Mini arm lift WITH or WITHOUT lipo? (Photos)

Question

I have a lot of skin laxity in my upper arm and forearms, but the main issue is the crepey skin by my armpit area. I was recommended a mini arm lift but some surgeons are not recommending liposuction and said it would make my results worse and cause even more loose skin. When I touch and pinch my arm skin right now it wrinkles and isn’t taut. I only want the mini arm lift for minimal scarring but should I do it with some lipo or without and do skin excision only?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Hascgauajanmama, Thank you for your question regarding "mini arm lift WITH or WITHOUT lipo". Thank you for your history and your pictures. First, we should analyze your pictures to determine the best arm procedure. You have mild lipodystrophy (excess fat) from the axillae (armpit) to the elbow. You have mild cutis pleonasmus (excess skin) and dermatocholosis (loose skin) from the axillae (armpit) to the halfway down your arm. Since you have arm fat and loose skin, you need more than just arm lipo. You need an arm lift. A "mini" arm lift could be the removal of a crescent area of excess arm skin, or a “mini" arm lift could be a limited incision from the armpit down the inner arm. You will obtain the best results with a limited incision down the inner arm. If you choose the crescent arm lift, you will not see much improvement in your arms. If you undergo the "mini" arm lift with the limited incision down the inner arm, most plastic surgeons would highly suggest you have arm liposuction with the "mini" arm lift. Arm liposuction should be performed first. During the same surgery, if lipo results in loose arm skin, it can be pulled tightly and surgically removed. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction and whether you need a mini arm lift WITH or WITHOUT lipo. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty, or arm crease fat grafting, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. To get an accurate assessment of what exactly you need, schedule a free virtual consultation. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations. Since an arm lift can be a challenging surgery, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of lifts. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 100 arm lift procedures. 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, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, 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.)

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on these photos it would be my recommendation to consider arm lift (skin removal only), possibly associated with skin tightening procedure, like J Plasma (Renuvion). In person or teleconference consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience with this procedure is recommended. Good luck.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello,

It sounds like you have a combination of loose, crepey skin and possibly some fat in the upper arms. With mini arm lifts, the key is that removing excess skin is usually what creates the visible improvement, especially in the area near the armpit.

Adding liposuction can sometimes make the skin appear looser if your skin doesn’t have enough elasticity to shrink back, which is why some surgeons advise against it. If your skin wrinkles and folds when pinched, it suggests that skin excision alone may give a better, more predictable result than combining it with lipo.

A mini arm lift is designed for minimal scarring, but keep in mind it mainly addresses the upper inner arm near the armpit—not the full length of the arm. Your best approach is an in-person consultation where we can assess your skin quality and determine whether lipo would help or hurt the overall outcome.

Check out the supporting link to this answer!

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Your photographs are somewhat limited. It does not appear that you have excess fat. Sometimes liposuction is done at the time of an arm lift to break up the adhesions and make the surgery technically easier. Fat necessarily does not have to be sucked out, just the liposuction technique is used to separate the skin from the underlying tissue to make for a safer dissection. However, you may benefit from a mini arm lift with just a transverse incision that extends within the axilla only.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, arm skin can be stubborn, especially that inner, upper area.

There will always be some skin crinkling, more obvious with movement.

In my experience, Vaser ultrasound liposuction can address stubborn fat and tighten skin (improve to a degree) and I will routinely include that area.. This will avoid skin removal scars. Your arms appear to have good contour and not require much treatment otherwise.

In my opinion, the mini arm lift has limited application and I usually do not perform it.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Liposuction is sometimes combined with an arm lift in order to get the most natural and optimal contour for the arms.  Any skin laxity from liposuction will be influenced by the amount of fat removed.  You can consider other treatments along with the mini arm lift to improve skin laxity such as J-Plasma. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your series of nicely post to photos, I still recommend a virtual consultation. I agree that a mini arm lift with Jay plasma or Endo laser would be a better options expect fees to range from $6000-$8000. Again, best of virtual consult with.

Mini arm lift WITH or WITHOUT lipo? (Photos)

Answers (7)

More Arm Lift Questions

Size 4, 133 pounds. I HATE my arms! What treatment options would be best? (Photo)

Lipo and weight loss, left with saggy, lumpy arms. How can I improve the rippling? (Photos)

Would I be a good candidate for a mini arm lift? (Photos)

Arm lift options with minimally invasive scar? (Photo)

I developed PAH after a non-invasive procedure. Do I need an Arm Lift or Is there a less invasive option? (Photos)

Can a mini arm lift be performed on the lower portion of the upper arms only? (Photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS