Lipo or weight loss for arms? (Photo)

Question

I'm generally okay with my body except for my arms and back. Should I get lipo for arms/back instead of losing 20lbs to avoid GLOBAL skin laxity? I know lipo can cause laxity, but lipo = only tx area laxity, not global like weight loss. I was 125lbs at 5'7 until I was 27, gained 100lbs, weight cycled 40lbs a few times, and was very fat for 3.5 years. I'm 31 & 175lbs now, workout 5x/wk eat right, dont need the health lecture, thanks. I am 15lbs overweight, however boobs & butt >>> saggy & skinny.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

As I said to you in your prior post, if you like the rest of your body, don't lose weight and get the surgery. However, I can tell you that your arm laxity is borderline, so two things should be done: 1. very careful, but thorough defatting of the arm in the lateral and posterior areas. This will help unweight the skin so it sags less. 2. Use Renuvion (J Plasma) to help seal and contract fascial fibers that anchor skin to the deep tissues in your arms (tricep fascia).

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello VictoriaValencia1,

Thank you for your question regarding liposuction versus weight loss for your arms and back.

Given your history and current situation, liposuction is the best option to target the specific areas of concern. It is important to note that you cannot target weight loss to specific areas like your arms or back through diet and exercise alone. Weight loss tends to be more global, affecting your entire body, which might not give you the desired localized effect and could potentially lead to global skin laxity.

Liposuction allows for precise contouring of specific areas, such as your arms and back, without the extensive weight loss that could affect your overall body shape, including your breasts and buttocks. While liposuction can cause some degree of skin laxity in the treated area, it is generally more localized and manageable compared to the overall skin laxity that can result from significant weight loss.

Considering your active lifestyle and healthy eating habits, liposuction can effectively complement your efforts and help you achieve the toned appearance you desire in your arms and back.

I hope this helps to answer your question regarding whether to choose liposuction or weight loss for your arms and back. Good luck!

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

Either approach will work, and both come with the risks and benefits you described. Based on your age and pictures you should be a good candidate for arm liposuction. However, only an in person physical exam will be able to tell the laxity of your skin. If your skin is of good quality, with good elasticity, then liposuction is likely to be successful. If you have excess laxity in your tissues, then your skin is unlikely to retract around the space created with liposuction. Be sure to have an in person exam with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question,

When deciding between liposuction and weight loss for slimming your arms, it's important to consider your overall goals, current body composition, and health status.

In this regard, Liposuction offers quick and noticeable improvements in the contour and appearance of your arms and specifically targets and removes stubborn fat deposits that may not respond well to diet and exercise.

Many patients experience a significant boost in confidence and satisfaction with their body image post-procedure.

Speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss the potential benefits of liposuction.

Sincerely, 
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Jonghyun Hong, MD · Answer

Hello Dear VictoriaValencia1, It is Dr. Hong from Fresh Plastic Surgery Clinic South Korea, Seoul. 
Unfortunately, this the most stubborn area, so even very slim women have non-proportional arms. So, liposuction for sure will be more effective rather just losing weight. One more good advantage of arm lipo is lifting effect, as by aging lower upper arm part tend to get sagged. You have quite good body shape, so upper arm liposuction together with accessory axillary breast (front/ inside/back side) + bra line (optional) will underline breast shape and overall body shape will be hour-glassed. 
Best wishes from Fresh.Dr. Hong

Daniel Butz, MD · Answer

I always encourage patients to be at their goal weight before surgery - and ideally that's a maintainable weight. Weight gain or loss after surgery can affect the results. 
If you'd like to maintain your weight where you are then liposuction could improve your arm/back contours. Liposuction is not meant for weight loss so it likely won't change the scale much. 
Skin laxity is a risk after weight fluctuations and the liposuction. Your back will likely be fine and have a great result with liposuction. Arms are more prone to developing skin laxity. Utilizing a new technology like renuvion can help but it's never going to be as tight as a proper arm lift. 
I would encourage a couple consultations with board certified plastic surgeons to figure out what might be best for you.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello;  The purpose of the Liposuction treatment is; for body shaping. It is not a complete removal of fat or weighting loss. Weighting loss; is a secondary gain. In Liposuction, for every field; what is the amount of fat that distorts the shape of that area; that much fat; needs to be deleted. Removing more fat; causes for sagging and collapse. Individuals, like you; who have a lot of fat and loose skin; along with Liposuction; in order to eliminate for skin laxity and tighten the skin; I recommend for implementing "Renuvion J Plasma". If you can lose weight; of course, give it. But, this; it is not an alternative for Liposuction procedure. Because, while losing weight; you lose all your body fat and therefore, losing weight; provides for slimming; but, does not contribute for shaping.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction under tumescent local and with the micro canulas , BodytiteRF and Morpheus would make a huge improvement in the arms, axillae and midback areas and is so easy to undergo with quick recovery time.  You are back to work in 2 days and back to the gym in 1 week.

Guler Gamze Eren, MD · Answer

Considering your arms and back, liposuction may end up with skin laxity when most of the fat is removed aggressively. There are some devices that use plasma energy like Argon and Renuvion or Laser liposuction technique which can help the skin to be more tight after liposuction. Giving too much weight in a short period of time may cause your skin elasticity to be worse.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

You have sagging skin and weight loss or liposuction will result in more sagging skin. You will need a brachioplasty. You would also benefit from a breast lift using The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

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