Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) in Seoul, Korea
An individualized arm lift for loose upper-arm skin, with four incision ranges and optional arm liposuction when excess fat is also present.
Do you need arm liposuction, an arm lift, or both?
The correct treatment depends on whether the main concern is fat, skin laxity, or a combination of both. Photos can guide an initial recommendation, but skin quality and the exact excision range are confirmed during examination.
✓ Liposuction may be enough
You have excess arm or armpit fat, but the skin is reasonably elastic and returns after being gently pinched. Learn about upper-arm liposuction.
✓ Brachioplasty may be appropriate
You have hanging or folded skin after weight loss, aging or loss of elasticity. Removing skin creates a tighter contour but requires accepting a permanent scar.
✓ A combined procedure may help
You have both excess fat and loose skin. Liposuction shapes the fatty layer, while brachioplasty removes the remaining skin. The two procedures have separate fixed fees.
Brachioplasty cost in Korea
Evita Clinic classifies arm lift surgery by the actual length and location of skin removal. Choosing a shorter scar does not provide the same correction as a longer operation.
Axillary Brachioplasty
Approximately 5–6 cm of skin is removed within the armpit. This is for very limited laxity concentrated at the axillary fold, not generalized upper-arm sagging.
Korea stay: minimum 5 days; recommended 7 days
Mini Brachioplasty
Skin removal extends from the armpit over approximately half of the upper arm. It treats localized proximal-arm laxity that exceeds what an axillary-only excision can correct.
Korea stay: minimum 7 days; recommended 10 days
Standard Brachioplasty
A longer incision extends along the arm from the lateral armpit toward the elbow. It is designed for loose skin involving most of the upper arm.
Korea stay: minimum 10 days; recommended 14 days
Extended Brachioplasty
The excision extends from the inner armpit toward the elbow to address laxity involving both the upper arm and axillary or lateral-chest transition.
Korea stay: minimum 14 days; recommended 21 days
Fixed fees include 10% VAT, consultation, anesthesia, surgery and routine postoperative clinic care. Postoperative medicines and compression garments are not included. Arm and armpit liposuction, when needed, is a separate fixed procedure at ₩2,750,000 KRW.
The scar must match the area of loose skin
The operation is selected by where the skin hangs—not simply by a preference for the shortest scar. Removing skin only at the armpit cannot reliably tighten laxity near the middle of the arm or elbow.
| Procedure | Area corrected | Typical scar range | Main limitation | Korea stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axillary | Armpit fold only | About 5–6 cm within the armpit | Does not correct mid-arm or elbow laxity | 5 days minimum 7 days recommended |
| Mini | Proximal half of upper arm | Armpit into part of the upper arm | Residual skin may remain farther down the arm | 7 days minimum 10 days recommended |
| Standard | Most of the upper arm | Lateral armpit toward elbow | Long visible scar is unavoidable | 10 days minimum 14 days recommended |
| Extended | Upper arm plus axillary/lateral-chest transition | Inner armpit toward elbow with axillary extension | Longest wound and greater recovery burden | 14 days minimum 21 days recommended |
When is arm liposuction added?
Liposuction is added when a meaningful fatty layer contributes to arm size or when the armpit and upper-arm contours need to be connected. It is not automatically required for every arm lift.
- Skin laxity with little fat: skin excision alone may be sufficient.
- Fat with elastic skin: liposuction alone may be more appropriate.
- Fat plus laxity: combining the procedures can improve both volume and redundant skin.
- Very thin post-weight-loss arms: aggressive fat removal may worsen irregularity and compromise wound circulation.
Separate fixed fee
Arm and armpit liposuction, both sides
Korea stay for liposuction alone: minimum 3 days; recommended 5 days. When combined with brachioplasty, follow the longer stay required for the arm lift.
How arm lift surgery is performed
The final skin-removal design is made while standing and is checked again before surgery. The operation is performed under monitored twilight sedation with tumescent local anesthesia.
Examination and design
Dr. Francis Jeon evaluates fat thickness, skin quality, the hanging area, asymmetry and the relationship between the arm, armpit and lateral chest.
Liposuction if needed
Fat is reduced conservatively when it contributes to the contour, while preserving tissue needed for wound healing and a smooth transition.
Skin excision
The planned segment of loose skin is removed. The wound is closed in layers with attention to tension, symmetry and scar placement.
Recovery monitoring
ECG, oxygen saturation and blood pressure are monitored. Patients are discharged the same day after meeting recovery criteria.
What is recovery like after brachioplasty?
Recovery depends on incision length and whether liposuction is combined. Swelling, tightness, temporary numbness and limited arm elevation are expected early.
