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Vaser lipo or arm lift?

I'm a 25 year old female and I've always been slightly overweight but my arms are not in proportion with the rest of my body and simply stick out like a sore thumb. The size of my arms in comparison to my forearm and shoulder is abnormal. I met with a surgeon who recommended vaser lipo or brachioplasty however I don't want excess skin post lipo or a scar post the arm lift. How can I tighten the skin If I go ahead with lipo? I'm really confused and would appreciate any advice. Thanks

Doctor Answers 3

Arm lift arm reduction brachioplasty arm liposuction VASER arm liposuction arm liposculpturing anesthesia

August 14th, 2016
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Hello,Thank you for your question regarding VASER arm liposuction versus an arm lift.  Thanks for your history and pictures. Based on your weight history, and pictures, I would definitely suggest a full arm lift.  If you elected to have VASER arm liposuction, either not enough fat will be removed or too much fat will be removed and then you will have hanging skin.  You need a full arm lift.  Your arm lift would involved arm fat removal with liposuction and arm skin removal by excision.  To minimize your brachioplasty scar, I would suggest arm compression garments for six to eight weeks.  Also, I would suggest silicone scar cream and silicone strips for six months.  If the scar is still not optimal, I would suggest a Fraxel laser.  However, less than 1% of my arm lift patients have laser scar treatment because the arm scar usually heals so well.  You stated “I don't want excess skin post lipo or a scar post the arm lift”.  Unfortunately, you cannot have it both ways. You either have VASER arm liposuction and resulting hanging skin or have an arm lift with the resulting scar.  Sorry.  Thank you for your questions about an arm lift, brachioplasty, and VASER arm liposuction. Again, I would go with an arm lift.     If you have any other questions pertaining to an arm lift, brachioplasty, or VASER arm liposuction, please contact my office. Sincerely,Dr. J. Timothy Katzen

Web reference: http://timothykatzenmd.com/body/arm-lift-brachioplasty/

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS
August 14th, 2016

Arm lift arm reduction brachioplasty arm liposuction VASER arm liposuction arm liposculpturing anesthesia

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Hello,Thank you for your question regarding VASER arm liposuction versus an arm lift.  Thanks for your history and pictures. Based on your weight history, and pictures, I would definitely suggest a full arm lift.  If you elected to have VASER arm liposuction, either not enough fat will be removed or too much fat will be removed and then you will have hanging skin.  You need a full arm lift.  Your arm lift would involved arm fat removal with liposuction and arm skin removal by excision.  To minimize your brachioplasty scar, I would suggest arm compression garments for six to eight weeks.  Also, I would suggest silicone scar cream and silicone strips for six months.  If the scar is still not optimal, I would suggest a Fraxel laser.  However, less than 1% of my arm lift patients have laser scar treatment because the arm scar usually heals so well.  You stated “I don't want excess skin post lipo or a scar post the arm lift”.  Unfortunately, you cannot have it both ways. You either have VASER arm liposuction and resulting hanging skin or have an arm lift with the resulting scar.  Sorry.  Thank you for your questions about an arm lift, brachioplasty, and VASER arm liposuction. Again, I would go with an arm lift.     If you have any other questions pertaining to an arm lift, brachioplasty, or VASER arm liposuction, please contact my office. Sincerely,Dr. J. Timothy Katzen

Learn more: http://timothykatzenmd.com/body/arm-lift-brachioplasty/

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS

ArmLift or lipo?

June 24th, 2016
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Hi - from your pictures I would be concerned that liposuction alone (even Vaser) would leave you with significant skin excess which would need to be surgically removed with an armlift. One option would be liposuction first then a secondary armlift if (when) necessary although of course this is 2 procedures and 2 anaesthetics. 

Good luck
Dan Marsh, PhD, FRCS(Plast)
June 24th, 2016

ArmLift or lipo?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hi - from your pictures I would be concerned that liposuction alone (even Vaser) would leave you with significant skin excess which would need to be surgically removed with an armlift. One option would be liposuction first then a secondary armlift if (when) necessary although of course this is 2 procedures and 2 anaesthetics. 

Good luck
Dan Marsh, PhD, FRCS(Plast)

Vaser lipo or arm lift.

June 16th, 2016
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Hello and thank you for your question. Both procedures you mention in your post are definite solutions that could be used to help. I personally recommend the brachioplasty for the best results, although I am not sure your full expectations could be met. In most procedures, a scar will be left that will slowly fade with time. Your surgeon recommends vaser lipo as your other option, although I disagree based on your questions above because the tightening of the skin with only a lipo procedure is very difficult. Because of the nature of these surgeries and how personal each one is, it may be beneficial to get a second in-person diagnosis from a board certified plastic surgeon before going forward with a decision. Best wishes!
Jaime Perez, MD
June 16th, 2016

Vaser lipo or arm lift.

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hello and thank you for your question. Both procedures you mention in your post are definite solutions that could be used to help. I personally recommend the brachioplasty for the best results, although I am not sure your full expectations could be met. In most procedures, a scar will be left that will slowly fade with time. Your surgeon recommends vaser lipo as your other option, although I disagree based on your questions above because the tightening of the skin with only a lipo procedure is very difficult. Because of the nature of these surgeries and how personal each one is, it may be beneficial to get a second in-person diagnosis from a board certified plastic surgeon before going forward with a decision. Best wishes!
Jaime Perez, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.