Arm lift or arm liposuction? Advise please (Photo)

Question

Hello Great Drs I wanted to know if an arm lift or liposuction will be preferred in my case. I wouldn't want a lift because of scars.. But just trying to inquire minds to see if Lipo will do me any good.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for reaching out with your question about choosing between an arm lift and arm liposuction, and for providing your history and photos. Your decision is an important one, and it's great that you are seeking detailed information to make an informed choice.
Excess Skin and Fat: Based on the photos and your description of excess skin and fat extending from the armpit to the elbow, and the presence of stretch marks, it sounds like you are experiencing conditions that liposuction alone may not fully address.
Stretch Marks and Skin Elasticity: Skin with stretch marks often lacks the necessary elasticity to respond effectively to liposuction. This is because stretch marks are essentially scars in the skin where the elastic fibers have been damaged, reducing the skin's ability to contract.
Area Around the Elbow: The presence of excess fat around the elbow can be particularly challenging, as this area may not contract well even with advanced liposuction techniques.
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Recommendation: A formal arm lift, or brachioplasty, which combines arm liposuction with the removal of excess skin, is likely to offer the best result in your case. This procedure involves an incision from the armpit to the elbow, allowing for the removal of excess skin and fat and resulting in a more contoured arm.
Concerns About Scarring: It's understandable to have concerns about the scars from an arm lift. However, considering your specific anatomical factors and the presence of stretch marks, an arm lift may be the most effective way to achieve significant improvements.
Liposuction Alone: While you can opt for arm liposuction, the outcome may not be as satisfying, given the likelihood of residual loose skin. Even with advanced techniques like VASER or J-Plasma, which are designed to tighten the skin to some degree, the amount of excess skin you have might be too significant for these methods alone to suffice.
Weighing Options: It's a matter of weighing the benefits of significant contouring improvement (with a brachioplasty) against the presence of scars, versus potentially suboptimal results from liposuction alone with less scarring.
Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon can provide further clarity. They can offer a more precise recommendation after a physical examination and a detailed discussion of your goals and concerns.
I hope this information helps you in making the best decision for your needs and goals. Wishing you the best as you consider your options.
Good luck, and take care.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for uploading your photos and for a great question. Based on the photos, you would be a good candidate for either an arm lift or liposuction to the upper arms with radiofrequency skin tightening (like BodyTite) if you are wanting to avoid the scars of an arm lift. In some angles, your arms look smaller than others, so it is hard to tell. 
It is important to know that although an arm lift does leave a large scar, it does a great job at removing excess skin and fat to the upper arms. It is up to you to decide whether you are willing to exchange excess fat and skin for a scar! Liposuction + skin tightening could be a good alternative for you to avoid the scar - you may not need an arm lift after this procedure. 
Good luck!

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Liposuction alone can have a dramatic effect on reduction of arm volume. The skin "hang" often is smaller/less as there is less volume. If desired, you can have a brachioplasty if you are wanting to maximize the rejuvenation of your arms. I would not hesitate to proceed with liposuction. Thank you.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry! You are a great candidate for a Brachioplasty procedure as that will remove excess skin to your arms. Liposuction to both arms can also be done in the same procedure. I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon like myself to create a surgical plan targeted towards your specific goals.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello; Your arms are very fatty and there is also loosening in your skin. Just like Liposuction or Vaserlipo; if fat pulling is applied; since it will not cause for any tightening on the skin; afterwards, ejaculated; a loose skin will remain. Therefore, along with fat removal process such as Liposuction or Vaserlipo; Renuvion J Plasma implementation; it would be much more convenient or Bodytite treatment is made; then, with Liposuction; fats can be withdrawn. In this way, using for plasma or radiofrequency; shortening of the collagen fibers in the skin and tightening of the skin can be achieved. These applications are never an alternative for arm stretching and are not as effective as skin removal; it cannot create for tightness. However, the patient; if she/he definitely does not want surgery scars and her/his skin does not have many cracks; Renuvion J Plasma or Bodytite process; it can give good and positive results without any incision.

Andrei Rios, MD · Answer

Hello aseri84, in my opinion there's a significant amount of excess skin and volume, which would prevent you from having good results with liposuction only. That zone in the arm is particularly bad at retracting after liposuction because it's usually composed of thin skin with less retractile components. I can also see some stretch marks, which mean that the skin doesn't have a great quality at this point and will not retract as much after a volume reducing procedure (liposuction only, or even combined with skin tightening technology). If you want the best results, or at least good results, I'd recommend opting for an arm lift.
Have a great day!

Carlos Marciales, MD · Answer

Hello, in the photos you can see that you have excess skin and fat accumulated on your arm, which is why I would recommend liposuction and skin removal in the same surgery to have a good result. Thank you.

Kristopher Hamwi, MD · Answer

When liposuction is performed (or someone has significant weight loss) it creates deflation of the skin. If the elasticity of the skin is good or the amount of fat being removed is small then the skin can contract adequately so an arm lift isn’t necessary. In contrast, if skin elasticity is poor or significant volume is being removed then the skin will tend to hang or develop wrinkles and an arm lift may be a better procedure to achieve your goals. In the video below I perform liposuction on a patient before I perform the brachioplasty so you can see what happens to the skin and why an arm lift might be desirable.

Rodolfo Castillo, MD · Answer

It must always be considered that liposuction is only for removing fat. When there is excess skin, only an arm lift can remove the excess skin. If only liposuction is performed on the arm, fat would be removed, but excess skin would still be present. It would be a matter of whether you prefer a scar or excess skin, because liposuction won't tighten up the skin. 
My best wishes, I hope it is helpful.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

If you truly wish to avoid the scars from an arm lift, liposuction would decrease the volume of your arm. Without the benefit of a physical examination, however,  I don’t know how elastic your skin is and how your skin would contour to the new smaller volume of your arm after the liposuction. If the skin does not snap back, you would have a smaller volume of your arm, but you may be unhappy with the redundancy of the skin. You would have to weigh whether you would be satisfied with a smaller arm volume and some slightly loose skin, or whether you would like the best result, which would be liposuction plus resection of the loose skin. Have a detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

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