Brachioplasty is the term for the surgical procedure to reduce excessive skin of the upper inner arm. Dramatic weight loss, aging, and genetic predisposition are among the factors that create sagginess of the upper arm, often referred to as a “bat wing” deformity. The specific operation to correct a bat wing deformity is dependent on the extent of the redundant skin. Full brachioplaties remove skin from the level of the armpit to the elbow.

The full operation is the best option to correct the most severe cases of bat wing deformity. Despite the longer incisions, full brachioplasty scars are not typically visible when the arms are down. By contrast, short-scar brachioplaties are effective only in cases where the redundant arm skin is moderate and confined to the upper third of the arm. A shorter scar is less visible and more desirable in those patients who are good candidates for a short scar operation. Brachioplaties often are combined with other operations to correct redundant skin from dramatic weight loss. Like other plastic surgery procedures, brachioplaties are always customized to the specific needs of the individual patient.