After 4 stone weight loss, do I need an arm lift? (Photos)

Whether you need an arm lift depends on whether the problem is loose skin or remaining fat, and after a four stone weight loss it is usually skin. A simple test at home is to pinch the loose tissue on the inner arm: if it hangs as a thin fold when you raise your arms, liposuction alone will not help and only skin removal will tighten it. If the fold is thick and mostly fat, liposuction may be enough. A brachioplasty leaves a long scar on the inner arm from the elbow toward the armpit, and that trade off is worth it only when the laxity is clearly visible. Make sure your weight has been stable for at least six months before any surgery. The final decision can only be made by physical examination.

You have excess hanging skin and would benefit from an arm lift. This can be done two different ways: one is a transverse incision in the axilla or a long arm incision down the arm to the elbow.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Unfortunately, after large weight loss, the arms can remain stubborn.

Best results would be with an arm lift. Trade off is scar down the inside of the arm and into armpit.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to confirm this as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Hi landerskerry1234, Thank you for your question regarding whether you need an arm lift after a 4-stone weight loss. 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 elbow. A longitudinal brachioplasty, also known as a longitudinal arm lift, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arms and improve the contour of the arms. It can be particularly helpful for patients who have significant skin laxity or excess tissue following weight loss or aging. During a longitudinal brachioplasty, liposuction of the upper arm is typically performed first. Liposuction may extend from the armpit (axilla) toward the elbow to remove excess fatty tissue and improve the overall contour of the arm. An incision is then made along the inner portion of the upper arm, generally positioned in the natural groove between the biceps and triceps muscles. One of the advantages of placing the incision in this location is that the resulting brachioplasty scar can be less noticeable when the patient’s arms are resting naturally at their sides. The surgical dissection is carried toward the posterior aspect of the arm. Excess skin and underlying fatty tissue are carefully removed, and the remaining skin is redraped to create a tighter, smoother, and more contoured upper arm. Drains are usually not required following a longitudinal brachioplasty, although the decision depends on the individual patient, the extent of tissue removal, and the surgical technique used. A longitudinal brachioplasty is generally performed under general anesthesia. The procedure typically takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the amount of excess skin and fat and whether additional procedures are performed at the same time. Patients should generally plan for approximately 2 weeks of recovery before returning to many normal activities. The exact recovery period varies depending on the extent of surgery and the patient’s individual healing process. A compression garment is typically worn for approximately 6 weeks to help control postoperative swelling and support the healing tissues. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions regarding garment use, activity restrictions, wound care, and when you can gradually return to exercise. The goal of longitudinal brachioplasty is to reduce excess upper-arm skin and fat while creating a more defined and proportionate arm contour. The procedure can be especially useful when liposuction alone would not adequately address significant skin laxity. Patients considering an arm lift should have an individualized consultation to determine whether longitudinal brachioplasty, liposuction alone, or another arm-contouring procedure is most appropriate for their anatomy and goals. 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 certain they have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. I hope that I have answered your question regarding whether you need an arm lift after a 4-stone weight loss. 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.)