Does an arm lift help with excess skin in the upper lateral sides?

An arm lift takes care of excess skin and fat from the armpit to the elbow. Typically an incision is made from the armpit to the elbow and skin and fat is removed in this area. If you are referring to skin and fat of the upper lateral torso, this area is addressed with a separate procedure. It is called a torsoplasty. Often it is performed at the same time of the arm lift. A torsoplasty can involve an incision from the armpit extending downward toward the bra line. Some patients only require extending the incision several inches form the armpit. Where as other patients require the incision down to just underneath the bra strap line. Other patients require an incision that goes down to the hipbone. When the incision extends from the armpit downward this is called a vertical torsoplasty. Another type of torsoplasty to address the excess skin and fat of the upper lateral torso is a horizontal torosplasty. This extends from the lateral chest and around the back. Some plastic surgeons call this an upper body lift or a back lift.

In some patients with excessive arm skin, the skin excess can also be present in the armpit and along the lateral chest. Performing an extended brachioplasty, in which the scar on the arm is continued across the armpit and down the lateral chest, can help to address all three areas. This will result not only in better shape of the arm, but also a more defined axilla and lateral chest.

If I am understanding your question correctly, the answer is: no. Arm lifting helps with excess skin/adipose tissue of the upper arms. Upper body lifting is the name of the operation that will help remove excess skin/adipose tissue of the upper/lateral chest wall and back areas.  Hope this,  and the attached links, helps.