Arm lift vs lipo: what would be the best option to tone my arms? (Photos)

Judging from the pictures, it seems that you could have a reasonably nice result with liposuction alone (which comes with a mild degree of skin contraction) since it does not appear that you have excessively loose skin. An in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon is necessary to feel the soft tissue excess and skin laxity to determine if you are a good candidate for this. 

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

Thank you for your inquiry! Based on the photos, you could get liposuction and then renuvion to help tighten the area. We would love to meet and discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

Thank you for your question regarding whether you need arm liposuction or an arm lift. Based on your pictures, especially the back of your arms, I highly suggest you undergo an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty. I don’t think liposuction is enough for your arms. You have a significant amount of excess skin and some stretch marks. Therefore, I would opt for a brachioplasty. During an arms reduction, liposuction is performed, and a large elliptical area of skin and fat is removed from the armpit to the elbow. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The arm lift, or arm reduction, takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete. Please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing arm lifts. Good luck.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Great question!  Understand that liposuction is a volume only procedure and will do nothing to the skin.  If you feel that you have only a volume issue, then this maybe good enough for you.  However, if you have excess skin, then you would need an arm lift - however, this does come with a scar.   Without an examination it is hard to say which one is the best way to go for you.  It is best to speak with your surgeon about this issue and see what he/she says.Best of luck and hope this information helps!
- Dr. Roger Tsai   @DrRogerTsai
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

From your photos, you appear to be a good candidate for BodyTite with liposuction of the arms. BodyTite does not remove any fat, but it is capable of producing a 45% contraction in tissues. Results can be seen immediately after one treatment and are more evident over three to six months post-treatment. Wait until six months to fully evaluate the aesthetic results.  Sedentary activities can be resumed in two to three days and full activity with exercise within two to three weeks.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Dear AZmamacb,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you main problem is excess fat tissue, liposuction can provide great results. However, if you have loose skin, then arm lift should be done. 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

Hello! Thank you for your question. Based on your photos, it is difficult to determine if you would be a better candidate for arm lift surgery and/or arm liposuction. The answer really depends on the quality of your skin and the amount of excess skin/fat on your arms. But, keep in mind that you are already undergoing a large amount of surgery. You should speak to your plastic surgeon about your concerns and (if you are a candidate for either arm lift surgery or arm liposuction) ask whether your plastic surgeon feels comfortable about doing the procedure on the same day as the rest of your surgeries. I hope this answers your question. Best of luck!
Matthew A. DelMauro, M.D.

Its possible you will be disappointed with the results of liposuction alone.  Liposuction only removes excess fat it address issues of skin laxity or excess.  Liposuction if performed on its own my deflate you too much and leave unsightly loose skin.  Discuss your options with your plastic surgeon