Brachioplasty or BodyTite for loose skin in the upper arm area? (Photos)

Question

I am a 30 year old female with a history of PCOS. Over the past few years I’ve lost 10–15 kg and currently weigh 54–55 kg. My BMI is healthy, and I consistently strength train, spin, walk, and maintain a high-protein, calorie-controlled diet My concern is not fat but loose skin/laxity in my upper arms. Despite long-term training and non-invasive treatments like MNRF, I’ve seen no improvement. Multiple doctors confirmed this is skin laxity rather than excess fat, and further weight loss may worsen the appearance. I consulted two surgeons: • One recommended brachioplasty. • The second advised BodyTite (RFAL) instead, as my laxity is mild-moderate and not severe enough to justify long excisional scars. She estimated 50–70% improvement, possibly enhanced with 1–2 Morpheus8 sessions after. My questions: Is 50–60% improvement realistic in a lean 30-year-old? Is BodyTite considered safe in healthy patients? My biggest anxiety is anesthesia, as I’ve never undergone surgery before. How safe is general anesthesia for a ~2.5 hour elective procedure in a healthy 30-year-old?

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

From what I can see in those four pictures, your laxity is in the mild to moderate range. Not the kind of loose drape you would associate with a long inner arm scar from elbow all the way to the armpit. The second surgeon is spot on in the diagnosis. For where you stand right now with weight, BMI, skin quality and age, I would do BodyTite and a touch of conservative lipo (not enough to drain the whole arm) combined with Morpheus 8. About a half-year later, a round or two of Morpheus8 after that.

For a fit 30-something with PCOS-related skin laxity, yes, you are realistically looking at 50-60 percent improvement with those methods. You are not going to get the brachioplasty result unless you want a brachioplasty scar. That scar runs down the inner length of the arm and does not fade into nothing. Huge trade-off there.

If you were a healthy 30-year-old you could still generally tolerate a 2.5 hour elective plastic case under general without issues. I do most of these BodyTite arm cases with general or maybe a bit of IV sedation, but it can be done with local.

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

Brachioplasty or BodyTite for loose skin in the upper arm area? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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