Liposuction to Arms: Too Much Fat Taken Out - Will Fat Return?

Question

My arms were obviously over liposucked! they feel like skin and bones 5 months after surgery. Is there hope? For some fat to come back? For more skin retraction? For anything?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, the only way fat generally returns to an area is if you gained an excessive amount of weight. However, this would mean that the rest of your body would increase as well, something that you probably don't want to happen. you may want to consider an arm lift to remove the excess skin that may have not been able to retract following your surgery. This would give your arms a leaner, more sculpted look. However, I recommend you talk to your surgeon to express your disappointment. They may be able to recommend a solution.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

A before and after photo would be very helpful to give you more precise advice. If you really have had too much liposuction and there is no longer an appropriate layer of fatty tissue between the skin and muscles of the arm, your problems could be difficult to correct. More likely, your issue is that you now appear to have a very deflated skin envelope. You probably have not had too much liposuction performed, it is more likely that you have not had enough skin removed. You might be able to correct the issue with a brachioplasty surgery that removes the excess skin and tightens the arm. There is a scar involved, but the improvement in the shape of the arm can be dramatic.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Without a picture it's impossible to give a specific opinion. However wears there may be some fatty return with overall weight gain, substantial replenishment of fat after aggressive liposuction is unlikely.

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

We are all born with a fixed number of fat cells, distributed
all over the body in a distribution determined by gender and genetics. 
Each individual fat cell, or adipocyte, can and does get larger or smaller with
weight gain and loss.  Laser Liposuction will decrease the number of fat
cells present in the targeted area.  It will not eliminate the ability to
gain or lose weight overall and therefore should never be used as a substitute
for diet and exercise.  But, what typically happens is that since the
number of fat cells is now much less in the area of concern, the weight that
the patient gains with normal fluctuation will go preferentially to other
untreated areas with a greater number of fat cells (although some can come back
to the treated areas since the fat cells are decreased but not completely eliminated
from one area).

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

Please update with pictures and more information. At this point we have nothing to go on but with more information we may be able to give you a few opinions on what to do.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Pictures or an exam would be helpful to make recommendations.  Sometimes fat grafting or an arm lift may be helpful. Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Hayley Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Without an exam or photos, it is difficult to assess your situation. Weight gain or arm exercise may improve the situation. I wouldn't expect any sort of dramatic skin retraction at this time. Liposuction does not tighten skin. I would see your plastic surgeon who will offer the best advice.

Jeremy Pyle, MD · Answer

What you describe is a challenge and speaks to the importance of treatment planning.  The hardest part of plastic surgery is not the procedures, it is knowing what person should get what treatment.  If you have a problem of dramatic skin excess without much fat, it is very unlikely that your problem will solve itself. If, at 5 months, the problem persists then it may be time to talk about removing the excess skin as a brachioplasty. This operation has many different forms and I would encourage you to find a plastic surgeon who is comfortable with multiple versions of the surgery. Best,Dr. Pyle

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is not likely that fat will return into your arms unless you gain weight or unless you have fat injected.  Best to be seen in person.

Liposuction to Arms: Too Much Fat Taken Out - Will Fat Return?

Answers (9)

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