Body · Arm Lift Surgery (Brachioplasty) · Dubai
Are you considering arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) in Dubai to enhance your appearance and confidence? Finding the right board-certified specialist is the most critical step in your journey. This guide covers what you need to know about the procedure, recovery, and what to expect from a premier aesthetic clinic in Dubai.
This illustration is for educational purposes only, intended to explain the surgical technique. Individual results and anatomical requirements vary per patient.
What is
Photographs published with patient consent. The referenced procedure is the only visible change.
The Patient Journey: What to Expect
From your first consultation to full recovery, here is what to expect at every stage.
A thorough physical assessment and treatment planning session to align your expectations with anatomical possibilities.
Customized instructions to ensure optimal health and safety before your procedure, based on your individual medical profile.
Performed under appropriate anesthesia in a state-of-the-art facility, with a focus on precision, safety, and natural-looking outcomes.
Dedicated post-operative care and follow-up appointments to monitor progress. Recovery timelines depend on individual anatomy and healing response.
EBOPRAS · MD PhD · 20 yrs
Every procedure on this page is performed by Dr. Bouraoui Kotti — EBOPRAS-certified plastic surgeon, MD PhD, with over 20 years of international experience. Review his credentials, training, and clinical philosophy before your consultation.
View Dr. Kotti's Surgeon ProfileBrachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm — from the underarm to the elbow — to restore a firmer, more contoured profile. It directly addresses the loose, hanging skin often called "bat wings," which develops after significant weight loss, bariatric surgery, or age-related skin laxity. No amount of exercise can tighten skin that has permanently lost its elasticity, making surgery the definitive correction.
Good candidates are adults with excess hanging skin on the upper arms that has not responded to exercise or weight management — typically following major weight loss, bariatric surgery, or due to age-related skin changes. Ideal candidates are at or near a stable body weight, in good general health, non-smokers (or able to stop for the required period), and have realistic expectations about outcomes and scarring. Candidacy is assessed individually during clinical consultation.
Excess upper arm skin develops when skin is stretched beyond its capacity to retract — most commonly after significant or rapid weight loss, bariatric surgery, or as a result of aging and progressive skin laxity. Once skin has permanently lost its elasticity, it cannot contract regardless of muscle tone or further weight reduction. This is an anatomical condition, not a fitness issue, and surgical excision is the only effective correction.
No. Exercise can strengthen the underlying triceps muscle but cannot tighten or reduce redundant skin. Skin that has been permanently stretched beyond its elastic capacity will not retract with diet or training alone. Brachioplasty addresses this directly by excising the excess tissue.
Brachioplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. An incision is made along the inner arm — from the axilla to the elbow — to excise excess skin and associated fat. Where localized fat is present, liposuction may be used in combination. The remaining skin is tightened and closed. Incision length, placement, and technique are planned individually based on the extent of excess and the patient's anatomy.
The incision is typically positioned along the medial (inner) surface of the upper arm, running from the axilla toward the elbow. Exact length and placement depend on the degree of skin excess. This location is designed to remain discreet when the arms rest at the sides. A shorter, axillary-only incision may be appropriate for minimal excess. Incision planning is discussed in detail during the pre-operative consultation.
Yes. In patients with both excess skin and localized fat deposits in the upper arms, liposuction can be performed in the same session to refine the contour and address areas where fat — rather than skin alone — is the primary concern. The appropriateness of combining procedures depends on individual anatomy and is assessed during consultation.
Most patients resume light daily activities and desk-based work within 1–2 weeks. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and overhead movements are restricted for 4–6 weeks. Compression garments are worn during the initial recovery period. Swelling gradually subsides over several weeks, and final contouring develops over 3–6 months. The personalized recovery protocol is provided during consultation and post-operative follow-up.
Brachioplasty leaves a linear scar along the inner arm, from the axilla toward the elbow. Scar length depends on the extent of skin excision. With proper aftercare and sun protection, scars mature and fade significantly over 12–18 months. Scar placement, management, and expected evolution are discussed in full during the pre-operative consultation.
Yes. Brachioplasty is one of the most commonly requested body contouring procedures following significant weight loss, including bariatric surgery. It is generally recommended to wait until body weight has been stable for at least 6–12 months before surgery, to allow tissue conditions to stabilize. Timing and suitability are assessed during the clinical consultation.
The structural correction — removal of excess skin — is durable provided body weight remains stable. Significant weight fluctuation after surgery may affect the remaining skin. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle supports the longevity of outcomes. Final results are monitored during follow-up appointments.
The cost depends on surgical complexity, the extent of skin excess, whether liposuction is combined, anaesthesia, and facility standards. An in-person clinical assessment is required for an accurate, personalized estimate.
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MD PHD EBOPRAS* Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dubai, UAE
Specialist Plastic Surgeon · EBOPRAS Certified · Dubai UAE
Dr. Bouraoui Kotti is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (EBOPRAS-certified) with over 20 years of clinical experience, providing aesthetic and reconstructive surgery based on international standards.
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