Body Aesthetic Surgery
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) in Guadalajara, Mexico
An arm lift — known medically as brachioplasty — removes loose, sagging skin and excess fat from the upper arms to create a firmer, smoother, more toned contour from the armpit to the elbow. It is the definitive solution for "bat wings" — the hanging upper-arm skin that diet and exercise cannot tighten, most often left behind by major weight loss or the natural loss of skin elasticity with age. At Fibonacci Plástica, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rigoberto Castellanos plans each arm lift around your skin laxity and goals, frequently combining it with liposuction for a slimmer, more refined result. For patients traveling from the United States, Canada, and across Mexico, the practice pairs surgical expertise with full bilingual concierge support, from virtual consultation through recovery.
What is an arm lift (brachioplasty)?
Brachioplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper arm and tightens the underlying supportive tissue, leaving a firmer, more proportionate arm.
The key distinction from liposuction alone is skin: liposuction removes fat but does not remove loose, hanging skin, while a brachioplasty physically excises that skin and reshapes the contour. The trade-off is a scar — typically along the inner arm — in exchange for the dramatic removal of skin that nothing else can address. The right approach depends on how much loose skin and fat you have, which Dr. Castellanos determines during your consultation.
| Procedure | What it addresses |
|---|---|
| Liposuction only | Best for good skin elasticity with only excess fat, no real sagging. Tiny, inconspicuous incisions; addresses fat only — does not remove loose skin |
| Brachioplasty (skin excision) | Best for loose, hanging skin with little extra fat (e.g., after major weight loss). Incision along the inner arm (length varies with laxity); removes the excess skin |
| Combined brachioplasty + liposuction | Best for both excess fat and loose skin. Inner-arm incision plus tiny lipo access points; the most refined contour |
Are you a good candidate for an arm lift?
The best candidates are healthy adults with loose, sagging upper-arm skin — usually after significant weight loss or age-related loss of elasticity — who are at a stable weight and accept a scar in exchange for a firmer arm contour.
- Have loose, sagging skin on the upper arms ("bat wings") that does not respond to exercise
- Are at or near a stable weight (significant remaining weight loss should come first)
- Have completed major weight loss and your weight has been stable for several months
- Are bothered by upper-arm skin that limits clothing choices or causes chafing or rashes
- Are a non-smoker, or can stop smoking well before and after surgery
- Are in good general health with no uncontrolled conditions
- Understand and accept the scar trade-off in exchange for skin removal
If your main concern is fat rather than loose skin, and your skin still has good elasticity, liposuction alone — or a skin-tightening technology like BodyTite — may give you the result you want without a long scar. The consultation, not a checklist, determines the right plan.
What to expect during arm lift surgery
Brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes about two to three hours, depending on the incision extent and whether liposuction is combined. Surgery takes place at Centro Médico Real San José – Valle Real, an accredited hospital in Guadalajara.
After anesthesia, if liposuction is part of the plan, Dr. Castellanos first uses a thin cannula to remove excess fat and refine the contour. He then marks and removes the excess skin, placing the incision along the inner (or slightly back) surface of the upper arm where it stays as discreet as possible — from a short scar tucked in the armpit for mild cases to a longer line toward the elbow for significant laxity. The underlying supportive tissue is tightened, the skin is re-draped smoothly, and the incisions are closed in layers to support healing and minimize scar widening. You are fitted with a compression garment for the arms and discharged with detailed post-operative instructions.
