Can I get a mini arm lift? (photos)

Question

Hi, esteemed doctors of RealSelf! I'd like to either get a mini arm lift or no arm lift so I'd love your opinion to manage my expectations. I have a lot of fat on my arms (and thighs) disproportionate to the rest of my figure. Obviously, I need lipo on the whole upper arm, but do you think I can get away with an armpit incision? Thanks for letting me know!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question regarding what to do with your arms, specifically, whether you should have a mini-arm, arm lift, arm liposuction, or nothing at all. Based on your pictures, you have Type 3 arms with excess skin and fat to the elbow. In the second photo you provided, there is a picture where you are grabbing the excess arm skin and fat in the middle 1/3 of your arm. From this picture, I can tell that a crescent or mini-arm will not be "successful". The crescent or mini arm lift will only correct the upper 1/3 of the arm. If you are expecting the middle 1/3 of your arm (where you are grabbing) or the excess skin and fat around your elbows to improve, the mini-arm lift will NOT help. However, if you are OK with that and ONLY want a SLIGHT improvement in the upper 1/3 of the inner arm, go with the crescent or mini-armlift. However, you must realize, that the crescent or mini armlift will not improve much else. Since you have excess arm fat AND excess arm skin, I would not suggest arm liposuction. Due to the quality of your arm skin, arm liposuction will leave you with hanging arm skin. I would either do a full brachioplasty with an incision from armpit to the elbow or nothing at all. I know this may not be the answer you wanted to read, however I am being very honest. I specialize in arm lifts. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty please contact my office. Since an arm reduction is a very technically procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing arm reductions and 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, 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.)

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  Your expectations will dictate the best procedure(s) for you and if Brachioplasty is necessary.  I suggest a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to go over the options that best address your goals.  Best of luck!
Dr Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
Hoffman Estates 
Oakbrook 
Orland Park

Robert Cohen, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by a licensed plastic surgeon and expert in arm lifting to determine what is best for you and your goals.I treat problems of the upper arm in different ways depending on the nature of the problem. For those with firm, healthy, elastic upper arm skin, I use liposuction cosmetic surgery to sculpt and reduce the size of the upper arms to match the lower arm. Once the excess fat is removed, the skin shrinks to the fit the slimmer arm underneath. Liposuction of other body areas can be performed at the same time, as needed.
For patients with loose, sagging skin under their arms (or "bat wings") due to aging, gravity, or significant weight loss, liposuction will actually worsen the appearance of the arms. To properly reshape the arms, I tailor the skin to fit the underlying arm by surgically removing excess skin and fat. This procedure is called a brachioplasty (arm lift). A "mini brachioplasty" does not offer as much improvement as a full arm lift but is an option for patients with loose skin near the armpit or arm fold, leaving only a small scar in the arm crease.
Whether I perform liposuction, a full brachioplasty, or a mini arm lift, my goal is to give patients slimmer, more attractive upper arms. I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon and expert in arm lifting. - Dr. Cohen

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If you have loose skin with stretch marks on the lower part of the upper arm, an arm lift may be appropriate.  Some arm lifts can be done with a small incision, and others require a larger incision. This depends upon the location and degree of skin laxity and requires an exam to evaluate.

Francis Johns, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.Based on your photos, it appears you have laxity of the skin down to the elbow. An armpit incision it not going to tighten the skin down at the elbow. My recommendation would be liposuction with skin tightening to get your best result.

Richard Nadal, MD, FACS · Answer

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.  The mini-arm lift is only of minimal benefit.
Photos may be deceiving, but it appears that you would be best served
with liposuction.  Augmented liposuction utilizes laser energy or ultrasonic energy
to semiliquify the fat, making it easier to remove and adds a subtle skin
tightening effect..
Seek a
consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.
Best
wishes...

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,You would benefit from some fat reduction by liposuction. With regards to skin laxity, a formal examination would determine if you would also benefit from a skin removing procedure like an arm lift. In general, 'mini' lifts give little to no result, and I have personally converted many from a mini to a full lift. The reason is that the vector of pull, and therefore the tightening of skin, is in the wrong direction with a mini lift. It tightens skin in the direction of the arm bone, or axially. The vast majority of your skin laxity is in the circumferential direction however, and this can only be addressed by removing skin that tightens it in that direction. You will be able to find dozens of surgeons willing to do it, but if your laxity is too great, you will have only gained scars without improvement in your arm contours.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear peachykeen77,
It is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If your problem is mainly fat tissue, then a liposuction should do the trick. However, if you have loose skin, then you will probably need a lift in order to get good results. 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

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the photos it doesn't appear that an arm lift is needed to achieve good results.  You can consider liposuction with J-Plasma for tightening or BodyTite.  This minimally invasive procedure uses RF technology to tighten skin and can be combined with liposuction.  No general anesthesia is required.  I've included a video I hope you find helpful.

David Nguyen, MD · Answer

Hi peachykeen77,
Because the excess skin and fat extend all the way down your arm, I think it would be a waste of money to only get a mini-arm lift. You likely won't be happy with your results. I would recommend getting a full arm lift with liposuction or not getting it at all. Blessings on your journey!

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