The Procedure
Step 1
Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2
The incision
Incision length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin to be removed, as well as the best judgment of Dr. Smith. Incisions are generally placed on the inside of the arm and may extend from the underarm (axilla) to just above the elbow.
Excess fat may be directly excised or treated with liposuction.
Depending on your specific condition, incisions may be more limited. Then, underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm.
Step 3
Closing the incisions
Your incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures.
Step 4
See the results
The smoother, tighter contours that result from brachioplasty are apparent almost immediately following your procedure, although there will likely be swelling and bruising. The aim is to improve upper-arm contour; results and recovery vary from person to person.
Rhinoplasty 5.0/5 — May 12, 2022 I highly recommend Dr. Smith for anyone considering a rhinoplasty. I am currently 8 weeks post op and I'm thrilled with my results so far. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Smith and his team at The Ottawa Clinic.
Breast Augmentation 5.0/5 — August 18, 2025 Dr. Smith is absolutely amazing, he is the most skilled surgeon in Ottawa and along with that he also has great bedside manner. I met a few surgeons for consults before I met Dr. Smith, for my breast augmentation. None of them were as thorough, knowledgable, kind, or positive as he was. From our first consult I knew I wanted him to be my surgeon. …
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty 5.0/5 — November 22, 2024 Dr. Smith is an excellent surgeon and has a great personality. I had blepharoplasty ( upper and lower eyelid) and after couple of weeks it looked really good and even better now after two months. Dr Smith is knowledgeable and well skilled and make you at ease and answers all your questions and concerns. …
Deep Plane Facelift 5.0/5 — April 4, 2025 Dr. Smith is an exceptional surgeon. physician. He and his staff are professional, kind and caring. He performed a deep plane face lift for me just two weeks ago and I am already so pleased with the results. 10 out of 10 rating for Dr. Smith.
Breast Augmentation 5.0/5 — December 21, 2023 Dr. Smith is an exceptional cosmetic surgeon who has truly transformed my life through his remarkable skill and expertise. I recently underwent a breast augmentation procedure under his care, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. From the initial consultation to the post-operative care, Dr. Smith demonstrated the utmost professionalism and compassion. …
Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck 5.0/5 — October 22, 2021 I went to Dr. Sean Smith for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), I cannot be more thrilled with the results! From start to finish, he and his team made me feel comfortable with no pressure at all. Both the clinic and the private surgery location are clean and modern with ample free parking. …
Rhinoplasty 5.0/5 — April 1, 2023 In the summer of 2022 I met with Dr.Smith to inquire about rhinoplasty surgery. I was curious and equally nervous about proceeding. It was not until I met with Dr.Smith that I felt confident and safe in my decision to proceed. …
Mommy Makeover 5.0/5 — July 24, 2026 Choosing Dr. Sean Smith for my mommy makeover was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From my very first consultation, I knew I was in the right place. Dr. Smith was patient, honest, and took the time to understand exactly what I was hoping to achieve. He explained every part of the procedure thoroughly and made me feel comfortable and confident moving forward. …
Breast Augmentation 5.0/5 — April 19, 2024 I had breast augmentation with Dr. Sean Smith, and I am extremely happy with the results. After 8 weeks post-surgery, I can confidently say he is professional and his work is beyond perfect. The pain level was minimal, only 2 out of 10, and my recovery took just 5 days before I was back to work. …
Arm Lift: Brachioplasty and Recovery
What is an arm lift? Brachioplasty removes excess upper-arm skin and reshapes the tissues beneath it. Loose skin can remain after weight loss or develop as skin elasticity changes. Dr. Sean C. Smith assesses skin excess, fat distribution and your goals at an Ottawa consultation.
Arm lift or arm liposuction? Liposuction addresses localized fat; it cannot remove substantial hanging skin. An arm lift may include liposuction when appropriate, but involves longer, permanent scars. The incision length and position depend on where skin needs to be removed.
What should I plan for? Discuss wound care, arm movement, lifting, work and help at home. Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collections, changes in sensation, delayed healing, visible scars and possible further surgery. Follow your individual activity instructions.
How much does brachioplasty cost? Request a quote for the planned skin correction, any liposuction, anesthesia and facility care. Confirm taxes, follow-up and additional charges.
Who may consider arm lift surgery?