Arm lift recovery timeline
Most patients traveling for surgery stay in Guadalajara for about seven to ten days, then continue recovering at home over the following weeks. Recovery centers on protecting the incisions and managing swelling; arms must be kept elevated early on, and the compression garment is worn to support healing.
| Days 1–3 | Compression garment worn continuously; arms kept elevated to reduce swelling; soreness and tightness are normal; discomfort managed with medication |
|---|---|
| Days 4–7 | Swelling and bruising begin to ease; gentle elbow movement encouraged; no lifting or reaching overhead; follow-up with Dr. Castellanos |
| Days 7–10 | Most travel-in patients are cleared to fly home; sutures checked or removed as directed |
| Weeks 2–3 | Many return to desk work and light daily activity; continue compression garment; still no heavy lifting |
| Weeks 4–6 | Strenuous exercise, upper-body workouts, and heavy lifting restricted until cleared; swelling steadily improves |
| Months 3–12 | Final arm contour settles; scars are firm and pink at first, then flatten and fade over 6–12 months with proper scar care |
Keeping your arms elevated early, wearing the compression garment as directed, and following the scar-care plan are the most important factors in a smooth recovery and the best possible scar. Our bilingual concierge team stays available throughout recovery.
Benefits of an arm lift
An arm lift delivers what no diet, exercise, or non-surgical treatment can: the physical removal of loose, hanging upper-arm skin for a firm, toned, proportionate contour.
- Removal of loose, sagging "bat wing" skin from the upper arms
- A firmer, smoother, more toned arm contour from armpit to elbow
- Better proportion between the upper arm and the rest of the body
- Freedom to wear sleeveless tops and fitted sleeves with confidence
- Relief from chafing, rashes, or irritation caused by excess hanging skin
- Long-lasting results when weight stays stable
- The option to combine with liposuction for a slimmer, more refined arm in one recovery
Beyond the physical, many patients — especially after major weight loss — describe a meaningful boost in confidence and the freedom to dress without hiding their arms.
Incision extents: mini, standard, and extended
How long the scar is depends on how much loose skin must be removed — from a short scar hidden in the armpit to an extended incision onto the chest after massive weight loss.
A mini-brachioplasty uses a short scar hidden in the armpit (axilla), typically for mild laxity near the upper arm only. A standard brachioplasty runs from the armpit toward the elbow along the inner arm, for moderate to significant upper-arm sagging. An extended brachioplasty continues from the inner arm onto the side of the chest, for loose skin extending past the armpit — common after massive weight loss. Dr. Castellanos selects the smallest incision that achieves your goal.
How much does an arm lift cost in Mexico?
An arm lift in Guadalajara is priced individually based on the incision extent, whether liposuction is combined, anesthesia, and facility fees — and typically costs significantly less than comparable surgery in the U.S. or Canada, even after travel. Because every plan is customized, your exact price is confirmed after your consultation with Dr. Castellanos.
Pricing includes the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and accredited-hospital facility costs. A combined arm lift with liposuction, or an extended incision after major weight loss, affects the total, which is why an individualized estimate is confirmed after consultation. Contact us at 1-855-735-7751 or request a virtual consultation for a full, itemized estimate.
Why choose Dr. Castellanos and Fibonacci Plástica?
Dr. Rigoberto Castellanos is a board-certified plastic surgeon with international training and a fully accredited hospital setting — the credentials that matter most when choosing a surgeon abroad.
Board-certified by the Mexican Council of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery (Cert. #2247)
International member of ISAPS and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Trained at the Universidad de Guadalajara (graduated with honors) and Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde, with advanced training in Spain and Brazil
Operates at Centro Médico Real San José – Valle Real, one of western Mexico's most advanced facilities
Skilled in body-contouring after weight loss — combining brachioplasty with liposuction for natural, refined results and discreet scar placement
Full bilingual concierge from virtual consultation through post-operative follow-up
See real patient results, learn more about your surgeon, or read about traveling for your care: Before & After Gallery · About Dr. Castellanos · Traveling for Your Care.
Frequently asked questions
Schedule your consultation
Fibonacci Plástica offers expert surgical care in a modern, accredited facility with full concierge support from arrival through recovery. Dr. Castellanos and our bilingual team will guide you through every step of your arm lift journey. Request your free virtual consultation or call 1-855-735-7751 today.
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