Is Liposuction Required for an Arm Lift?

Thank you for your question regarding liposuction associated with an arm lift. Every plastic surgeon is different. Early in my career, I did not use liposuction. Fifteen years ago when I started using arm liposuction for my brachioplasties, I found much better arm lift results. Presently, for all my brachioplasty procedures, I always perform arm liposuction. I believe arm liposuction at the beginning of the arm lift procedure is essential to better eliminate arm fat. Arm liposuction also aids in the dissection.
Good luck with your quest for skinnier arms.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

The vast majority of arm lift procedures are performed
without liposuction. Occasionally, liposuction is used to supplement arm lift
procedures, but this isn’t necessary in most cases. When patients have
significant amounts of upper arm fat and relatively tight skin, liposuction
alone is an excellent treatment option.

                  Before
proceeding with cosmetic surgery it’s important to be evaluated by a board
certified plastic surgeon. This surgeon can formulate an appropriate treatment
plan based on the anatomic deformity and the patient’s aesthetic goals. 

Although Liposuction is used in most traditional arm lifts it is not required if there is not much fat redundancy. Your plastic surgeon will quickly let you know if this is required.

Arm lift procedures frequently involve liposuction as part of the surgical treatment.  Only in situations of massive weight loss is liposuction not necessary.  Otherwise, even a small amount of liposuction can aid in the overall result.  Of course, care must be taken to avoid excess fluid infiltration and excess skin excision that would result in a tight skin closure and eventually a wide scar. 

There are specific areas of the anterior (front side) of the arm that are not addressed with a traditional arm lift.  I typically micro-sculpt these areas with liposuction. 

 I also perform liposuction prior to all my arm lift. In some patient, liposuction alone may do the trick. However, the majority of patients will require excision of excess skin. I do not charge extra for the liposuction. Most people who have excess skin also have some fatty area, so I use liposuction to contour the area. Liposuction also help tighten the area.

The only way to know for sure is to consult a board certified plastic surgeon. It is important to know that not all cosmetic surgeons are board certified plastic surgeon. There is a big difference!

It is imperative that your surgeon carefully analyze your arm anatomy.   In our practice it is not uncommon to perform some arm Liposuction during arm lift surgery,  it is just a part of arm lift procedure.  On the other hand,  if there is only minimal fatty layer in the arm than liposuction during arm lift can leave one with sub-optimal arm lift result.  Only an experienced and talented surgeon can decide on the optimum approach in order to obtain ideal result. In either case, whether your arm lift requires concurrent arm liposuction should not make your surgical fee any higher. 

For patients with very fatty arms and loose skin - I prefer to stage extensive arm liposuction and follow with an arm lift several months later. The scars tend to be much better.

I will perform lipo using a small suction cannula on the arms, and I think it can help tighten the skin.  It is also helpful in areas where there is excess fat, although I like to limit the lipo to small amounts because it causes a lot of swelling.

Well, that is why you are seeing a plastic surgeon to see what you need done. Not every arm lift surgery need to have liposuction added. It all depends on the arm lift you are having as there are different types and it depends on your anatomy and what you need done.

If you post a picture we would be better able to let you know.

Good luck.