For patients in South Africa

Arm Lift in Turkey from South Africa: what brachioplasty involves and how to plan it

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, removes loose skin from the upper arms and, where needed, stubborn fat as well. It treats skin that exercise and diet cannot tighten. This guide explains what it involves and how to plan it from South Africa.

What an arm lift does

The surgeon removes the hanging skin on the underside of the upper arm and, if there is excess fat, reduces it too, so the arm looks smoother and firmer. Because skin is cut away rather than tightened from outside, it does what skin-tightening treatments cannot. The price is a permanent scar, which fades over months but does not disappear.

The two techniques

• Standard arm lift — the incision runs under the arm, and loose skin of the upper arm is removed
• Extended arm lift — the incision continues towards the side of the chest, for skin laxity that carries on past the armpit

The surgeon chooses, and may suggest adding liposuction or a different treatment if that suits you better. Full details are on the arm lift treatment page, and related operations are in our body contouring guide for South African patients.

Who it suits

• People with loose or sagging upper-arm skin after significant weight loss or with age
• People close to their target weight who can keep it stable after surgery
• Non-smokers, or people able to stop before surgery, in good general health

After major weight loss, loose skin is often found elsewhere too: read about the body lift, back lift and breast lift. The surgeon will say how much can safely be done in one operation.

The trip and the operation

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, then a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply for an e-Visa online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Before surgery: health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with the surgeon on arrival
• Surgery: typically around two hours
• Recovery: nursing support, dressing changes and monitoring follow, with recovery at Mandarin Grove; the number of nights is set in your written treatment plan

Recovery, and the flight home

For the first three days, keep your arms raised when you can; swelling and bruising are normal. Drains, if used, usually come out between days four and seven, and you wear a compression garment. Most patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but the surgeon decides, so book a return ticket you can change.

Surgery followed by a long-haul flight carries some risk of blood clots. The surgeon tells you which precautions to take, in general your compression garment, walking regularly and drinking water.

From weeks two to six you return to daily life; upper-body workouts and heavy lifting wait for the surgeon’s clearance. The arms settle over three to six months as the scars soften; results last while your weight stays stable.

Risks, and follow-up at home

Possible problems include temporary numbness, a fluid collection (seroma) and slow wound healing; rarer ones include bleeding, infection, blood clots and changed skin sensation. The surgeon explains your own risks beforehand.

At home, the same team follows up by photograph, message and video call; İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa. Give your operation notes to your GP. Under our treatment guarantee, medical complications and clinically necessary revisions within one year are treated in İzmir at no charge for the treatment; flights and accommodation are your own cost. See also our clinic facts and complaints process.

What we will not do

We will not confirm a plan before a board-certified surgeon has reviewed your photographs and history, we will not promise a scar-free result, and we will not operate if your health or an unstable weight makes it unsafe. A long journey is not a reason to combine more procedures than the surgeon judges safe.

Frequently asked questions

How long after an arm lift can I fly home to South Africa?

The surgeon decides. Most arm lift patients are cleared to fly after five to seven days, but because the flight home takes around ten hours, keep your return date flexible.

Where is the arm lift scar?

In a standard arm lift the incision runs under the arm. In an extended arm lift it continues towards the side of the chest. The scar is permanent but softens and fades over the following months.

Can an arm lift be combined with liposuction?

Yes, where it helps. If an arm lift alone is not the best option, the surgeon may suggest adding liposuction or a different treatment after reviewing your photographs.

When can I go back to the gym after an arm lift?

Light daily activities return within the first weeks, but upper-body workouts, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise wait until the surgeon confirms it is safe.

Will my medical aid pay for an arm lift in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective surgery abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Check with both before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.