Is an arm lift seven years after botched arm lipo my only option? (Photos)

Question

7 years ago I had a botched arm lipo procedure . I consulted with a few surgeons over the years and arm lift was the only solution with a big scar. Considering advances with fat grafting, could this be an option as well to fill in the crevices? Looking for advice, I hate my arms!

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Your fat arm fat was over-resected. Another alternative would be judicious fat grafting with the knowledge you may need another round in 6 months.

Tyler Sbrocchi, MD · Answer

This is a great question and your concerns are valid. There are several options to address these concerns. Fat grafting can be a good option to address the contour irregularities and fill in the deficits which may take more than one surgery to completely correct as only a certain amount of fat survives each time. It also wont address any loos skin. A Brachioplasty will better address any loose skin as well as the skin changes you are seeing but there is a larger scar, however, there are things that can be done to minimize scarring and improve scar quality. It is best to have an in person consult with a plastic surgeon in order to best determine the right plan for you and your goals.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

What you're describing can happen after arm liposuction when too much fat is removed. This is exactly why, when we perform liposuction on the arms, we tell patients in advance that we cannot take out all of the fat &mdash; over-resection can leave behind sagging and contour irregularities like the crevices you're seeing. The right plan depends on two separate issues: skin laxity (loose, hanging skin) and contour irregularity (the dips and divots themselves), and each is treated differently, which is why an arm lift isn't always the only option.
If your main concern is the dips and crevices and your skin still has reasonable tone, fat grafting can be a suitable option &mdash; your own fat is harvested, processed, and injected in small amounts to refill the depressions and smooth the surface, often combined with subcision to release the scar bands tethering the skin down. This is sometimes done in stages, since a portion of grafted fat reabsorbs. If there is significant loose skin, fat grafting alone will not tighten it, and an arm lift (brachioplasty) &mdash; or a combination of a limited arm lift plus fat grafting &mdash; may be more appropriate. Your concern about the scar is valid: the brachioplasty incision carries a real risk of widening or hypertrophic healing, so this trade-off should be weighed carefully against the contour benefit.
The most reliable next step is an in-person evaluation by a plastic surgeon, who can assess your skin quality and the depth of the irregularities and determine the most appropriate approach for your case.

Is an arm lift seven years after botched arm lipo my only option? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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