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Guide · Recovery
After significant weight loss, excess skin remains — and rarely in just one area. When the breasts, upper arms, and lateral chest wall are affected at the same time, the question arises whether to treat everything one after the other or in a single procedure. Dr. med. Zeynep Potente explains, using a case from our practice, when a combined lift makes sense — and from what point on excess skin becomes a functional problem rather than an aesthetic one.
Note: The video contains footage from the operating room and medical progress documentation. It serves to inform about the procedure and does not constitute advertising for a specific result. Watch reel on Instagram ↗
Excess skin after weight loss is often dismissed as a cosmetic issue. In everyday life, it frequently isn't. The deciding factor is whether the skin hinders movement or causes mechanical irritation:
Additionally, skin inflammation occurs in the folds because heat and moisture accumulate there. Exactly these findings are relevant to the question of cost coverage—not the shape.
Breast lift, Upper Arm Lift and chest lift lie anatomically next to each other. The incision lines merge into one another: the scar of the chest lift connects laterally to that of the breast lift, while the upper arm lift continues it toward the armpit.
That is the reason to plan them together. If one were to operate sequentially, each subsequent tightening would have to reopen the scars of the previous one — with the risk that the transitions would not meet cleanly and steps would form.
The combination is discouraged due to the stress involved: longer anesthesia, a larger wound area, and more complex aftercare. Whether it is an option depends on the general state of health—and, following bariatric surgery, also on protein and vitamin levels, as these influence wound healing. If a tummy tuck is performed in addition, this is usually planned separately; how that works is explained in the article Abdominoplasty after major weight loss.
The scars are red and firm in the first few weeks; they fade over the course of months. During this phase, compression, resting the arms, and scar care are part of the aftercare.
The range of motion of the arms is initially limited — raising them above shoulder height is initially avoided so that the sutures at the armpit are not put under tension. Sports are resumed gradually.
Our female patient had lost 60 kilograms following bariatric surgery. The excess skin on her breasts, upper arms, and lateral chest restricted her in daily life—in her profession, where she has to lift regularly, and during sports.
In a single procedure, a breast lift, arm lift, and upper body lift were performed. The footage in the video was taken just under eight weeks after the operation.
Note: This case is an individual example. Whether multiple tightening procedures can be combined and what the result will be depends on the initial finding, tissue quality, and healing progress and cannot be transferred to other female patients.
„I had problems before because the breast was just hanging in flaps — especially when I was at work and raised my arms or lifted patients, the breast often slipped out. Or during sports, when I did upper arm exercises. […] Now I can run without my arms chafing.“
— Female patient, eight weeks post-procedure
Yes, if the general condition allows it. The three areas are adjacent to each other, and the incisions blend into one another—which speaks in favor of planning them together. Arguments against the combination are a longer duration of anesthesia and a larger wound area. The decision will be made after an examination and laboratory results.
On the inside of the upper arm, from the armpit towards the elbow. In cases of pronounced excess, it extends beyond the armpit onto the lateral chest wall. The scar is largely hidden when the arm is down and visible when lifted.
Light movement is permitted early on, but straining the arms is only allowed after clearance. Lifting above shoulder height should be avoided in the first weeks so that the sutures in the armpit are not put under tension. The exact schedule depends on the course of healing.
Only in individual cases and solely in the event of documented complaints—such as recurring skin inflammation in the folds or proven restricted mobility. Medical findings over an extended period are required. A purely aesthetic tightening procedure is not covered by health insurance.
In a personal conversation, we will clarify findings, options, and the appropriate path – no obligation. Consultation in Frankfurt, the surgery will be performed in Oberursel.
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. Zeynep Potente · Updated on August 4, 2026