This procedure may be appropriate for individuals who:
Experience excess or lax skin of the upper arms
Feel limited by arm contour when dressing or moving
Have noticed changes that persist despite weight stability and exercise
Are seeking functional and proportional improvement rather than dramatic contouring
Value thoughtful planning and restraint
Brachioplasty is not intended for those seeking extreme definition, trend-driven body aesthetics, or minimal-scar expectations.
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Our surgical approach
Each brachioplasty plan is developed as a surgical strategy, not a standardized technique.
Careful assessment of skin quality, tissue distribution, and overall body proportion guides every recommendation. Incision placement and the degree of correction are planned deliberately to balance improvement with thoughtful scar placement.
The objective is not to eliminate every irregularity, but to restore comfort, proportion, and confidence in a way that feels sustainable and natural.
What this procedure may address
Arm rebalancing surgery may help address:
Excess skin of the upper arms
Laxity following weight change or pregnancy
Discomfort or irritation related to skin movement
Disproportion between the arms and the rest of the body
Every surgical plan is individualized and based on anatomy rather than aesthetic trends.
Recovery After Surgery
Following your surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and your arms may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.
You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up with Dr. Smith.
Be sure to ask Dr. Smith specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?
Recovery and considerations
All surgery involves healing, swelling, and scarring.
Brachioplasty requires a commitment to recovery and scar care. Incisions are placed thoughtfully to balance access and concealment, and patients are guided through recovery with clear expectations, attentive follow-up, and ongoing support.
Recovery timelines and activity guidance are discussed in detail during consultation.
About results
Results from brachioplasty are intended to be proportional, functional, and enduring.
The goal is not a tight or sculpted appearance, but arms that feel lighter, more comfortable, and better aligned with the body over time.
A considered surgical experience
From consultation through recovery, care is delivered in a calm, private, and unhurried environment.
Patients are supported with honest guidance, thoughtful planning, and consistent follow-up, without pressure to proceed.
Moving forward
Choosing arm surgery is a personal and considered decision.
A private consultation provides the time and space to explore whether brachioplasty is appropriate for you and to discuss options carefully, without obligation.
Dr. Smith
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee. When choosing a plastic surgeon for Arm Lift, remember that the surgeon's experience and your comfort with him or her is just as important as the final cost of the surgery.
Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a Plastic Surgeon you can trust. Plastic Surgeons such as Dr. Smith, certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada meet rigorous standards:
Board certification by Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®
Completed five years of surgical training following medical school
Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety
Perform surgery in accredited hospitals and surgical facilities
Following Dr. Smith’s Plastic Surgery residency, he completed an extra year of training, completing two additional clinical Fellowships to further his expertise in the field of Plastic Surgery. Please see his biography for more details.
Do not be confused by other official sounding boards and certifications. Be sure to choose a highly trained plastic surgeon who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
This procedural information is intended strictly for educational purposes. Only models are depicted in these procedural information pages. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough, in-person consultation with Dr. Smith.
ARM LIFT
Consultation and Preparing for Surgery
During your consultation be prepared to discuss:
Your surgical goals
Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
Previous surgeries
Dr. Smith will also:
Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Take photographs
Discuss your options
Discuss likely outcomes of arm lift surgery and any risks or potential complications
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking
Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
Arm lift surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery, and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
Be sure to ask Dr. Smith questions. It's very important to understand all aspects of your arm lift procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Smith.
Results
The smoother, tighter contours that result from an arm lift are apparent almost immediately following your procedure. Initial results will be obscured by swelling and bruising and a scar will remain where the incision was made.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
The results of arm lift surgery will be long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
Following your physician's instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It's important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.
CONTACT DR. SMITH
Dr. Smith is located in Ottawa's West End. Our office features ground-level entry and offers abundant parking. Over 500 free parking spots are available.
For Ottawa appointment inquiries, please use the form.
Risks and Safety
The decision to have arm lift surgery is extremely personal, and you'll have to decide if the benefits, risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure.
The risks include:
Anesthesia risks
Bleeding
Infection
Poor wound healing
Unsightly scarring
Fluid accumulation (seroma)
Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles
Fatty tissue under the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Pain, which may persist
Sutures may not absorb, but spontaneously surface through the skin, causing irritation, drainage and redness
Possible need for revisional surgery
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Smith.
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Cost
Prices for arm lift procedures can vary. The cost will be based on the type of procedure required to address your specific needs. Dr. Smith does offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Your individualized written quote will explain the estimated cost and which services are included.