Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in Seoul, Korea

An arm lift commonly uses an incision running from the armpit along the inner arm. Tanggle Plastic Surgery in Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul offers this procedure. The questions patients ask most are answered below, each figure with its source and the date it was checked.

How much does Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) cost in Seoul?

The cost of Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) depends on the surgical scope and anesthesia, so Tanggle Plastic Surgery provides an exact quote only after an in-person consultation.

How does Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) differ from other options?

Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) differs from other options in approach and recovery, so the choice is made at consultation based on skin and tissue condition.

How does Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) differ from other lift procedures?

An arm lift commonly uses an incision running from the armpit along the inner arm. The position is easily covered by clothing, but how visible it is when the arm is raised should be checked directly. The arm is in constant everyday use, so how long compression is maintained and when you may lift the arm affect daily life more than anything else.

How is Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) performed?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons defines an arm lift (brachioplasty) as surgery that reduces excess sagging skin, tightens and smooths the supportive tissue that shapes the upper arm, and reduces localized fat. Weight fluctuation, aging and heredity cause the upper arm to droop, and the society notes this cannot be corrected through exercise.

The steps, as the society describes them:

• Anesthesia — intravenous sedation or general anesthesia; Cleveland Clinic says general or local.
• Incision — generally on the inside or the back of the arm, and it may extend from the armpit to just above the elbow. Length and pattern depend on the amount and location of excess skin; with less excess, a more limited incision may be possible.
• Fat — excess fat is excised directly or treated with liposuction.
• Tightening — the underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures, and the skin smoothed over the new contour.
• Closure — absorbable sutures, or stitches removed within one to two weeks.

The smoother contour is apparent almost immediately, with swelling and bruising, the society says. Because the inner arm shows when the arm is raised, the questions are inside or back, from where to where, and whether liposuction is combined.

How do you prepare for Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

The first question in preparing for an arm lift is whether the sag is pronounced enough to justify a long scar. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists adults with significant upper-arm skin laxity, relatively stable weight and not significantly overweight; Cleveland Clinic says scars fade somewhat but never fully disappear. With mild sag and good elasticity, liposuction alone may do, so getting that judgment first is half the preparation.

The second is bringing to consultation what determines the incision length. The incision follows the amount and location of excess skin, so if your weight is likely to change significantly the timing itself should be reconsidered (Cleveland Clinic: weight unlikely to change long term), and you should decide how much may show when the arm is raised.

Physical state — non-smoker (society), no conditions such as anemia that raise complication risk (Cleveland Clinic), and full disclosure of medications, vitamins, supplements and alcohol. Because the arms are in constant use, plan work and household tasks around several weeks in a compression garment and a period without heavy lifting.

What does recovery after Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) involve?

Right after surgery, dressings are applied and the arms are wrapped in an elastic bandage or compression garment to minimize swelling; a drain may be placed temporarily (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Cleveland Clinic says the garment is worn for several weeks and the arms are elevated on pillows as needed.

The course:

• One to two weeks — non-absorbable stitches are removed (society).
• A few weeks — swelling and bruising subside, per Cleveland Clinic; strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are avoided meanwhile.
• Scars — fade somewhat but never fully disappear.

Return to work and driving depend on how much your work uses your arms, so ask, as the society suggests, 'when can I resume normal activity and exercise?'

Call promptly — Cleveland Clinic lists signs of a blood clot, blood-soaked dressings, signs of dehydration, fever or discharge from the incision, uncontrolled pain, shortness of breath or chest pain, and changes in sensation or movement.

When should you contact the clinic after Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

Most swelling and bruising settles over time. The following, however, are described as signs to contact the clinic straight away rather than waiting for a scheduled follow-up.

• Fever — may indicate infection.
• Pain that improves and then worsens again
• Sudden swelling, especially on one side only
• Bleeding that does not stop, or a wound that opens
• Pain and swelling in one calf — the American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among the risks of this group of operations.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain — seek emergency care immediately.

