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POSTED UNDER Arm Lift REVIEWS

Minimal Incision Arm-Lift & Arm Lipo at AGE 53- with Daniel Shapiro

ORIGINAL POST

I've always been a slender build, small hips, legs...

freedomh20October 22, 2014

WORTH IT$7,739

I've always been a slender build, small hips, legs and never weighing not much more than 112lbs and standing only 5'2'. However, I've inherited my mothers heavy arms...ugh! Seven years ago, I researched possible liposuction to reduce the excess fat and the PS that I visited at that time said I was an excellent candidate for liposuction. Well, here I am 7 years later, hiding my ugly bumpy, lumpy arms!!! I asked a question on RS and received some great feedback from the different PS'S...but honestly I believe my only real option is an arm-lift! Next month I have my first consultation with Dr. Daniel Shapiro in Phoenix, Arizona. I'm looking into doing a minimal incision arm-lift! My consult is booked for November 20th, 2014. I hope this consult goes well...as he might be the Dr. for me!

freedomh20's provider

Daniel Shapiro, MD

Daniel Shapiro, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

freedomh20 rating for Dr. Shapiro:

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Replies (84)

October 23, 2014

Good Luck!! I hope it goes well for you too! I was offered a short arm lift, one that extends a 3' from my arm pit. If the arm tuck doesn't work, maybe he can offer a short incision. Keep us posted!

October 23, 2014

Well, when I spoke to Dr.Shapiro's staff...they said he does quite a few each month, but it has to be the right person for it. So who knows who the right person is for a Minimal Incision Arm-Lift, hey? As you can see in my photo's~I have SOME loose skin, and little fat and mostly irregularities of the skin. Like...just gross! This was a result of liposuction...yes, yes...I can't wait for my consult~I have a whole list of questions! If all goes well, I'll be posting the surgery date and my 1st impression of Dr.Shapiro. And, ABSOLUTELY, I'd take a 3' incision that extends from my arm pit to get rid of these arms...I'll keep you posted for sure! If, If I'm the right candidate for the hidden incision arm-lift, I'll explain this in detail along with NEW photo's so as to clear up the Minimal Incision Arm-Lift mystery surgery!

October 24, 2014

Great!! I hope it works out ... I look forward to seeing your updates! :)

November 20, 2014

You know, to play devil's advocate, I wonder if it was the lipo or the simple process of aging, sagging skin? It seems that as skin thins and sags, all the imperfections below the surface are magnified. I *never* had this cellulite-looking front of my arms till about 2 years ago, when I turned 57. So I attributed it to age, mostly. I work those darn arms like a fiend at the gym, but whatever muscle or so-called TONING going on is completely obliterated by the loose, sagging, thinning skin. It's bizarre that we can get a lower face lift to pull our jawline taut, but solutions for a simple, straight line running from armpit to elbow seems like rocket science?!?!?

November 24, 2014

Agreed Miss Bugjune, I feel that the past lipo only accelerated the aging process of the skin on the underside of my arms.

October 24, 2014

I hope everything goes well. I just had an arm lift 5 weeks ago from Dr. Sean Lille in Scottsdale and he is amazing. My surgery was because of weight loss and he wound up taking 3 pounds off of each arm. Good Luck

October 25, 2014

WOW...awesome! Glad to hear about your successful arm-lift. Love to see some pictures. I'll keep everyone posted here on RS and I'll check out your Doctor right now!

October 29, 2014

Exact same thing happened to me. Your arms look just like mine. Every day I wish I hadn't done the lipo. I'm looking forward to hearing about your progress.

October 29, 2014

OMG! I'm sorry to hear that! Awful, isn't it? I think only an arm-lift can fix this now...and to make matters even more frustrating, there is little info anywhere on a short scar arm lift! And even here on RS there is only 156 Reviews on arm-lifts and half of the ladies are'nt posting pictures. Yes, I'll post updates for sure! I've requested my pre-op pictures from the PS who went to town on my arms seven years...just to show much he took out.

November 2, 2014

Hello. I'm thinking about the same procedure but was discouraged from several PS. That maybe because they do do many mini arm lifts. I did come across Dr. Aboolian who has several before & afters on his site. http://m.andreaboolian.com/before-after-photos-beverly-hills/arm-lift/#PhotoSwipe1414959817836 thought I'd share this link.

November 2, 2014

Hey...thanks Hlifee! It's so hard to find any photo's!

November 2, 2014

I just looked at the photo's and those are fantastic! A few of the short scar arm-lifts looked AWESOME! I can't wait for my consult! 19 more days! I'll post a few more pictures of my arms extended out next week. Maybe a can get a few RS sister opinions? Again thanks for the link.

November 2, 2014

Glad the site was helpful. I hope all goes well with your meeting this month. After my BL & TT, next will be my arms. I think I'll schedule a consult with Dr. Aboolian for my arms. I hope your meeting goes well.

