Would lipo be enough or would I need an arm lift? (Photos)

Question

Really dont like the scars from arm lift, is it possible I could get away with just lipo or not?

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience, similar patients benefit from Vaser ultrasound liposuction to remove stubborn fat and tighten skin at the same time.

This avoids the arm lift scar.

Skin tightening cannot be guaranteed but will likely improve significantly.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Curvesfordayz, Thank you for your question regarding would lipo be enough, or would I need an arm lift. Thank you for your history and your pictures. First, we should analyze your pictures to determine the best procedures. According to your pictures, you have mild upper 1/3 to 1/2 cutis pleonasmus (excess skin), moderate dermatocholosis (loose skin), minimal stretch marks (stria), and moderate upper 1/3 to 1/2 arm lipodystrophy (excess fat). To make a determination, more information is required. Age determines the ability of skin to bounce. Therefore, how old are you? Sun damage determines the ability of skin to recoil after liposuction. Do you have a history of significant sun exposure? A history of significant weight loss determines the ability of skin to recoil after liposuction. Have you lost a lot of weight? Therefore, if you are younger than 50, have minimal sun exposure, have no history of significant weight loss, and are in good health, you may be a candidate for VASER arm liposuction. However, if you are over 50, have a history of sun exposure, and have weight loss, you would do better with an arm lift (arm reduction or brachioplasty). Good luck. I hope I have answered your questions regarding whether lipo would be enough or if you would need an arm lift. 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 150 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, FASMBS, FASBPS (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.)

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

It sounds like you are feeling some real frustration. Arm lift (brachioplasty) scars can be quite long and noticeable, so it is completely understandable that you would want to avoid them if possible.

However, you hit the nail on the head with your own conclusion: if there is significant sagging skin, liposuction alone will not fix it.

Think of sagging arm skin like a stretched-out balloon. If you use liposuction, you are removing the fat underneath, which deflates the balloon. Instead of snapping back, the empty, loose skin will simply hang down even more, often creating a wrinkled or "crepey" appearance that patients dislike more than the original fullness, it can be determinated in a final consultation with your doctor.

Dr. Luis Mejia
Let's Make It Better

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

Thank you for including photos it allows me to make a customized recommendation. 
In your position, I would recommend a short scar arm lift and liposuction with skin tightening (renuvion or something similar). The incision for this procedure in just along the arm/armpit junction and is hidden 95% of the time. It is much less noticeable than a traditional arm lift scar. This will address the loose skin right next to the armpit but wont have significant impact along the remainder of the arm.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

The deciding factor is skin elasticity, not the amount of fat. If your skin is firm and springs back when pinched, liposuction alone (sometimes with radiofrequency-assisted tightening) can give a nice contour without scars. But if there is loose, hanging skin, lipo alone will remove volume and can actually make the drooping look worse. A middle option for mild laxity is a limited/short-scar arm lift with the incision hidden in the armpit. Your photos suggest the answer lies in that skin-quality assessment &mdash; pinch test findings determine which path is realistic.

Would lipo be enough or would I need an arm lift? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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