Arm lift in Turkey

The term “brachioplasty” comes from the Greek words brachion (arm) and plastós (to shape). It is a cosmetic procedure that aims to remove excess skin and fat deposits in the upper arm. Surgical lifting helps to improve the contours of the arms, eliminate sagging skin, and get rid of the so-called “batwing effect.” The first mentions of such a procedure date back to the 1930s. Since then, the technique has been significantly improved, allowing surgeons to achieve excellent aesthetic results.

The popularity of arm lifts among patients is growing rapidly. According to Grand View Research, the global brachioplasty market was worth USD 1.35 billion in 2022. Moreover, the company forecasts an average annual growth rate of approximately 7.1% until 2030.

You can see before and after photos of lifts on the Experts Medical website. We only publish authentic work by surgeons with whom we directly collaborate, which guarantees the reliability of the results presented.

If you are considering an arm lift in Turkey, here are five compelling reasons to choose this option:

1. High competition among surgeons. According to ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), Turkey ranks second in the world in terms of the number of plastic surgeons and clinics. Such market saturation encourages doctors to improve their skills and offer favorable conditions to attract patients.
2. Affordable cost with high quality. The price of brachioplasty in Turkey is 30-40% lower than in Europe, the US, and the UK. At the same time, the quality of plastic surgery here is at the same high level.
3. Modern clinics and accredited specialists. There are a large number of JCI-accredited aesthetic medicine centers in Turkey, and most plastic surgeons have international certification (ISAPS, EBOPRAS).
4. Maximum convenience for the patient. Turkish clinics often operate on an “all-inclusive” basis. The package includes all necessary services: transfer, hotel booking, interpreter, medical support, and post-operative rehabilitation.
5. Recovery after surgery at a resort. Thanks to the healing Mediterranean climate and the country’s wide range of tourist opportunities, post-operative recovery for patients here is as comfortable as possible.

Turkish doctors list the following as direct indications for brachioplasty:

• excess skin of more than 3-4 cm when the arms are raised;
• loss of skin elasticity after the age of 45 with pronounced ptosis;
• significant weight loss (20 kg or more) with the formation of skin folds;
• genetic predisposition to sagging skin on the arms;
• ineffectiveness of conservative methods (exercise and hardware techniques) for 6-12 months.

When liposuction of the arms is sufficient:

• age up to 35-40 years with good skin elasticity;
• local fat deposits without excess skin;
• minimal skin ptosis (up to 2-3 cm);
• good muscle tone in the shoulder area.

Liposuction VS Brachioplasty

All modern methods of surgical arm correction are available in Turkish clinics. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Mini arm lift (Mini Brachioplasty)

Suitable for patients with moderate skin laxity and a small amount of excess fat in the shoulder area. An 8-12 cm incision is made in the armpit area, which allows the scar to be hidden in a natural fold. The operation is performed under local anesthesia with sedation and lasts 1-1.5 hours. Main indications: mild skin ptosis without significant fat deposits, when the problem is mainly localized in the armpit area. Recovery takes 7-10 days.

Classic brachioplasty (Full Brachioplasty)

This is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting the back of the arm from the armpit to the elbow by removing excess skin and fatty tissue. A 20-30 cm incision is made from the armpit to the elbow area along the inner surface of the arm. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts 2-3 hours. It is recommended for patients with significant excess skin along the entire length of the arm, which often develops with age or after significant weight fluctuations. The rehabilitation period is 14-21 days with limited physical activity.

Extended Brachioplasty

This is a specialized surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the shoulders, affecting the lateral surfaces of the body. The incision runs from the armpit area to the lateral surface of the chest, allowing two anatomical areas to be corrected simultaneously. This procedure is most often recommended for patients after significant weight loss. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and lasts 3-4 hours. Patients require inpatient observation. The recovery period lasts 21-28 days with a gradual return to activity.

Comparison of Brachioplasty Methods

For brachioplasty in Turkey, it is usually necessary to plan a stay of 7–10 days. On the first day, a consultation and preoperative examination are conducted, and on the next day, the surgery is performed. Hospitalization takes 1–2 days, after which the patient remains under the surgeon’s outpatient supervision until the stitches are removed and a follow-up examination is performed before departure.

