Laser Lipo VS Arm Lift?

Question

For the past couple of years I have been thinking about a way to chop half my arm off UGH. I have always had big arms growing up even when I was at my lightest weight my arm circumference has always been bigger than average. By looking at these pictures which would be better? Lift or Lipo?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Great
question.  Based on your arm pictures, I
would suggest an arm lift or brachioplasty. 
I do not believe arm liposuction alone will achieve the results you are
seeking. It does not matter if the arm liposuction is traditional liposuction,
ultrasonic liposuction, high definition VASER, Smart liposuction, or laser
liposuction.  Either way, after arm
liposuction alone, I believe your arm skin will sag and be wrinkled.

Since
your arm fat extends all the way to the elbow, I would suggest full arm
liposuction and an arm lift that extends to the elbow.  This type of arm lift or brachioplasty will
remove BOTH arm skin and fat.

I
hope this helps you in your decision process.

Good
luck with your arm lift or brachioplasty surgery.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

The question of what kind of surgical intervention you need really depends on two factors. The amount of extra volume that you feel you have in your arms, as well as the amount of extra skin that you feel you have in your arms. To address the former, i.e., the extra volume in the arms, then laser liposuction would be a very good option for you. In addition you will get some skin tightening above and beyond traditional liposuction. This would allow you to achieve some skin tightening with a very small amount of scars.The traditional arm lift, would probably be too extensive a scar for the degree of tightening that you may need. Your alternative is a short scar arm lift. This short scar would just be underneath the armpits. It is very well hidden. If you combine this with liposuction, then you will achieve enough tightening. This is a more invasive option then laser liposuction, however you will have a tighter look and appearance to the arms.I would recommend that you visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon to further evaluate your options in person.  Good luck.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Liposuction is probably the better choice for you based upon the pictures.  An exam would help confirm.Find a plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of 
body contouring procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic 
surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who
 can deliver the results.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Boris M. Ackerman, MD · Answer

Arm Lift or Liposuction

In some patients liposuction alone is adequate without removing excess 
skin.  In person examination can determine if your skin would be elastic enough 
for liposuction alone.  There is limited brachioplasty technique that leaves the 
scar in the arm pit only.  Some patients can benefit from this procedure without 
the need for a more extensive scar.  Seek out a surgeon with significant 
experience in body contouring surgery.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the posterior aspects of your arms will decrease their size and improve their appearance.  Your skin should still be elastic and have good shrinkage after the liposuction.  The liposuction is done through 2 small openings which would be very well hidden afterward.  Regular liposuction will give an excellant result.  there are a number of brand name liposuctions heavily marketed, such as ilipo, vaser lipo, laser lipo, ultrasonic lipo, but none have ever been shown to be better than well done traditional liposuction.  It is not the machine which is used, it is the person behind it that will produce the results.

Gregory Pisarski, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on you pre op pictures I think you would get a very nice result with Smartlipo. Thanks for your question.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.It appears as
though a liposuction procedure for your arms will give you a nice outcome. An
arm lift does not seem necessary. I recommend that you see a board
certified plastic surgeon in consultation to get more specific answers to your
questions which can best be addressed after a thorough history and examination
is performed.
Best of luck to you!

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD · Answer

You look very fit, with a minimal amount of upper arm fullness and skin laxity.  Any type of excision surgery is likely not necessary.  Liposuction is OK, but SmartLipo (laser lipolysis) provides a slight amount of contraction.  For many areas of the body, I don't believe laser lipolysis really makes a noticeable difference.  However, some areas with thin, loose skin (upper arms, inner thighs) seem to do great with it.  Find someone near you with the SmartLipo Triplex.

Lee E. Corbett, MD · Answer

The scar that the arm lift operations leave is significant and you might want to thoroughly investigate this procedure before you commit to it. Liposuction, laser or traditional, will thin the area and you will get some tightening. How much tightening is the question and only time will tell, but you will see an improvement. The arms are difficult and so you may want to make your decision based on degrees of improvement vs total resolution of the issue.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I would suggest that you consider another option;  no surgical intervention. On the one hand, I think that arm lifting is too extensive of an operation in your case and that you will not be pleased with the scar. On the other hand, liposuction surgery may leave you with unsatisfactory skin appearance.  Be careful with your decision-making. Best wishes.

Laser Lipo VS Arm Lift?

Answers (11)

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