Should I get arm surgery while I get a breast reduction at the same time or should I do a different procedure? (photo)

Question

I am 24 years old and in the process of losing weight. I've been planning on getting a breast reduction for quite a while, currently a 36H. My arms is another big concern as they're still flabby. There's even dark lines in between rolls of skin and ingrown hairs. I'm not sure if my arm requires an arm lift, lipo, or if I would qualify for something noninvasive. If I do something that I would have to go under for, would I be able to get it done at the same time as my breast reduction surgery?

James M. Economides, MD, FACS · Answer

It's great that you're planning ahead as you work toward your goals. Let’s address both your concerns:

1. Arm Contouring (Lift vs. Lipo vs. Non-Invasive):
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): If there is significant skin laxity (flabbiness) and rolls of skin, especially after weight loss, an arm lift might be the best option. This procedure removes excess skin and fat to tighten the arm and give a smoother contour.
Liposuction: If the main concern is fat rather than loose skin, liposuction alone might be effective. However, if the skin isn’t elastic enough, liposuction could leave you with sagging skin.
Non-Invasive Options: Treatments like CoolSculpting or radiofrequency-based skin tightening (e.g., BodyTite) can reduce fat and tighten skin to some degree, but they are most effective for mild cases. Given your concerns about skin folds and ingrown hairs, it sounds like a more surgical approach may give you better results.
2. Combining Procedures:
Breast Reduction and Arm Lift/Liposuction Together: It is possible to combine procedures like a breast reduction and an arm lift or liposuction during the same surgery. Many surgeons perform multiple procedures at once to minimize downtime and recovery. However, this depends on your overall health, how long the combined surgeries would take, and the surgeon’s assessment of your case.
Recovery Considerations: Combining procedures can be convenient, but keep in mind that recovery may be more challenging if both your arms and chest are healing at the same time. Make sure to discuss the recovery process and support you’ll need with your surgeon.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question regarding what to do with your arms. First, lose as much as you can.  Once you are at a stable weight for 3 months then, I would suggest a breast reduction and an arm reduction or arm lift.  The medical word for the arm reduction is "brachioplasty". If you are healthy, I often combine the breast reduction surgery and arm reduction surgeries. Sometimes, both these procedures are covered by your medical insurance.  Whether you have the arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty done with or without your breast reduction, the brachioplasty is performed under general anesthesia (not local) with my board certified anesthesiologist.  Your brachioplasty would take me about 2 to 3 hours to complete.  I would perform arm liposuction and upper arm skin and fat excision on your arms. Your incision and resulting arm scar would extend from your armpit to your the middle of your arm or to your elbow. (It is difficult to tell exactly how long your scar would be from the pictures you posted.)  Non-invasive arm treatments will not work on your arms.  Also, since you have excess upper arm skin and fat, upper arm liposuction alone will not fix your problems.  If you just had upper arm liposuction, you would be left with a lot of loose upper arm skin.   Even if it is combined with your breast reduction, the brachioplasty is an out-patient procedure,  You would need to wear arm compression garments for about 6 to 8 weeks to minimize swelling and compress the arm scar.  I specialize in arm lifts.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction.  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.)

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Breast reduction and arm lift surgery can be performed safely at the same time by a board certified plastic surgeon. For the best results, schedule them once you have reached your goal weight and maintained it for several months.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

William J. Hedden, MD · Answer

It is up to you but here are a couple things to think about. Do you want to have to be under anesthesia twice? You most likely will save money if done together because you won't have to pay for anesthesia/facility fees twice. You will have to take off work twice. Do you want to deal with the down-time and recovery process twice? I hope this helps!

David Nguyen, MD · Answer

Hi lenabopz,
I would first recommend that you continue to lose weight until you are at the lowest you can maintain. This will give you the best results possible. Additionally, since I presume you are otherwise young and healthy, I assume you should be able to get both procedures done at the same time (I combine them often for my patients). It's is best to get evaluated by your surgeon so you can make this decision together. Blessings on your journey!

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Should I get arm surgery while I get a breast reduction at the same time or should I do a different procedure? (photo)

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.