Comparative table: the cost of arm lifts in different countries

Stages of Brachioplasty in Turkey

1. CONSULTATION
   Discussion of the desired result and surgery planning
   
2. EXAMINATION
   Performing laboratory and instrumental tests to assess health
   
3. ANESTHESIA
   General anesthesia for standard arm lift, local + sedation – for mini-lift
   
4. SURGERY
   Removal of excess skin and fat, wound closure
   
5. RECOVERY
   Selection of compression garments, consultation with a plastic surgeon

After an arm lift, a linear scar remains. With a mini-lift, the scar is 8–12 cm long and is located only in the armpit area and is easily hidden by the natural skin fold. With a classic operation, the scar extends 20–30 cm along the entire shoulder, and with extended brachioplasty, it can continue to the side of the chest.

For the first two weeks, the scar looks red and swollen, which is a normal tissue reaction to surgery. By the end of the first month, the inflammation subsides, the scar becomes less noticeable, and begins to lighten. After 3-6 months, the scar takes on a pinkish hue and flattens significantly. The scar is fully formed after 12-18 months, when it becomes a thin white line.

The quality of healing largely depends on following the post-operative recommendations. Turkish surgeons use modern suturing techniques and special silicone patches that minimize tissue tension and promote the formation of a neat scar. With proper care and no complications, the scar becomes virtually invisible after a year.

The most common complications after arm lift surgery are:

• Swelling and bruising are a natural reaction of the body. They disappear after 10-14 days with rest and wearing compression garments.
• Infectious complications are prevented by a preventive course of antibiotics and thorough treatment of the sutures with antiseptics. 
• Suture separation is more likely to occur if restrictions on heavy lifting and sudden arm movements are not observed during the first 3 weeks.
• Thickened keloid scars develop in predisposed patients, so Turkish surgeons always determine the tendency to form keloids during the consultation. Prevention includes the use of silicone patches from the first days of healing and a course of physiotherapy.
• Impaired skin sensitivity in the arm is temporarily observed in 15-20% of patients and completely disappears after 3-6 months.
• To prevent seroma, drainage is installed for 1-2 days, and patients also need to wear compression garments for a month after brachioplasty.

Experts Medical carefully selects clinics and doctors, so the risk of complications is reduced to almost zero. But even if something goes wrong, you will not be left alone with the problem. We are always available and ready to help quickly in any situation.

Mini lift:

• first 3-5 days: home rest, slight discomfort;
• 7-10 days: removal of stitches, return to work;
• 2 weeks: light physical activity is allowed;
• 1 month: full recovery of activity.

Classic arm lift:

• First week: bed rest, mandatory rest for the arms;
• 10-14 days: removal of stitches, gradual activation;
• 3-4 weeks: return to work and daily activities;
• 6-8 weeks: sports and heavy lifting are permitted.

Extended brachioplasty:

• First 10 days: inpatient observation, strict rest;
• 2-3 weeks: removal of stitches, limited activity;
• 4-6 weeks: gradual return to work;
• 8-12 weeks: full recovery, all activities permitted.

Compression garments must be worn for 4-6 weeks for all types of surgery.

If there are no contraindications, arm lift surgery in Turkey can be combined with liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast lift, or facelift. This approach allows for comprehensive correction of appearance and savings on anesthesia and hospitalization.  

Two weeks before the operation, you must stop taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and certain dietary supplements. Smoking should be avoided for at least a month before the procedure, as nicotine slows down tissue healing and increases the risk of complications.

What to bring with you to the clinic:

• compression sleeves (can be purchased at the clinic);
• comfortable clothing with wide sleeves and front fastenings;
• medical documents.

When booking an operation, Turkish doctors usually provide a detailed list of items required for hospitalization. 

It is recommended to conduct a full assessment of the result no earlier than one year after any type of surgery.

If you are planning to get a hand lift in Turkey, simply contact Experts Medical—we will take care of everything else. Our team will help you choose a clinic and surgeon based on their experience, results, and success rates in performing brachioplasty. We work only with trusted specialists, selected over 9 years, and know the inner workings of each clinic. This helps to avoid mistakes and choose the option where the likelihood of an excellent result will be highest in your specific case.

We will arrange an online consultation with a doctor, clarify the cost and everything included in the package, and organize transportation to and from the clinic so that you don’t have to waste energy on stress and unnecessary hassle. We are always in touch, communicate directly with the doctor, and act as your “advocate” in resolving any issues. Our goal is to ensure that your surgery is comfortable, safe, and brings the desired result.

Published on 15.08.2025