5’1, 120lbs & lipedema all over my body - are these expectations for arm lift/lipo reasonable?

Question

I am 5’1 and 120 lbs. I have lipedema all over my body. I have a series of 3 surgeries scheduled for lipo/skin excision to my entire body. My arms will be done in Dec. My upper arm circumference is 11 inches, widest part of forearm is 10 inches, and wrist bone is 6 inches. Is it reasonable to expect (w/ lipo & skin excision) for my upper arms to be 8 inches after and 7 inches for my forearm? Skin excision lipo will be from shoulder to wrist.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello ALY2020, thank you for your question regarding lipedema and arm lift expectations.

Thank you for your history and your picture. I believe decreasing your arm size with arm and forearm liposuction and skin excision is a great idea for the treatment of your lipedema. Liposuction will remove the diseased fat and help with your lipedema. Unfortunately, because of the excess arm skin, you may require an arm reduction or brachioplasty from the armpit to the wrist. I believe this is already planned.

As far as decreasing your upper arm circumference from 11 to 8 inches and your forearm from 10 to 7 inches, this sounds reasonable. Plastic surgeons consider the numbers and measurements, but of more importance is the tightness of the arm skin. If the arm skin can be made tighter that would be great, and you would get even skinnier arms. In regards to the opposite end of the spectrum, if the arms are too tight, less arm skin will be removed. Nonetheless, arm lipo with arm skin excision is a great surgery for lipedema.

Measurements are nice, but you should trust the plastic surgery process. Anticipation of arm lift results is a nice exercise, however, you should be content with your results, which are dependent on your arm skin tension and the plastic surgeon’s skills. Good luck. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding reasonable expectations for your arm lift and liposuction.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Luis Suarez, MD · Answer

The outcome depends on factors like how severe your lipedema is, your skin's elasticity, and your surgeon's expertise. Generally, a reduction of 1-2 inches is more achievable. It's important to have a discussion with your surgeon to confirm your objectives and to emphasize overall improvement rather than precise measurements.

5’1, 120lbs & lipedema all over my body - are these expectations for arm lift/lipo reasonable?

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5’1, 120lbs & lipedema all over my body - are these expectations for arm lift/lipo reasonable?

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Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

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