your Fee |
|---|---|
| Technique | A short-scar lift costs less than an extended lift. |
| Liposuction | Removing arm fat in the same session adds time. |
| Anesthesia and stay | General anesthesia and an overnight stay add to the total. |
| Combined surgery | Treating other areas in the same session changes the fee. |
Ask whether the quote covers both arms and the compression sleeves, as some clinics list them separately.
Body contouring and skin surgery are listed on her public profile, and careful wound closure is what keeps a long arm scar neat. As a female surgeon, she plans scars that are easy to cover with everyday sleeves.
A pinch test decides it: fat you can grab with firm skin suits liposuction, while skin that hangs needs a lift.
| Feature | Arm Lift | Arm Liposuction |
|---|---|---|
| Main problem treated | Loose, hanging skin | Excess fat |
| Removes skin? | Yes | No |
| Scar | Line along the inner arm | Tiny marks near the elbow |
| Recovery | Longer, with lifting limits | Shorter |
| Suited to | Skin that swings when you wave | Full arms with firm skin |
Choosing liposuction alone when the skin already hangs can make the arm look looser, not slimmer.
Dr. Umbreen sees patients privately at Omer Diagnostic & Specialist Clinics (ODC), 12-A, LG Floor, CBC Plaza, G-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Monday to Friday, 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Bring your weight history, details of any weight-loss surgery and wear a sleeveless vest under your clothes for the examination.
Most patients feel tightness and soreness rather than sharp pain, especially when lifting the arms. Prescribed painkillers control it, and it eases steadily over the first week.
The removed skin does not come back. The remaining skin still ages slowly, and large weight changes can loosen it again, so a stable weight protects the result.
It shows when your arms are raised or bare, and is mostly hidden when they hang at your sides. It starts pink and usually fades to a paler line over months.
Yes, most often after major weight loss. Men usually want a straighter, more muscular arm outline, and short sleeves can still hide much of the scar.
Yes. After major weight loss it is often paired with a tummy tuck or thigh lift. Combining saves an anesthesia, though recovery is harder with several areas at once.
Wait until your weight has stopped changing for some months. After weight-loss surgery, the usual advice is at least 12 to 18 months, with your weight stable for 3 months, so the skin removed is the final amount.
Patient guides on body contouring from Dr. Umbreen’s blog.
A tummy tuck surgery, medically known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area while tightening the underlying muscles. This surgery reshapes and firms the abdomen, creating a flatter and more contoured
The core difference is this: liposuction removes stubborn fat from beneath the skin, while a tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens separated abdominal muscles. Choosing between the two comes down to what is actually causing your abdominal concern. If
A good candidate for liposuction is someone close to a stable healthy weight with firm elastic skin and localized fat pockets that resist diet and exercise. Ideal candidates generally have a body mass index under 30 are in good overall
