Is an arm lift commonly performed at the same time as a lower body lift?

Question

I am considering a lower body lift and was wondering if it was considered safe to do an arm lift at the same time. I am 47F with a BMI of 23 and my weight has been stable for some time - I have no other health concerns. Due to significant weight loss, I have moderate excess skin and very poor skin laxity around the hips, lower abdomen, thighs and butt. My arms have excess skin. I am about to start consulting with a surgeon or two, and wondered about the general thoughts of the network here.

Derek Fletcher, MD · Answer

I advice patients to separate lower body lifts from brachioplasty (arm lifts). You will need your arms to assist basic movements like getting out of bed after your body lift. And brachioplasty is often significantly more painful than expected due to the large sensory nerves in the area of excision and the tightness of the upper arm. In addition, wound healing problems in the armpit are very common and can be difficult to manage on their own, let alone with a recovering body lift.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about whether an arm lift can be performed at the same time as a lower body lift. Yes, it is common to combine these two procedures, particularly in plastic surgery cases involving massive weight loss.

A 360 circumferential lower body lift encompasses a number of procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), buttock lift, pubic lift, hip lift, back lift, and body contouring. The arm lift procedure typically involves liposuction and an incision from the armpit to the elbow.

Both the arm lift and lower body lift are performed under general anesthesia and usually require about 3 to 4 weeks for recovery. The use of compression garments post-procedure is critical for both arm lift and lower body lift. Expect to wear these garments for at least 6 to 8 weeks, or until all swelling has subsided.

Congrats on your weight loss journey and considering these transformative procedures. When choosing a surgeon, ensure you find one who has extensive experience performing both body lifts and arm lifts. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear brooms47,
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Combining procedures is common and considered safe, but there is a limit.  Generally elective surgical procedures should not exceed six hours.  There are also considerations for recovery, meaning are there more challenges incurred by combining certain procedures.  I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  She/He will need to determine the estimated surgical time required for the procedures based on the degree of excess tissue.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

Ahmad H. Ahmadi, MD · Answer

The short answer is that the lower body lift can be combined with an arm lift. But it all depends on how long the two combined procedures will take. Frequently, massive weight loos patients require staged procedures to keep the surgery time to a reasonable duration. A board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to examine you and make recommendations.

Is an arm lift commonly performed at the same time as a lower body lift?

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