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All seven Medical Spheres ›After major weight loss or with age, the skin on the upper arms and thighs becomes slack. Once it sags, exercise hardly helps. A lift removes the excess – with a scar that remains but is placed as discreetly as possible.
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Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
The starting point
On the inner sides of the upper arms and thighs, the skin is thin and gives way over the years. After major weight loss – through a diet, obesity treatment or after pregnancy – it often cannot fully retract. Sagging areas of skin remain.
On the thighs, the excess skin rubs together when walking; skin irritation and inflammation in the folds can result. Exercise strengthens the muscles, but it does not tighten overstretched skin.
What matters is what predominates: fat, loose skin or too much skin. Localised fat deposits can be removed by liposuction, and slightly slack skin can in some cases be tightened with Renuvion®. If, on the other hand, skin clearly hangs over, a surgical lift helps. After very major weight loss, post-bariatric body contouring or a body lift may also be an option.
The treatment
Excess skin and, if necessary, fatty tissue are removed, and the contour of the arm or leg is reshaped.
For many people, fewer skin folds on the thighs mean less chafing, irritation and inflammation in everyday life.
Fat deposits in the areas to be lifted can be removed by liposuction in the same procedure; on the legs, a combination with a buttock lift is also possible.
Aesthetics & Function.
Medical Sphere · Harmony in Aesthetics & FunctionThe path
Both procedures follow the same principle: remove skin, reshape the contour. They differ in duration and recovery.
A specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery assesses the excess skin, fat content and skin quality and asks about your weight history. After major weight loss, a stable phase of six to twelve months is considered advisable.
The incision lines are determined and marked. This lets you see beforehand where the scar will be and whether fat will also be removed by liposuction.
Under general anaesthesia: usually one to two hours for the upper arms, two to three for the thighs. Where it makes sense, fat is removed by liposuction first.
Depending on the clinic and the extent, you go home the same day or after one night. You should not drive yourself at that point.
Compression garments hold the shape, reduce swelling and take the strain off the stitches – for four to six weeks.
The arms should not be put under strain for three to four weeks. For the thighs, movement is restricted for one to two weeks, and sport can resume after about four to six weeks. Light movement helps prevent thrombosis.
The stitches are removed after one to three weeks, after which scar care begins. The scars fade over time but remain visible; how clearly depends on the extent of the lift.
Self-pay or statutory insurance
For aesthetic reasons
If the main concern is shape, German statutory health insurance does not cover a lift. The group’s private clinics invoice it as a self-pay treatment. The price depends on which area is lifted, how much skin has to be removed and whether liposuction is added.
You receive a personal quote after the preliminary consultation. Financing in instalments is available at several clinics.
After major weight loss
If excess skin after massive weight loss leads to recurrent inflammation or significant limitations, there may be a medical need. Whether statutory health insurance covers the costs is assessed case by case.
Operations with cost coverage take place at the Bürgerspital Wertheim; pre- and post-operative care is possible close to home.
Specialists
Operations are performed by specialists in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Under each name you will find the locations where they perform arm and thigh lifts.
Locations
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Specialist clinic at the group’s headquarters, with separate pages on arm lifts and thigh lifts; the body lift is also available here.
Book an appointmentGermany
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery, with separate pages on both procedures and on the body lift.
Book an appointmentGermany
Private clinic within the Bürgerspital Wertheim, with intensive care in the same building.
Book an appointmentThe Netherlands
Treatment in the Netherlands, usually without an overnight stay; here too with separate pages on both procedures.
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
That depends on what predominates. Localised fat deposits with good skin can be removed by liposuction. Renuvion can tighten slightly slack skin. If, on the other hand, skin clearly hangs over, it can only be removed surgically – often together with liposuction.
On the upper arms, the incision runs along the inner side. On the thighs, different incision patterns are used depending on the findings; they are placed so that the scar is as hidden as possible. The more skin is removed, the longer the scar. Your surgeon will show you at the preliminary consultation where it will run in your case.
After an arm lift, many people are socially presentable again after about a week; after a thigh lift, after one to two weeks. Compression garments are worn for four to six weeks; sport is usually possible after four to six weeks, once your doctor has given the go-ahead.
In some cases, yes. Whether that makes sense depends on the total duration of the operation, safety and the strain on recovery. This is weighed up at the preliminary consultation.
When your weight is stable. After major weight loss, a stable phase of six to twelve months is considered advisable, because the skin is still changing during this time and further fluctuations would affect the result.
Possible risks include swelling, bruising, wound-healing problems, inflammation and intolerance to medication. Smoking impairs wound healing, so it is recommended to avoid it before and after the operation. The scars are permanent; their quality varies from person to person.
The removed skin does not come back. However, the skin continues to age, and major weight fluctuations can change the shape again.
Not for aesthetic reasons. If excess skin after massive weight loss leads to recurrent inflammation, there may be a medical need – this is assessed case by case.
Further reading
In-depth articles from the group's clinics.
Online booking
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Reviews
CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South AfricaWow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanBisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in GermanIch fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in GermanHervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanDr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanÜber die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanIch habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in GermanDr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanChoose a location
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