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Which Lipo Procedure Would Fix Fat On The Axillary Area and Upper Arm Liposuction on Active Female?

asked 11 months ago by smallfixes in mountain view, ca
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 547 times
Tags: age 25-34, arms, under arms, female, athletic, options

I'm a 29 year old active female interested in getting liposuction on the axillary area and upper arms. I'm very active (5'3 and 120 lbs) but cannot get definition in my arms and I have unsightly fat that hangs over all of my strapless clothing. I'm confused by the different liposuction procedures - smartlipo, vaser, tumescent, PAL, UAL, etc. Can someone please help clarify the differences, or perhaps recommend one? Is the recovery period different for each of these procedures?

12 answers to Which Lipo Procedure Would Fix Fat On The Axillary Area and Upper Arm Liposuction on Active Female?

All these different techniques can give great results in the right experienced hands.

If you are seeing an experienced liposuction doc who specializes only in liposuction, then it doesn't matter which technique he is using since he/she will do their best work with the technique they feel will do the job best for you. My opinion is that most quality liposuction work is done under local tumescent anesthesia with the micro canulas since you want the doc to see as well as feel how it looks in various positions (sitting, standing, turning, moving in different... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Liposuction options for upper arm, axilla

Liposuction is an option for the reduction of fat of the upper arm and axilla if skin elasticity is adequate. It is very easy to get confused by all of the marketing of the different liposuction companies and clinics. Liposuction is best suited for patients that have good skin elasticity and their fat deposits are small, localized and remain after diet and exercise. Plastic surgeons have extensive experience in liposuction and are specialists in this area of surgery. ... more

Elizabeth S. Harris, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction is more important than the type of energy used

The sculpting and removal component of liposuction is much more important than if there is power assistance, laser assistance, ultrasonic energy, water jet propulsion, etc. How the fat is removed and how the residual fat is allowed to stay behind in contour is most important. Different technologies have evolved over time to help protect the surgeon's arm from fatigue. Additional energies, especially those that produce heat to liquify the fat, might provide greater risk... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

What liposuction does and doesn't do

Of the responses I see here, I agree with Dr. Yuan. Liposuction is the removal of fat cells in the subcutaneous layer from an inherited excess to the minimal amount normal without cutting or altering surrounding structures. It is not a weight loss procedure. It is not a "sculpting mechanism". Properly done it does nothing to the skin and doesn't add or subtract elasticity or require adequate skin elasticity. Liposuction is the general term for the technique and does what it... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Lipo choices

I always tell patients that it is not the wand but the magician waving the wand that creates all the magic. You can get great results with all forms of liposuction. Tumescent is usually the safest. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction techniques for Upper Arms and Axilla

I agree with my colleagues regarding upper arm and axilla liposuction, the skill of the surgeon is much more important than the type of technology or machine which is employed. Adding an energy source to the liposuction such as ultrasound (UAL/VASER) or laser (SmartLipo) or power assisted lipo (PAL) can aide the surgeon in performing the liposuction, but each can carry additional risks as well. In the upper arm the most significant issue is usually skin tone or elasticity. ... more

Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction techniques

Liposuction, no matter what machine or technique is used, is simply a method of, more or less, selectively removing fat cells. All methods do this. The main problems are not with how to remove the fat but in which patients, under what circumstances, and in what controlled and predictable manner. None of the techniques protect against poor patient selection. And none of them override operator-dependent skill. The best results are achieved by surgeons who select their patients carefully and... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Upper arms and axillary folds can be contoured with Liposuction.

Liposuction works to contour areas that are more bulgy than we would like. It is best used in a patient such as yourself who is in good physical shape and at a healthy body weight, but who has small fat pockets in unwanted places. The fact that you are aware of the names smartlipo, vaser, tumescent, PAL, UAL demonstrates how effective these companies are in their direct to consumer marketing campaigns. And because your awareness is based on their marketing, it is no wonder... more

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for underarm

Dear Smallfixes, As stated by my colleagues below the technique of the surgeon is the most important part regarding your results after a liposuction procedure. Liposuction is a sculpting mechanism and requires a delicate touch and the surgeons full attention. The type of liposuction performed(ultrasound, mechanical, laser) doesn't matter as long as the surgeon performing the procedure is experienced. All of your studies show that despite the liposuction mechanism... more

Ernesto Hayn, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction for the upper arms

The upper arm is a difficult area for liposuction to handle, and we prefer tumescent liposuction with a small suction cannula to avoid any dents. Laser or ultrasonic liposuction in this delicate area may be prone to problems for some. The surgeons skill and judgment is the most important factor of all, not the particular tool used. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction Techniques

Hello Smallfixes, It's not the machine, its the doctor!!!!!! The most important point we've obtained from good clinical research, that gets drowned out by the marketing noise, is that the various liposuction techniques only help the doctor, they do not have an influence on the result. Vaser, UAL, PAL, or laser devices do not produce a different or better result than standard liposuction and all of them rely on standard liposuction to get the job done. ... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The Best Liposuction Technique is To Find the Best Surgeon!

Dear Smallfixes, The most important factor to consider when choosing liposuction, contrary to what the advertisements would tell you, is to find a great surgeon with excellent skills and artistry. A skilled surgeon will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for liposuction. He or she will also know how much fat can be safely removed depending on the area of the body and elasticity of the skin. The challenge for patients is sorting through the marketing hype. All of the... more