Arm reduction removes excess tissue on the upper arms, also known as ‘bat wings’ or ‘bingo wings’. This can be unsightly and uncomfortable.

An increase in skin laxity is a normal part of the ageing processes and so ‘bingo wings’ are associated with old age but they can occur earlier in patients with excessive sun exposure or heavy smokers as both of these things damage the skin and make it thinner.

The other group of patients who are affected by bat wings or bingo wings and may require arm reduction are people who have lost a lot of weight. Skin is stretched when people are overweight and when that weight is lost, often the skin does not recoil and this leaves redundant skin hanging on the arms. Massive weight loss can cause similar problems in other areas including the breast, the abdomen and the thighs, which is why, along with arm reduction, patients may require a breast uplift (mastopexy), tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or thigh lift.

The problem with bat wings or bingo wings is usually excess skin as well as fat, rather than fat alone, for this reason liposuction alone is often not sufficient to tighten the skin. This is where arm reduction (also known as brachioplasty) comes in. Arm reduction surgery involves removing the excess skin on the arms to recontour and reshape the arm. It will inevitably leave a scar, but we do our best to hide the scar where it is unlikely to be seen.

Arm Reduction

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We offer an unrivalled aftercare service following surgery and will be available to see you as often as you need for as long as you need and will never charge for follow-up appointments.

This means that if you need to go over things again in the clinic prior to your breast enlargement, you are free to come back as often as you like, you will only be charged for the initial consultation.

Remember, all of your consultations will be with your surgeon – we don’t use sales advisers so there is never any pressure to proceed.

Furthermore, we offer a free annual follow up for all of breast enlargement patients and will see you if you have any questions or concerns at any time following your surgery. As well as having a consultant-led follow up package, all of the breast implants that we use have a lifetime warranty, although the details of this varies between manufacturers and you can find more details here.

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We offer a variety of calls or in person consultations with the surgeons.

What will the scar look like?

The scar is placed along the inside of the arm and so is hidden when the arms are by the sides. However if you lift your arm up in the air, it can be seen. The scar is red and obvious to start with and will then fade in time, although it can take months for this to happen.

The scar runs from just above the elbow to the armpit and there is often an extension going along the armpit. The scar does not cross the elbow, but where it ends at the elbow, there is sometimes a bump, known as a ‘dog ear’.

Dog ears are related to how much skin is removed, the more skin that is removed, the bigger the dog ear. A dog ear will usually settle after a few months, but if it doesn’t, it can easily be removed at a later date.

What are the other potential problems?

I aim for your wounds to be healed in 2 weeks, but it can take longer, particularly in the armpit.

There can be sensory problems in that you may experience pins and needles or numbness along your arm or forearm.

These feelings are usually transient and will get better on their own, although it can take up to a year to recover. Occasionally, the numbness is permanent.

Our Arm Reduction Brachioplasty Work

Some words from our patients

“Simply amazing. I never thought it was possible to feel so at ease about a piece of my skin being cut out of my arm! Both Jonathan and the nurse were fantastic. If I have ever had any questions, Jonathan was only ever an email away and I always felt like I could attend the Surgery should I need further advice. If I ever needed anything in future, Staiano Plastic Surgery would be my first point of call.”

Words by CS
Procedure: Arm Reduction Brachioplasty

“The results are amazing, I had totally forgotten how my breasts looked before surgery, well I can honestly say that i am sooooooo happy :-), you have done wonders and I would recommend you to everyone.”

Words by JG
Procedure: Arm Reduction Brachioplasty