Do I need to reach my goal weight before an arm lift if significant laxity is already causing problems?

Dear 0username0,

Congratulations on your incredible journey of weight loss and the dedication you've shown through lifestyle changes.

In my practice, while approaching procedures like brachioplasty, I place great emphasis on the stability of the patient's weight. I typically recommend that my patients maintain a stable weight for at least three months prior to any body contouring procedure. This provides a consistent foundation from which to work and tends to produce more predictable and lasting outcomes.

Now, addressing your concerns about the possibility of additional weight loss after the procedure: I understand the apprehension. However, in my experience, I've never had to redo a brachioplasty because a patient lost more weight post-surgery. When I perform the procedure, I ensure the arms are tightened sufficiently. This means that even if further weight loss occurs, the skin and underlying tissues typically contract and adapt, preserving the improved contour achieved during the surgery.

Given the functional and emotional challenges you've described due to the current state of your arms, it might be beneficial to consider addressing these issues sooner. Nonetheless, I'd recommend an in-depth consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. They can offer insights tailored to your specific situation and guide you in making an informed decision that aligns with your immediate needs and long-term aspirations.

Hello,Without photos, it would be difficult to give you good advice, however given your height and weight it sounds like a comprehensive treatment that includes liposuction and brachioplasty will give you a great result now. Please visit a few ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeons.Best of luck!

I appreciate your question.

Congratulations on your weight loss!

For health and safety reasons, best to be at a BMI less than 30 or within 10 pounds of your goal weight and stable at that weight for 6 months prior to surgery for optimal results.



The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.



Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.



Best of luck!



Dr. Schwartz



Board Certified Plastic Surgeon



Director-Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute



#RealSelf100Surgeon



#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thank you for your question.  I can understand your desire to take care of your arms now as loose, flabby upper arms can be quite bothersome. If you were my patient I would advise you to wait if you are sure that you will get to your goal weight. The reason is that I would have two choices in approaching your surgery.  The first would be to make your arms look good at your present weight (which is what I would do).  If you loose another 40 pounds then your arms are most likely going to loosen up again and you will need to undergo the surgery again for them to look as good as possible.  The second would be to aggressively contour down the arms in anticipation of your eventual weight loss (which I don't think anyone who knows what they are doing would do).  This would make your upper arms look disproportionately small compared  to the rest of your body and would look strange. If you never make it to your goal weight or if you gain some of it back you would be stuck with that appearance. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you see a plastic surgeon with experience in upper arm contouring who understands the importance of proper scar placement. Ask to see pictures of their own results and make sure that they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and also, preferably, a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

It is advised before you have any major surgery to get to your goal weight first. Continuing to lose weight after you undergo surgery could cause you to need additional surgery again in the future. You have to remember that you are undergoing this surgery due to weight loss, so undergoing additional weight loss post-operatively will have the same effect. It is hard to say how much weight is safe to lose without causing additional droop, so it is best to go ahead and get to your goal weight to prevent ruining your surgical results.