Why I Finally Decided to Get a Double Arm Lift (and What It Was Really Like)

1,991 words, 11 minutes read time.

This post is very personal and shares some of my own insecurities about my body. Any comments I make about my shape or size are only about me, not about anyone else.

There are also a few somewhat graphic photos in this post showing after my double brachioplasty surgery. Nothing gratuitous, but it does show incisions and bruising.

I never really planned on sharing this, which is why the photos you’ll see below aren’t the best quality. It may not stay up forever because, like most people, I sometimes second-guess myself. If you choose to comment, please keep it kind and positive.

Today’s post is a little different from my usual content. It’s about my body and the surgery I chose to have. If that’s not your thing, feel free to skip to another post.

I’m sharing my experience with double brachioplasty surgery, also known as an arm lift, along with before and after photos, in case it helps someone who’s been thinking about the same procedure.

I decided to have the surgery after losing more than 100 pounds. I’m not going into that part of my story here because it’s very personal and can easily shift into unhealthy territory. I’m also not a medical professional, so I’m not comfortable discussing weight loss. This is simply me sharing my own surgical experience. Plastic surgery is such a personal choice, and this was mine.

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Should I even get a double brachioplasty surgery?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been considered plus-size by typical standards. I still vividly remember being in sixth grade and wearing size 11 junior jeans. That number doesn’t seem large to me now, but at the time, for someone who had always struggled with their body image and was entering one of the most self-conscious, hormonally-charged stages of life, it felt huge. One of my biggest insecurities back then- and honestly for many years since- was my arms.

Fast forward to 2024, when I had lost the weight. And guess what? I did lose weight in my arms, but they were still one of my biggest insecurities for a completely different reason. While they were much smaller, they now had loose skin that hung in a way I wasn’t comfortable with. I could hide it easily enough by keeping my arms down at my sides or wearing longer sleeves, but it was still something I thought about all the time.

I had thought about surgery before, but it felt vain to put myself through another procedure for cosmetic reasons. I went back and forth for months, questioning whether it was worth it. Someone I knew had just gone through plastic surgery and ended up with complications that required another operation only a month after their initial procedure. That made me stop and think. Did I really want to risk that? Could I take the time off from work? Could I risk never waking up from anesthesia for something as seemingly trivial as liking the way my arms looked?

Those questions stayed with me for a long time before I finally decided to schedule a consultation with a local plastic surgeon. I don’t know if I ever got over the whole anxiety of the procedure until well after recovery.

At my consultation, I asked the normal questions about the procedure, the recovery, and the most important question: the cost. The total procedure would cost me $5,120.00, including his fees and hospital fees. (I live in rural Georgia.)

After much contemplation and discussion with my family, I made the appointment to move forward with surgery.

I was approved for a Care Credit Card, which lets me pay for the surgery in full with 0% interest if I pay within 24 months. I do not recommend putting anything on a credit card unless you can afford it. I knew that I could afford the cost, and this was a great way to go ahead with surgery without having to wait to save.

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Double Brachioplasty Surgery Day

The day of surgery dawned bright and early, with my sweet moma driving me to the hospital and staying with me. My wonderful doctor marked me up, and the marker was definitely everywhere.

One minute, I was peacefully drifting off after getting the magic juice in my IV. The next, I was waking up in recovery. Surgery really is one of the stranger experiences in life. This was my third surgery in as many years, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.

The nurses had wrapped me in compression bandages and my compression garment (which you will need for a full month post op to reduce swelling), the doctor had placed the drains, and before I knew it, I was on my way to my parents’ house for a week of recovery.

The first day was a blur of post-surgery drowsiness. I slept on and off for almost 24 hours. Even though I had been starving before surgery, I only managed a few crackers before crawling back into bed to sleep off the anesthesia. The pain was muted simply because I could barely stay awake. I had to lie flat on my back with my arms propped on pillows.

