Last fact-checked: 29 October 2020

Undergo inexpensive arm lift surgery in Mexicali to get rid of loose skin for a shapelier, more toned look. For North Americans, the location of this border city makes it easily accessible–perfect if you don’t want to travel too far.

Sometimes, weight loss and a loss of elasticity in the skin contribute to the onset of "bat wings," where the upper arms sag in the middle. No matter how much effort you put in at the gym, this excess skin can only be taken care of with an arm lift, or brachioplasty as it is medically called. This surgery can help you feel less self-conscious about exposing your upper arms.

Both men and women undergo this common surgery, though women outnumber men for the procedure due to their genetic predisposition. Brachioplasty does leave minimal scarring; however these are on the underside of the arm and they fade significantly, becoming barely visible in time.

Arm lift surgery carried out purely for cosmetic reasons is seldom covered by medical insurance. When you have to pay on your own, it can work out to be quite a lot of money, in some cases being well over $5,000 in the States.

By heading abroad to a booming medical tourism destination like Mexicali, it's possible to save thousands without having to compromise on quality.

This city is also easily accessible from the US and Canada and is, in fact, driving distance from nearby states like Arizona, California and Nevada). It is just across the border from Calexico in California and patients often walk across the Border. 

Mexicali, the capital of Baja California in Mexico, is a busy and prosperous city with plenty to see and do while you're there. You can head to museums, parks, gardens, take part in sports such as golf, go fishing, and indulge in some low-cost shopping at one of the many plazas. Mexicali also has a significant Chinese population, so you get excellent Chinese and Mexican food while in town.

While Mexicali boasts high-quality medical facilities serving the international patient, it also has its share of those that are not so good. Although all surgery carries some degree of risk as it is, why would you want to compound your risks by not checking your surgeons' credentials? A simple check should reveal their qualifications and if they are members of professional organizations such as ISAPS.

You can take the safer route and book through Medical Departures. We offer safety because we check out the credentials, training and qualifications of the doctors and clinics we list on our website. We carry out detailed background checks and also ensure that the clinics and hospitals follow international standards of treatment and care.

There are various arm lift techniques, and the one selected by your surgeon will depend on the condition of your arms and your desired results. For instance:

• A mini arm lift involves surgically removing only the skin on the top of the arms.
• With a standard arm lift, incisions are made from the elbow to the armpit.
• An extended arm lift will involve removing skin from below the armpits and some parts of the chest wall as well.
• In some cases, liposuction may be used to remove fat cells before the skin is tightened and stitched.

Usually, the time taken for surgery varies from 90 minutes to three hours. The procedure is usually carried out under general anesthesia, although local anesthesia with conscious sedation is also an option.

Following surgery, sutures are covered by tight bandages and drains may be used for excess fluid and blood. You will need to rest for a few days and your downtime will be at least two weeks.

Recovery can take as long as six weeks and final results may take up to a few months.

In the US, you can expect to pay USD 4,000 to USD 11,000 for arm lift surgery. The same surgery in Mexicali will range from USD 2,300 to USD 5,000—representing savings of up to 75%. 

Please note that these are estimated figures at the time of writing. To see some of the latest prices on offer, take a look at these top clinics in Mexicali for arm lift surgery:

• Hospital de la familia
• Hospital Hispano Americano
• Dr. Angel Valenzuela Acosta

Check out our Mexicali listings to find experienced arm lift surgeons.

Book your appointment with Medical Departures to get the best prices online. Our Customer Care Team can help guide you with the booking process and answer all your questions. Look below for convenient ways to contact us.

Sources:

Arm Lift. Mayo Clinic. Website accessed: 29 October 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/arm-lift/about/pac-20392955

Gotter, Ana. Is an Arm Lift Right for You? Healthline. 25 October 2017. https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/brachioplasty

5 Things to do in Mexicali. Cali Baja. 4 February 2018. https://calibajalife.com/5-things-to-do-in-mexicali/