What brachioplasty can improve
- Reduce hanging or folded upper-arm skin
- Create a smoother transition from the armpit toward the elbow
- Improve arm proportion after major weight loss
- Reduce excess volume when liposuction is also appropriate
- Make fitted clothing more comfortable for some patients
The operation improves contour but does not create perfectly identical arms or erase all skin texture. Weight change and aging continue after surgery.
The main trade-off is the scar
Every skin-removal operation leaves a permanent scar. Axillary scars may be visible with the arms raised, while standard and extended scars run along a longer part of the arm.
- Scar width, color and elevation vary by individual healing.
- Armpit wounds experience motion, moisture and tension, which can delay healing.
- Steri-Strips, silicone, injections or other scar care may be recommended.
- Scar revision is considered only after adequate maturation, usually not early in recovery.
Important considerations before an arm lift
Longer excisions provide more correction but also create a larger wound and greater healing burden. Individual risk depends on health, smoking, BMI, tissue quality and the extent of combined surgery.
Wound and scar risks
- Delayed healing or wound separation
- Wide, raised, hypertrophic or keloid scar
- Infection, bleeding, hematoma or seroma
- Skin-edge circulation problems or tissue loss
Contour and sensation
- Asymmetry or residual laxity
- Contour irregularity or over-tightness
- Temporary or persistent numbness
- Pain, firmness or pulling with movement
General surgical risks
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Arm or hand swelling and lymphatic disturbance
- Blood clots or cardiopulmonary complications
- Need for prolonged wound care or revision
Brachioplasty questions
What is brachioplasty?
Brachioplasty, or arm lift surgery, removes loose upper-arm skin through an incision selected to match the affected area. Liposuction may be added when excess fat is also present.
What is the difference between arm liposuction and an arm lift?
Arm liposuction removes subcutaneous fat through small access incisions but cannot remove significant hanging skin. An arm lift removes skin through a longer incision. If both fat and laxity are present, the procedures may be combined.
Can I choose an axillary arm lift to avoid a long scar?
Only if the loose skin is concentrated near the armpit. An axillary incision cannot adequately tighten laxity extending through the middle or lower upper arm. Choosing a short scar despite wider laxity usually means accepting residual loose skin.
What happened to the term “micro brachioplasty”?
Evita Clinic now uses the clearer name Axillary Brachioplasty for the limited 5–6 cm armpit skin excision. It describes the anatomical location and avoids implying that the procedure can correct the full upper arm through a tiny scar.
When is Extended Brachioplasty needed?
Extended Brachioplasty is considered when laxity involves not only the upper arm but also the inner armpit or transition toward the lateral chest. It requires the longest excision and a longer recommended stay.
Will arm lift scars be visible?
Yes. All brachioplasty techniques leave permanent scars. Axillary scars can show when the arms are raised, and standard or extended scars run along the arm. The final width, color and thickness depend on incision tension, aftercare and individual healing.
What anesthesia is used?
Evita Clinic uses tumescent local anesthesia combined with monitored twilight sedation rather than general anesthesia. ECG, oxygen saturation and blood pressure are monitored during surgery and recovery.
Do I need to stay in the hospital?
No routine overnight admission is required. Patients are monitored after surgery and discharged the same day after meeting safety criteria. A responsible adult should accompany the patient after sedation.
How long should I stay in Korea?
The current minimum and recommended stays are 5 and 7 days for Axillary Brachioplasty, 7 and 10 days for Mini, 10 and 14 days for Standard, and 14 and 21 days for Extended Brachioplasty.
When can I exercise or lift with my arms?
Walking is encouraged early, but reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting are restricted while the wounds heal. Heavy lifting and upper-body exercise resume only after medical clearance, often after several weeks and later when wound healing is delayed.
How long do I wear the compression garment?
Evita Clinic generally recommends arm compression for at least 8 weeks, although the schedule may be adjusted. The garment must not cause painful pressure, worsening hand swelling, numbness or deep folds.
Are the results permanent?
Removed skin does not grow back, and results can be long-lasting when weight remains stable. Aging and future weight changes can still alter the arms over time.
Arm contouring by Dr. Francis Jeon
Dr. Francis Jeon is a board-certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon and the founder of Evita Clinic in Seoul. Since establishing the clinic in 2009, he has focused on gynecomastia, breast surgery and body contouring for Korean and international patients.
His brachioplasty planning balances the amount of skin that needs correction with scar length, wound tension, tissue circulation and safe operating time. The goal is a proportionate improvement with a scar appropriate to the actual area of laxity.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Francis Jeon · Last reviewed: July 21, 2026
Find out which arm lift range fits your anatomy
Send clear front, back and side photos with your arms relaxed and lifted approximately 90 degrees. Please include your age, sex, height, weight, weight-loss history, medical conditions, medications, smoking status and whether your weight is stable.
Our English coordinator replies during Korea business hours (Mon–Fri, 10:00–18:00 KST).