Is it ok to combine an arm lift with a thigh lift? (photos)

Question

My upper arms and thighs have lots of loose skin. They Iook like old saggy empty bags. Ideally I would like to do a breast lift and BBL, plus these procedures. (Full body makeover.) How should I set combine surgeries? Any advice on how should I divide these surgeries for safety, comfort, and proper healing? Any pointers based on the pictures? I am 5'6 190 lbs and almost 40 years old. Thank you in advance.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello metamorphosis11, 
Thank you for your question regarding whether it’s OK to combine an arm lift with a thigh lift. In addition, I believe you were looking for a breast lift, mastopexy and Brazilian butt lift or BBL. Thank you for including your pictures. I really agree with you that you need an arm lift, arm reduction or brachioplasty. In addition, I would also suggest a thigh lift, thigh reduction or thighplasty. You would also benefit from a breast lift and horizontal torsoplasty.  You did not include pictures of your buttock, but my I would assume that you could transfer fat to your buttocks.
I would not suggest combining your arm lift with your thigh lift. Combining these surgeries is not difficult. However, your recovery is extremely difficult if you combine the arm lift and thigh lift. The logistic to imagine is the following: you have just had arm surgery and thigh surgery and you were laying in bed and need to go to the bathroom. You need your arms to pull yourself out of bed. Then, you need your legs to walk to the bathroom. Then, you will need your arms to pull the garment down to go to the bathroom. Then, you need your arms to clean yourself. Then, you need your arms to pull the garment back on and use your legs to return to bed. This logistic is very difficult if you combine the arm and thigh surgery. Therefore, I have made it my habit not to combine these arm lift and thigh lift surgeries. Instead, I would suggest the following procedures to be combined. 
I would suggest your arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty to be combined with your breast lift or mastopexy. At a secondary surgery one or two months later, I would  suggest the thigh lift, thigh reduction, or thighplasty to be combined with the Brazilian butt lift (BBL). I think the recovery will be much smoother if you stage these multiple procedures into two surgeries. Thank you for your question regarding whether it’s OK to combine an arm lift with a thigh lift. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction.  If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, please contact my office.  Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 arm lifts.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, yes you can combine surgeries however depending on the location and recovery of surgery we cant do certain ones together. Yes you are able to get lipo and arm and thigh lift. it would not be a good idea to combine BBL with Breast augmentation or arm lift. You can certainly do a thigh lipo and lipo of abdomen and have a BBL . Speak to your plastic surgeon about what they typically do in their clinic.

Miguel Mota, MD · Answer

Excellent question and yes it is ok as long as your pre-ops are good. But, I would suggest having your breast and arm lift done an the same time rather then your thighs. You might be able to add thigh lipo as well. 
This can be done with an Extended S Arm Lift that connects to the Breast Lift to the arm lift via an S shape scar.  The scar goes through the armpit, down towards the brawling and then across and forward towards the breast fold, joining up with the lateral breast lift scar. This is a great way to get rid of the excess skin and fat in the underarm and lateral bras-line area. 
I believe this technique plus thigh lipo will get you close to where you want to be. A second round thigh lift is always a possibility, especially after you’ve already had lipo there.
Best of luck,
Dr. Miguel Mota

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Metamorphosis11,
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

I would suggest doing the arm tuck, or perhaps liposuction with minimally invasive radiofrequency skin tightening like Renuvion, with your breast lift. The thigh tuck could be done with the BBL at a later time. I do not advise getting the arms and legs done at the same time or you may not be able to get out of bed.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Combining procedures is common and considered safe but there are limitations.  From the photos submitted it appears you are a candidate for the procedures you are contemplating.  The best combination will depend on an physical exam and discussion of your goals.  We welcome you to visit us in our Houston office to discuss options and learn more about the procedures.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Great question but only after in person or virtual consult could a surgery combination be offered. You might be able to have axillary excess removal/mini arm lift/inner thigh lift in same setting. Expect fees in the $18,000+++ ranges.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Based on your pictures, you are an excellent candidate for an upper body lift, brachioplasty, medial thigh tuck, and brazilian butt lift. The brachioplasty will address your skin redundancy and excess fat. Granted you have been given preoperative clearance and your bloodwork is unremarkable, you can safely perform these procedures at once. The optimal BBL outcomes are achieved with: 1) use of VASER liposuction to harvest the fat, 2) a closed looped system such as Puregraft to process the fat, and 3) strategic micro-packet transplant technique. These three processes have demonstrated over 95% fat graft take. This means that your results will be stable as long as you maintain your weight. As an official VASER trainer, I am routinely referred unhappy BBL patients. One of the most common reasons for disgruntled BBL patients is that patients are not able to accurately communicate their desired buttocks goals to their surgeons. A buttocks assessment tool can be an invaluable tool to communicate to your surgeon the exact buttocks size and shape you are desiring. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a BBL specialist can help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

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