I had gastric sleeve a year ago and my weight has stabilized. Is AirSculpt for the arms worth it?

Question

I had an AirSculpt appointment and Dr said that they could get the remaining fat out but i would still require skin removal surgery after. Is this worth it? Or is this really a double cost? Meaning — for arms with AirSculpt it’s 6000 then I know I will need skin removal which I don’t know how much that will be. But my BMI is 40 which is better than what it used to be at over 50. AirSculpt claims to be safer which is why I’m considering it. Help!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question about the benefits of arm liposuction with AirSculpt vs. an arm lift with associated liposuction.  Since you lost a significant amount of weight, you will need both arm liposuction AND an arm lift.  Why not have both arm liposuction and an arm lift performed at the same time? Why pay twice?  To me, it makes no sense (in your case) to do arm liposuction with AirSculpt, only then to have an arm lift later.  I would suggest you go to a reputable, board-certified, plastic surgeon.   Thank you for your question regarding arm liposuction vs. an arm lift with associated arm liposuction after a significant weight loss.  When considering an arm lift or plastic surgery in general, seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of arm lifts in their career. Travel out of state if you must.   I specialize in plastic surgery for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear sebarrio,it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Noninvasives usually do not tighten skin as arm lifts give best results after large weight loss.Liposuction can be combined with brachiaplasty as a single procedure for sagging arms.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.

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

. . . but I'm going to the national meeting in a few weeks, so I probably will!  Losing weight naturally always seems best, and I have seen some real problem scars/wounds with tissues that have been disturbed by liposuction procedures elsewhere prior to skin excision/rearrangement (but I'm sure there are surgeons who have good success combining the two - and trying to redrape tissues over an arm that is still to "chunky" is also fraught with problems). You probably will need a proper/formal brachioplasty when you are closer to an ideal weight, but be sure to see a board-certified plastic surgeon who knows how to ideally hide your arm scars at that time . . . best of luck!

Jose Perez-Gurri, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi. I would recommend a Vaser liposuction with an arm lift, Quite honestly save your money on Airsculpt because you will not be happy with the results. I commend you for getting your BMI to 40 from 50, however it should be below 40. Here, in Florida BMI needs to be less than 40 in order to undergo elective cosmetic surgery. Vaser is a highly specialized type of ultrasonic liposuction and you need to select a surgeon with years of experience in Vaser. We are fortunate that one our senior associates is considered one of the leading authorities in Vaser having written countless articles, published books and performing it since its inception over 15 years ago. 
Always seek out the opinion of a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery with years of experience in  VASER liposuction. Furthermore request to see before and after photos of previous patients by that doctor....not a clinic or surgery center. Do your homework......research and verify the doctor's credentials. Have they had problems with the Board of Medicine, disciplinary or otherwise. Any law suits? 
How about the center, clinic or facility? Are they accredited by a national organization or do they just have State approval. Understand that at the current time, there are three nationally recognized organizations responsible for the highest levels of patient safety, AAAASF, AAACH and JCHO. You owe it to yourself to position yourself for the best possible results but under the most stringent safety regulations, If you have kids, even more so.
How about anesthesia? Will you have a medical doctor certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology or a certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA)? Understand that there is no substitute for research. Cosmetic surgery, no matter how simple it may be to the patients, are invasive procedures and as such carry certain risks and complications. You owe this to your family.
In our office we use TouchMD which is a web based program in which patients have the ability to load their picture unto the program. I then evaluate them and can actually draw on the picture to show a potential patient where the incisions would be located and how the procedure is to be realized. It's all done to comply with HIPPA which is the federal law that protects the patient's medical information. Look them up.
Good luck, 
Dr. PG

Israel Manon, MD · Answer

Hello
It is hard to say what would be right for you without pictures, so i recommend you  Find a certified plastic surgeon to be evaluated first and can fulfill what you wish to accomplish.  Good luck.
Regards
Dr. Israel Mañon
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Cain R. Linville, MD, FACS · Answer

Honestly, the idea of paying for a marketing ploy for something like "AirSculpt" is ridiculous.  Especially if it will just simply leave you with excess skin afterwards, and since I do a lot of bariatric weight loss surgery, I'm guessing it will leave you with at least some.  Thus, you should simply make sure you're going to a board certified plastic surgeon so you can have your surgery in one shot, and have realistic goals and expectations.  Don't believe the hype.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Without posting pictures we can’t make an assessment for you.

Airsculpt is an excellent prices and Elite body Sculpture has a good reputation.

Typically weight loss patients primarily have skin laxity as their primary issue and should address skin laxity first and foremost.

Skin laxity limits what can be achieved with various forms of liposuction but if there’s still fat that needs to be removed air sculpt can do that.

It’s possible that going directly to skin removal procedures will have a more dramatic impact.

Without seeing pictures we can’t make an assessment.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

If you would be satisfied with thinner arms with looser skin, AirSculpt may be a good alternative. If you want the best looking arms, forget the AirSculpt and have a full brachioplasty which includes taking away the skin and the extra fat. But a lower BMI is necessary first.

I had gastric sleeve a year ago and my weight has stabilized. Is AirSculpt for the arms worth it?

Answers (9)

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