ASPS notes that limited movement during recovery raises the risk of clots, so light walking is sometimes encouraged early. Ask the operating surgeon what is allowed and from when.

Ask for out-of-hours and holiday contact details before the operation. Emergency arrangements are something to confirm at consultation.

What are the risks of Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?

Every operation carries risk. The following summarises risks published by bodies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Mayo Clinic. It does not predict the outcome for any particular clinic or individual. The risks that apply to you must be explained to you directly at consultation.

• Anesthesia risks — reactions vary with the type of anesthesia used
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), cardiac and pulmonary complications — a clot forming in a deep leg vein can travel to the lungs and become dangerous. ASPS lists this explicitly; the likelihood rises with longer operating times and reduced movement during recovery. Ask at consultation how your risk is assessed and what prevention is used — compression devices, early walking and, where indicated, medication.
• Bleeding or hematoma — blood collecting at the surgical site
• Infection — at the wound site
• Poor wound healing — recovery slower than expected
• Fat necrosis — death of some fat tissue
• Skin loss or skin necrosis — where blood supply to the incision is insufficient
• Persistent pain — pain that lasts longer than expected
• Unfavorable scarring — any incision leaves a scar; the degree varies between individuals
• Asymmetry or a suboptimal aesthetic result — further surgery may be needed to correct it
• Numbness or changes in skin sensation — temporary or lasting
• Fluid accumulation (seroma) — drainage or further treatment may be required
• Skin discoloration and prolonged swelling — lasting longer than expected
• Recurrent skin looseness — skin can loosen again over time
• Possibility of revisional surgery — further surgery may be needed for correction

What most affects risk is the surgeon's qualification and experience, the facility, the anesthesia staff, and the arrangements for emergencies. Verifying these four at consultation is the most practical safety check available to a patient.

Ask directly how clot prevention is handled. Smoking, obesity, a history of clots and hormone medication are known to raise the risk — disclose them if they apply to you. Long-haul flights are relevant here: if you are travelling for treatment, ask how soon after surgery it is safe to fly.

During recovery, fever, worsening pain, sudden swelling, bleeding or wound separation — or pain and swelling in one calf, breathlessness or chest pain — should never be self-assessed. Contact the treating clinic and seek emergency care immediately. Confirm the contact route and hours before surgery, and if you are returning to another country, agree how follow-up will be handled.

What determines the cost of Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in Seoul?

What sets the price of an arm lift is the incision length — whether a shorter incision is enough or it runs from the armpit to the elbow changes the operating time, and that is the price difference. Added to that are combined liposuction, anesthesia (general or local), and whether the compression garment and follow-up visits are included.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says the surgeon's fee depends on experience, technique and location and excludes anesthesia and facility costs. Both arms are usually done together, so check whether the quote is for both arms.

Check that the quote states the incision extent and whether liposuction is included so clinics can be compared on the same terms. This site does not publish the listed clinic's prices; ranges published by bodies in other countries are on the guide page about non-covered pricing.

How do you verify a surgeon in Korea?

What separates clinics in an arm lift is where and how the scar is placed. Whether the incision goes on the inside or the back, whether it must run from armpit to elbow or can stop short, and on what evidence — that judgment is where a surgeon's skill shows. The registries are the same as for any surgery: look the surgeon up by name in the Korean plastic surgery society registries and check the clinic's specialists by field and anesthesiology in the HIRA registry.

At consultation, these questions separate the answers:

• "With my arm raised, how far does the scar show? Can you draw it for me?"
• "Could a shorter incision work for me, and why isn't liposuction alone enough?"
• "Given that the scar will not disappear, how is it managed and for how long do you follow up?"
• "How many weeks is the garment worn, and when can I raise my arms and lift heavy things?"
• "Will you operate yourself, will the consent form name you, and who provides the anesthesia?"

Clinic information