What is best for fat reduction on the arms: J- Plasma, Vaser lipo, or Smart Lipo? (Photos)

Question

I’m considering getting lipo done on my arms I gained a lot of weight in my arms during pregnancy I am now losing the weight but I know my arms will still have extra fat and loose skin even though I’m working out and eating right, my question is any of these 3 procedures worth it on getting the results I want? I want some fat removed but I want tighter skin to remove sagginess and folding of the fat. I looked into these procedures due to them not leaving behind big scars.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Good news and bad news. Bad news first: Your arms are too loose for anything except an arm lift (aka brachioplasty). The upper half can be done with a short scar, but if you want maximal tightening you will need a long scar. Good news: you look like you scar well. No guarantees, of course, but you've got a good chance that a long scar won't be dark, wide or lumpy. I have ALL of the technologies you asked about and they are NOT for you. The video shows what kinds of arms are suited for those things.

If you want a private one on one conversation with a full plan of action, many experts, myself included offer the convenience and ease of a virtual consult. It's a conversation on skype, zoom, email or phone.

If you want a private one on one conversation with a full plan of action, many experts, myself included offer the convenience and ease of a virtual consult. It's a conversation on skype, zoom, email or phone.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

if you have significant loose skin you need skin removal with liposuction. if you do not then VASER + Renuvion may help.

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Victoria Falcone, DO · Answer

I have found that using Vaser and Smarltipo together during the same procedure can enhance skin tightening of the arms. Vaser can emulsify a larger volume of fat more efficiently than Smartlipo. Then the Smartlipo laser can be used under the skin to liquify the superficial fat and heat the skin to stimulate collagen production. I have found this combination to be very effective in achieving skin retraction. 
In order to provide you with realistic expectations, you will need to be examined to determine the amount of fat in the area vs loose skin. Loose skin can only be removed with a brachioplasty ( arm lift) but many patients who have a decent amount of fat in the area are happy with Vaser/Smartlipo combo treamtent of the arms. One little scar in each arm with Vaser/Smartlipo combination treatment vs the long scar of a brachioplasty..

Gregory Chambon, MD · Answer

We do Smart Lipo of the upper arms on a regular basis with positive results. The procedure removes the fat with a nice smooth contoured result, the laser promotes enough tightening to be happy, and scarring isn't an issue.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! I think you could be a candidate for SmartLipo, but you really need an in-person evaluation. You also may benefit from something more invasive. Good luck!

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There are two variables that need to be addressed and understood.

One is subcutaneous fat the other is skin laxity.

Any form of liposuction can remove sufficient and more than sufficient amounts of fat on your arms.

VAS ER can remove more fat with less time to the point of leaving arms completely defeated and disfigured.

It’s a great tool for those who have significant experience with it but can lead to disfigurement in the hands of those who don’t have skill and experience.

Any form of liposuction will work great for arms and no particular form of Liposuction has an advantage in arms.

J plasma is an adjuvant or a secondary treatment aimed to tighten skin.

I purchased this equipment for over $100,000 a little over a year ago. I was underwhelmed by what I saw and saw virtually no skin tightening whatsoever from using it.

The only way to properly deal with skin laxity is to surgically remove the skin which leaves a scar.

I suggest you start by finding the most talented plastic surgeon for arm liposuction in your area and have liposuction done of your arms with whatever device that surgeon chooses to use.

If you still want to move forward with skin removal after that then you should schedule a secondary brachioplasty.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note localized fat repository of the upper third and an apparent constricting scar or band at the middle third of your upper arm. There are significant stretch marks present. There appears to an excess of both fat and skin.
A liposuction procedure of the upper arms removes fat only, while a brachioplasty removes excess skin and underlying fat. If there is a significant amount of fat present, if the skin demonstrates no evidence of overstretching (stretch marks), and if the sag is only minimal to moderate, a liposuction may correct the deformity. On the other hand, if there is stretched out skin, only a brachioplasty can achieve correction. However, one must accept a scar from armpit to elbow. The scar is placed on the inside (medial side) of the arm to minimize exposure, but the scar is readily apparent in certain positions. The mini-arm lift is not of much benefit. 
You would require brachioplasty for correction.
Seek a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best wishes...

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

i have done over 1,100 Smartlipo cases. The other 2 modalities can also work. however, all of them depend to some extent on your natural skin elasticity to tighten up, after fat is removed. you do get some tightening from the laser with Smartlipo. however, i don't think you will get enough tightening to give you a huge improvement. you will get some.
it would be helpful to know your age and also how much weight you have gained and lost.
if you do Smartlipo (or any of the other techniques) you can always get a full arm lift, if you want further tightening.

david berman md

Kristine Brecht, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Dear Central Valley,
Great question!
You are not alone. I often see patients with a combination of large volume and loose skin issues. We wish that our body would recoil right on its own, but it often isn’t enough. Smart lipo and Vaser are comparable with some skin tightening, but the Renuvion j plasma in combination with Vaser is a game changer when it comes to getting the best skin tightening technologies, done through a couple dots with no stitches.
Skin removal with a long line scar is the alternative.
Best. Dr Brecht
Seattle, Wa