Arm lipo or arm lift - What do you think would give me the best result? (photo)

An axillary (or armpit) incision can be used to remove a small ellipse of tissue. This arm lift is best utilized for patients who have loose skin confined to the arm pit area or uppermost aspect of the arm. This arm lift can be combined with upper arm liposuction in the right patient to produce a dramatic improvement in upper arm contour. The scar remains hidden within the armpit.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello, thank you for your question about arm lipo or arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty.  Based on your pictures alone, I would suggest VASER arm liposuction.  Traditional arm liposuction may cause skin laxity and loose, hanging skin.  The VASER not only melts arm fat, but the VASER will help to maximally contract the arm skin.  You may also want to consider if you want to have athletic arms sculpted with the VASER.  This can achieved with accurate VASER arm liposuction.  A physical examination and medical history is essential.  If you have a history of significant weight loss, age over 45 or my phyical examination reveals arm stretch marks, you may do better with an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty. During the brachioplasty, arm liposuction is performed and then the arm skin is resected.  Since these are relatively complex procedures, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in VASER arm liposuction and arm lifts, arm reductions, or brachioplasties.  Travel out of state if you must to find such an arm reduction expert. If you have any more questions regarding an arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, VASER arm liposuction, or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Awardee: RealSelf 100.)

Based on your photos - it appears that you would benefit from a Brachioplasty - it will remove your excess skin and fat in that area. Liposuction alone will only address the fat.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Based on your photographs, the best option for you may be a mini arm lift with liposuction.  This decision should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.   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.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
 

You have to be seen, but from what I see on your photos you might be a good candidate for liposuction combined with a transverse upper brachiopasty that places the scar in your armpit. This will get rid of the excess fat as well as the loose skin of the upper inner arms and avoids the scar that goes from the armpit to the elbow of the standard brachioplasty. 

Arm liposuction will remove excess fat in the tissues but will not tighten the skin. If you are wanting skin removal to sculpt your arms, then a lift would be indicated. Depending on skin laxity you may be a candidate for BodyTite. This minimally invasive procedure uses RF technology to tighten skin and can be combined with liposuction. There is not general anesthesia required either. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

Hello! Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, arm lift surgery (mini vs. traditional with a short scar) may be a good option for you to improve the shape, contour, and overall appearance of your arms. Keep in mind that if you decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!

Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

Hi
and welcome to our forum!
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 (with its associated added weight),
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. 
Photos
at a distance may be deceiving, but a liposuction may give you moderate improvement. Complete correction requires skin excision (brachioplasty) as well, but will leave a significant longitudinal surgical scar
Seek a
consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best
wishes...