Age, significant weight loss, and bariatric surgery – these are a few of the reasons a patient might develop excess tissue and sagging skin on their upper arms. To combat this, JanigaMDs offers the brachioplasty procedure, or arm lift surgery, to address excess skin through conservative cosmetic surgery techniques. This cosmetic procedure is designed to tighten and remove excess fat and skin from the upper arm. Dr. Timothy Janiga has found this procedure to be effective for both men and women who are self-conscious about excess tissue and sagging upper arm skin.
The most common concern that people will come to our office with for an upper arm lift is hanging skin, tissue, or fat on the upper arms that many people refer to as “bat wings” or “bingo wings.” Although this can be partially genetic, this condition is usually due to a variety of factors, often including losing weight, getting older, and experiencing skin laxity.
If these concerns sound familiar to you, or you’ve experienced significant weight loss recently, you are likely a good candidate for an upper arm lift. This surgery can tighten excess remaining skin on the arms while removing excess tissue that pulls this area down with gravity. The best candidates should be generally healthy adults at a stable weight who have reasonable expectations for the results this procedure can provide. You should also be willing to stick to a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Before your arm lift procedure, you’ll first want to have a consultation with Dr. Janiga. He will review your medical history, examine your arms and the loose skin there, go over any risk factors, and determine if an arm lift is the right procedure for you.
If an arm lift is right for you, he will also give you some instructions on how best to prepare for your surgery. This may involve stopping certain medications like blood thinners, stopping alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and preparing for the recovery process. This will also mean filling medications, arranging for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery, and preparing a comfortable space in your home for your recovery.
Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience and countless patient success stories. His calm, expert, and meticulous approach has transformed the lives of both cosmetic and reconstruction patients, helping them feel good in their bodies. Dr. Janiga is an expert in all aspects of plastic surgery and specializes in cosmetic facial surgery, body contouring, and breast surgery.
Dr. Janiga performs arm lift surgery in an outpatient surgery center using general anesthesia. It usually involves an incision along the inner side of the upper arm that allows for the removal of excess skin and fatty tissue. Liposuction can be incorporated into the procedure depending on the patient’s specific anatomy and desired outcome. Dr. Janiga can modify the extent of the incision depending on the amount of excess skin present and always chooses the smallest incision necessary to minimize swelling and speed up arm lift recovery. This procedure takes one to two hours, with another hour of recovery time in the outpatient facility before going home.
A mini brachioplasty is available for the removal of minor amounts of excess fat and skin from the arms. This version of arm lift surgery can be performed by Dr. Janiga in the office or in an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia as well. During the procedure, an incision is placed under the armpit. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the incision is closed.
After your arm lift, you’ll be able to go home almost immediately. That said, you will want to rest as much as possible in the first week or so as you do have stitches. Swelling and bruising may last a few weeks after your procedure. You can expect to return to work within five to seven days. Full results are expected within one to three. Dr. Janiga recommends a compression garment on the upper arm for a few weeks after brachioplasty to support the healing process.
Once fully recovered, you can expect a slimmer, tighter, and more contoured upper arm. Initial results may be visible immediately, but it will take several weeks for all the swelling and bruising to go down and for you to see the most significant improvements.
Dr Jennifer Janiga is 5 stars in my mind. Always very professional and caring. I am a RN an refer her to all coworkers and friends.
Dr. Jen is the best! I have been going to her office for 6 years now and can’t see myself going to anyone else.
I have been seeing Dr. Jennifer for quite a few years now for everything from suspicious moles to acne to now the fun, confidence boosting, not look my age stuff. I cannot say enough about the professionalism and efficiency of the staff, the cleanliness of the facility, Dr. Jen’s knowledge and skill and my results!
Dr. Jennifer is an excellent physician. I could not have been more happy with my time with her. I’ve seen Dr. Jennifer twice — and in both occurrences she truly listened to my concerns. The treatment she provided was excellent and effective. As long as she is practicing in Reno, I will be her patient!
An arm lift (brachioplasty) is a highly specialized body contouring procedure that requires surgical precision, aesthetic judgment, and careful planning to achieve smooth, natural-looking results. At JanigaMDs, surgical procedures are led by Dr. Timothy Janiga, a board-certified plastic surgeon whose education, experience, and professional recognition make him a trusted choice for brachioplasty.
Dr. Janiga received his medical degree from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and completed his integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Michigan, one of the nation’s most respected training programs. This rigorous background provides the foundation for his ability to address excess skin, fat distribution, and contour concerns while prioritizing safety and long-term results. With more than two decades of experience in body contouring, among other plastic surgery procedures, Dr. Janiga tailors each arm lift to the patient’s anatomy and goals, focusing on balanced proportions and refined contours.
His commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including Best of Reno Plastic Surgeon, repeated honors as one of the “10 Best Plastic Surgeons in Nevada” by the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons, and NAOPS Top 10 Plastic Surgeon distinctions. Dr. Janiga is also listed among the Top 5% of Honored Professionals in the American Registry. Dr. Janiga is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an elected member of the prestigious Aesthetic Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, reflecting both academic achievement and professional integrity.
At JanigaMDs, patients benefit not only from Dr. Janiga’s surgical expertise but also from a practice philosophy that prioritizes individualized planning, clear communication, and comprehensive support throughout recovery. Working alongside board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Janiga, the team provides coordinated care that enhances both surgical outcomes and overall well-being. Together, this combination of advanced training, recognized achievement, and personalized attention makes JanigaMDs a trusted choice for individuals considering an arm lift in Reno, NV.
Arm lift surgery can help those with excessive laxity in the skin on their arms by removing fat and skin to provide a more tone appearance. For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Janiga for an arm lift in our Reno plastic surgery offices, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.
JanigaMDs is the only practice in Reno where patients can consult with both a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified plastic surgeon in one visit.
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Dr. Timothy Janiga is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades experience serving the Northern Nevada community. He has been awarded multiple "Top Doctor in Nevada" and patient satisfaction awards. He is a member of several organizations, including American Institute of Plastic Surgeons (AIOPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), as well associated with establishments such as the Nevada State and Washoe County Medical Societies.
Founded in 2010, the team at JanigaMDs has been proven to provide the utmost care for all patients. With a 4.7 rating over almost 700 reviews, JanigaMDs is the premier aesthetic practice in Northern Nevada.
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