Is it possible to have one arm done at a time for arm lift surgery?

It is possible to have an arm lift on one arm at a time, but it is an uncommon request.  You will need to go under anesthesia twice, have two recoveries, and likely have arms that look asymmetrical between the two procedures.  Is there a specific reason you want them separated?  I would recommend visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon who can give you more information on the procedure and help explore your options with you.  Best of luck.

Dear 301Linda,

Thank you for your question regarding the possibility of having an arm lift surgery performed one arm at a time. While it's more common to perform bilateral arm lift surgery for the sake of symmetry and a single recovery period, it is certainly possible to have an arm lift done one arm at a time.

In my practice, I have performed arm lifts in this manner for patients who, like you, preferred this approach. This is often a consideration for patients who may not have extensive support available for aftercare and would like to maintain a greater degree of independence during their recovery period.

There are a few reasons why some plastic surgeons might prefer to do both arms at once. This approach allows for a single recovery period, which means less total downtime for the patient. Additionally, performing both surgeries at once ensures symmetry, as the surgeon can make adjustments on the spot.

However, these factors should always be weighed against the unique needs and circumstances of the patient. If having one arm done at a time better suits your lifestyle and aftercare abilities, it's a viable option to discuss with your surgeon.

I hope this helps clarify your options. Best of luck with your decision.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Doing one arm at a time isn't a common request since the procedure is pretty well tolerated when it's done with minimal recovery.  Also, you'd have to go through the anesthesia and recovery twice if you divide up the arm lift.  I commonly combine arm lifts with other body contouring procedures to actually save recovery time and expenses for my patients due to the fact that combining procedures leads to great discounts for professional, anesthesia, and facility fees.Thanks for your question!Dr. Schreiber, Baltimore plastic surgeon

One side at the time is not frequently done without particular reason like lymphedema (swelling of one upper extremity or part of it as a result of breast cancer surgery), for example. However, it can be done. It will create temporary asymmetry which you may need to hide until opposite arm surgery is completed. It is hard to justify your decision to have this surgery done in two stages but you should discuss this with an experienced plastic surgeon in your area. Good luck.

Thank you for your question.  Although this is an unusual request, ther is no reason it cannot be staged.  You will incur higher costs by doing it in stages.  Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.