The second day was when the real pain kicked in. That’s the day I remember most. I took my pain medicine as prescribed and moved from the guest bed to my parents’ couch. My arm movement was limited both by the pain and the tight bandages, so I relied on my mom for almost everything. Yes, even bathroom trips. If you are thinking about having double brachioplasty surgery, you will absolutely need a recovery partner for the first couple of days. I will say this: everyone’s healing is different, but by day three, I was able to manage a lot more on my own, but I am so thankful for my moma.

By the third day (time runs together), my sisters and my mom helped me unwrap the bandages so I could take a post-op shower. I was stunned by what I saw. The difference in the amount of skin was astounding. After my shower, we replaced the compression bandages and put my compression garment back on. I felt like a new person. The post-op shower is another level.

Once I got over the initial pain, I stopped taking the pain medication and just took Tylenol. I can hands down say that the worst part of recovery was the drains. They were cumbersome in their placement because they were exactly at the bottom of my arm, where I propped my arms on pillows while on the couch. I was just not fully comfortable for the week I had them, whether sitting or lying down. I also was not a big fan of squeezing and measuring the fluid output.

I did bruise quite a bit, and I think that had to do with the liposuction I had for contouring in my arm. It looked more gnarly than it felt.

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Items needed after a Double Brachioplasty Surgery

Before surgery, I stocked up on a few things that made recovery so much easier. Here are the 3 things I highly recommend if you have a double brachioplasty surgery!

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Double Brachioplasty Surgery Recovery Continues

When I finally got my drains removed, I was a brand new person. I still had to wear my compression garment for a month, but honestly, I loved the feeling of it. They made me feel better, if that makes sense, almost like an anxiety relief that my arms were somewhat insulated and protected.

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Post-op Double Brachioplasty Surgery

Recovery is mostly complete by six months, though subtle improvements can continue up to a year after surgery.

Recent minor revision post double brachioplasty surgery

I went back to see my plastic surgeon just last month (July 2025) for a small in-office revision on my arm. He and the nurse who have been with me through this whole process were both really impressed with how my scars have healed. No keloid issues, just a clean, smooth line. There is still some color to it, but honestly, it does not bother me at all.

I did have a little buckle in my scar near my elbow that I asked to be removed because I could see it when my arm was down. It was just a minor thing, but it bothered me. He saw it in person and completely agreed.

The small revision I had in his office was quick and easy. The worst part about it all is the numbing shot and the sounds of the skin being trimmed. YUCK.

Some days, I do continue to wear the silicone scar tape on my revision incision since I had some from my first surgery leftover, and I am hoping it flattens the scar like my others. It is also another layer of protection against the sun causing hyperpigmentation.

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Honestly, I don’t mind the scars, and I wear them with pride! Would I go through a double brachioplasty surgery again, knowing what I know now? Absolutely. The confidence it has given me is worth every bit of the recovery process. Wearing sleeveless tops without a second thought, not worrying about how my arms look in photos, and feeling more comfortable in my own skin have all been huge for me. The surgery was an investment in how I feel about myself every single day, and for me, that has made it completely worth it.

Tips for your double brachioplasty surgery:

• Choose a local surgeon. Not only is it best in case of complications, but you can also see them more easily if you need revisions, like I did!
• Do it in the cold season. You can comfortably wear your compression garment under sweaters and sweatshirts. It also gives you good coverage from the sun as you’re healing, so your scar doesn’t change colors from UV exposure.
• Having patience is key. You MUST take it easy for the first 4-6 weeks post-surgery. Don’t overdo it and don’t rush the healing. Your arms are definitely something that you use all the time, but trust me, allow yourself to heal slowly, and I promise, the recovery will be a blip in the past eventually.
• Moisturize around the incision area, but avoid harsh scrubbing.
• Take care of your mental health! It’s normal to still feel a bit “off” with your body image or energy level a month out. Celebrate the progress you’ve made, even if your arms aren’t fully healed yet.