What makes someone a good candidate for an arm lift? (photos)

Hello, thank you for your questions regarding if you are a good candidate for an arm lift  and what constitutes being a good candidate for an arm lift.  Arm lifts or brachioplasties are performed to achieve smaller arms. Some patients have only excess upper arm fat and excellent skin tone (Type 1).   These patients do best with just VASER arm liposuction. Other patients have excess upper arm skin and fat (Type 2). If you have excess upper arm skin, you will require excision of this upper arm skin. If your upper skin is localized in the upper 1/3 of the arm (next to the armpit), you may only need a limited incision arm lift or brachioplasty.    If you have excess upper arm skin and fat throughout the middle 1/3 and the lower 1/3 of the upper arm, then you may require an incision from the armpit to the elbow.    Based on your pictures, I think you are a good candidate for an arm lift.   Basically, I would propose 2 options for you. First option: I would suggest you could just have VASER arm liposuction and evaluate your arm results. It is possible that with VASER arm liposuction alone, that your upper arm skin will contract  and you would achieve nice, tight arms. Second option:  if you want a more definitive arm surgery,  then I would suggest combined VASER arm liposuction and an incision from the armpit to the elbow. You should get better, more reliable arm results with the second surgical arm lift option. Thank you for your questions regarding your arm lift.  If you have any more questions regarding an arm lift, VASER arm liposuction, brachioplasty, or arm reduction, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.    

A brachioplasty or arm list if a surgical procedure that removes both excess skin and excess fat between the elbow and axilla (armpit). This area can be loose and floppy either after major weight loss, or from a genetic predisposition for fat in this area. Unfortunately, there is no exercise you can do to tone up this area and minimally invasive treatments and liposuction do nothing to treat excess skin. To be a candidate for an arm lift you basically need to have excess skin from the elbow to the axilla. Whether or not you have excess fat is not essential. If there is excess fat this would be removed along with the skin. If someone plans to lose weight it would be best to do so before an arm lift so things can be made as tight as possible. If someone loses a lot of weight after an arm lift, the skin will most likely sag again and they will be disappointed with the final outcome. As long as you are at a stable weight that you are happy with, then from your pictures I see no reason that you wouldn’t be a good candidate. Make sure the surgeon that you talk to is a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in cosmetic surgery after weight loss, and you will get the best advice possible.

Young thin people with good skin and localized lipodystrophy are good candidates for liposuction alone.I tend to perform lipo of upper arm, shoulder, and posterior arm with the minimally invasive BodyTite every week.  I do think that the combination produces the best results In appropriate candidates who do not present with flabby and overstretched skin. If you have loose skin, an arm lift to remove that excess skin is usually a better alternative than liposuction.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

The best candidates for arm lifts have excess "floppy" tissue between their axilla (armpit) and their elbow. Liposuction is a better option for patients who have thickness (excess fat) to their tissue rather than laxity. 

Thank you for your question.  Ultimately, a thorough exam would be helpful however based on your photos, a brachioplasty would give you a significant improvement in contour.  I typically perform extensive liposuction in the areas of skin that will not be removed. Once suctioned, a more extensive skin removal is possible.  Liposuction in combination with skin removal allows for a significant decrease in arm circumference.  best of luck

Three criteria would be that you present significant loose skin, a fair amount of fat and are at a stable weight. In which case, I combine substantial liposuction with an arm lift. The liposuction will release the amount of skin that will be removed and dramatically decrease bulk of the arms.
Christian Drehsen, MD

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  The best candidates for an arm lift have significant skin laxity in the arm which can be excised and tightened.  Based on your photographs, I do not think you have enough skin laxity yet.  Some additional weight loss may help.   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.  
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

The best candidates for arm lifting are those at their ideal weight and weight stable who have excess skin only and are happy to accept removal of the skin for a scar.

Hello dear, thanks for post. An arm lift is a surgical procedure that:
Reduces excess sagging skin that droops downwardTightens and smoothes the underlying supportive tissue that defines the shape of the upper armReduces localized pockets of fat in the upper arm regionFluctuations in weight, growing older, and heredity can cause your upper arms to have a drooping, sagging appearance. This is a condition that cannot be corrected through exercise.Arm lift surgery may be right for you if the underside of your upper arms are sagging or appear loose and full due to excess skin and fat.
In general, arm lift candidates include:
Adults with significant upper arm skin laxityAdults of any age whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweightHealthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgeryNon-smokersIndividuals
with a positive outlook and realistic expectations.... I recommend to
make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon for a person
evaluation and to talk about your goals. Good luck :)

A person who has excess skin of the upper arms that isn't expected to contract if liposuction alone is performed and is willing to accept the scars that result would be a good candidate for a brachioplasty (arm lift).
It is a very popular operation .Brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is one of the most frequently requested body contouring procedures performed today. The demand for this procedure has increased more than 800% since 1997. This is the greatest percent change of any of the commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures Much of the increase in popularity is due to the growing number of patients who undergo massive weight loss. In performing this procedure an incision is made on the inside of the arm extending from the elbow into the armpit. Sometimes it is necessary to extend the incision further into the armpit and sometimes past it. Utilizing this incision excess skin is removed and the wound is closed. It is very important to position the scar properly so that it is concealed as much as possible. A well-placed incision should result in a scar that is only visible when the arms are raised. This operation is normally performed as an outpatient. It is very important for the surgeon to discuss the resultant scar thoroughly with the patient preoperatively. Very commonly this scar takes longer to undergo full healing and maturation than incisions on other parts of the body. Maturation refers to the process whereby the scar becomes less apparent. Brachioplasty scars commonly take up to 2 years to fully mature. Immediately after the operation compressive Ace wraps are placed from the fingers up to the armpit. These can normally be removed within 24-48 hours postoperatively and replaced by elastic compression sleeves commonly worn by athletes. These can be purchased relatively inexpensively at any sporting good store. Most patients wear these for up for up to 4 weeks postoperatively. No vigorous activity or strenuous activity is recommended for 3 weeks postoperatively. Complications following a well planned and well executed brachioplasty are uncommon. They may include however wound infection or wound breakdown. Is very important to follow the directions of your surgeon postoperatively to ensure the best result. Good luck