Flabby arms after an 100 pound weight loss. What are my options?

Question

Can this be corrected with weight training? I have researched arm lift & the scars I have seen PostOp are devestating. Are there other options? I plan to have a Tummy Tuck this Winter, could the procedures be combined?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding options to address flabby arms after significant weight loss. Congratulations on your incredible weight loss journey—losing 100 pounds is a remarkable accomplishment!

To effectively tighten your arms after such a substantial weight loss, building muscle through weight training can help to some extent. However, even with dedicated weightlifting, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to completely fill in the loose skin left after such a dramatic transformation. This is because skin laxity typically doesn’t shrink back fully after being stretched for an extended period, especially after significant weight loss.

A brachioplasty (arm lift) is likely your best option for achieving a tighter, more contoured appearance. During this procedure, excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is tightened for a smoother, firmer look. While brachioplasty does leave scars, many patients find the improved contour and confidence it provides outweighs concerns about scarring.

The appearance of your scars will depend on several factors, including your natural skin tone, genetics, and how your body heals. If you already have scars from other surgeries or injuries, they can provide a good indication of how you might heal. Over time, most scars fade significantly, and there are treatments—such as silicone sheets, scar creams, and laser therapy—that can further improve their appearance.

In many cases, a tummy tuck and arm lift can be combined into a single procedure, reducing your overall recovery time. However, this decision will depend on your overall health, surgical plan, and the advice of your plastic surgeon.

Ultimately, I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your unique anatomy and provide the best options tailored to your goals. You're already on an amazing journey—this next step can help you feel even more confident in your body!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question! Based on your photos, you’re an excellent candidate for an arm lift. This procedure will give you the best result, removing the excess skin to the arms from weight loss. I recommend discussing the procedure with your board certified plastic surgeon and seeing if it is an option to add to your current surgery. Best of luck!

Christian G. Drehsen, MD · Answer

A well performed arm lift combined with liposuction and placement of the scar towards the back side of the inner arm is the best option. Mini arm lift, radiofrequency, simple liposuction and exercise will not work with your skin laxity. 
Christian Drehsen, MD

Lane Smith, MD · Answer

Dear BBrooks85, Congratulations on your weight loss and thank you for your question! While some tightening of the skin can be accomplished with arm exercises that firm the underlying muscle and subsequently tighten the overlying skin, after a weight loss of 100 or more pounds, the skin looses some of its elasticity and ability to bounce back. From your photo, it looks like you would be a good candidate for a brachioplasty procedure. While the scars from this procedure can be long and undesirable, a practiced surgeon and a good scar treatment regimen including some spot laser treatments can greatly reduce the appearance of the scars. Doing the arm lift and tummy tuck procedures together should not pose any problem. Good luck!With kind regards

Janet Woodyard, MD · Answer

Congratulations on the weight loss! I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon to explore all your options to correct the loose skin as a result of the weight loss. Exercise and weight training is usually not enough to correct the hanging skin shown in your photo. A brachioplasty will remove the excess skin, but the trade-off is a scar. The scars can be quite acceptable on many patients, but they are permanent and not invisible. In my opinion, an arm lift is not a good procedure to have at the same time as a tummy tuck because you will need to use your arms to get up and down after the tummy tuck if your tummy tuck includes muscle tightening. There are many considerations and details that can only be addressed after an exam in person. Get a few opinions so you can make an educated decision. Take the time to do this before so you are happy after the surgery.  Best wishes.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  With that
being said, based on your photographs, the best shape and contour could be
achieved with an arm lift.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, the trade off to remove excess skin is brachiaplasty. Exercising your arms will not tighten hanging skin.Personally, I would not perform arm lift with a tummy tuck. Risks and recovery are increased. I frequently combine arm lift with breast lift which allows the armpit area to be included with the scar lines.An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Joseph Michaels, MD · Answer

Congrats on the great weight loss. One of the down sides of your weight loss success is the loose skin that can be left afterwards. Unfortunately you can't exercise your skin. If you want to optimize your arm contour, you will need an arm lift. The incisions are placed wear a tailor would place the seam of a shirt. Scarring is inevitable with these procedures and how you heal is in large part due to your genetics. The overwhelming majority of my patient shave been happy with their incisions. And yes, I commonly perform tummy tucks and arm lifts during the same operation. Best of luck.

Keshav Magge, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Based on the one photo, and the fact that you have lost 100 lbs, you would likely benefit from a brachioplasty or "arm lift" to remove the extra skin.  The skin is stretched out and loose, and has lost its tone so that is why removing it is necessary.  Weight training and toning always helps, but likely will not fix the problem.  Depending on your skin quality and amount of fat though, just smart liposuction may be an option- but you will likely still have some loose skin afterwords.  It can be combined with a tummy tuck as well.  Best to speak to a board certified plastic surgeon.  All the best,

Reza Sadrian, MD · Answer

Unfortunately skin laxity cannot be fixed by exercise alone.  You are a very good candidate for brachioplasty surgery.  There are things you can do to be sure your scars heal well, like doing everything possible to take it easy your first six weeks post surgery.  Using a good scar cream that your surgeon recommends and wearing your compression sleeves will all give you a better result. Ask the advice of your surgeon regarding combining your surgeries, but most likely it will be fine.  One time under anesthesia and one a  time recovery can be easier than breaking it up into two. Best of luck to you this fall!

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