November 2, 2014

Just looked at your pics again. I think you have the same issue as I do. You're not a weight loss patient with a lot if loose skin, and if you tuck a little under your armpit does it make a big difference? When I tuck or pinch my skin under my armpit (not by a lot) my skin looks smoother and when my arm is rested by my side. I don't get why some PS don't think it's worth doing. I have read stories online, if I find them again I can send you the link.

November 2, 2014

Yup, when I pull the skin and tuck it up under my arm...it all goes smooth, so yes it does make a huge difference. Haa..ha...just finished my TT/Lipo & BLA! I'm on Day 37 Recovery. My PS here doesn't do short scar arm-lifts...I sure would've like to do everything at once....oh well, maybe just as well. I would've done my consultation sooner with Dr. Shapiro but I wanted to be sure I was really healed and ready to travel. My results TT/BLA are amazing. Now....just to fix up these ARMS!

November 20, 2014

Totally agree!!! In my dreams, a simple triangle of skin measuring no more than 3" x 1.5" would be excised from the area towards the back of my armpit - just where it meets the BACK of my arm, if you can picture that. Pinching that area seems to smooth out the crimply, dimply stuff going on. Not only do I have crepey skin texture due to my age (59), but I have what clearly looks like cellulite along the entire front of my upper arm. It just looks disgusting in a sleeveless tops under MOST lighting. Victoria's Secret dressing room? Um, GET ME OUTTA HERE!

November 4, 2014

Thank You for sharing. I hope my recent;y lipo'd arms don't end up needing an arm lift in 7 years. UGH! :/ So many things the ps's don't tell us. Did they say why this happened? Best Wishes on your upcoming arm lift on the 20th.

November 4, 2014

Well, after the lipo, my arms looked pretty good for about 2-3 months....and once the swelling left, I noticed all the scar tissue that was forming and that the PS actually removed wayyyy to much fat! My arms looked dis-figured! However, my arms looked worse 5 years ago, than they are today, as I've had my arms thermaged 3x's and have been proactive at massaging them and adding muscle to improve the look. Bella....I don't think you'll have the same problem as I had, as I think your PS was much more experienced over my X-P/S!

November 4, 2014

thanks for explaining this to me. ARms are very difficult and meticulous procedure. I have read reviews where doctor's leave dents,asymmetry&take out too much fat in arms and thighs. I am so Happy you have a new ps :) I look forward to your beautiful transformation!

UPDATED FROM freedomh20

10 months pre

It was an AWESOME Consult with Dr.Shapiro on November the 20th!

freedomh20November 24, 2014

It's been only 3 days since my consult with Dr.Shapiro...and he was straight forward with me and took the time to explain in detail how I'm the perfect candidate for the Minimal Incision Arm-Lift and here's why:

#1. I have minimal skin but more than enough to pull the skin up tight to my arm-pits, giving my full arms a tight, smooth look. He pulled my arm skin up and showed me!
#2. I have hardly any excess fat
#3. It was the lipo that I had done that accelerated the aging process of my upper arms.
#4. The past lipo did leave irregularities of the remaining fat on my arms along with some loose skin! But the arm lift should smooth out 90% of the ugly mess, if not more!!!

Overall, I'm so impressed with Dr.Shapiro. He does at least 3-4 arm-lifts per month and he was very confident and even drew a diagram of how he would cut the skin and then suture everything back together. The incision has to be cut in a zig-zag covering the full crease of my arm-pit giving me a full upper arm lift. Because the skin would be sewn in a zig-zag, the scar would initially have some crinkles in the skin but would smooth out as it heals...(this is the only thing that makes me nervous)!

#1. I have the wear a garment for 4-6 weeks
#2. I have to stay over-night in the recovery centre
#3. I must stay in Scottsdale for 7-10 days
#4. The surgery is performed under a General
#5. The Surgery will take about 11/2 to 2 hours
#6. The cost is reasonable!

I'm now just looking for a day to book this life changing operation! SOOOO excited! I'll keep detailed pictures as I progress through this minimal incision arm-lift journey.

Replies (30)

November 24, 2014

Forgot to ask... did he show you before and after photos and did he give you patient referrals who've had the procedure? I would be curious to know how his patients feel about the procedure.

November 25, 2014

No before/after photo's because the photo's are kept confidential but yes, they'll give me some patients to contact and I guess it'll up to the patient if they want me to see their photo's. I'll keep you posted on this.

November 25, 2014

That's good, I hope the patients will share. Fingers crossed!!

November 24, 2014

Hey Givelife, THANKS so much for this update!! I'd been chewing my nails wondering when you'd log in ... ;-) It sure sounds like you have a rock-solid game plan for going ahead with this mini-arm lift. Like you, I'd also be a bit nervous about the zig-zag incision and how it would heal long-term. I'm guessing that several layers of skin/tissue would be cut in that pattern, and wonder ... do they ALL heal uniformly with no excess scar tissue, buckling or crimping? Would he perhaps use "cold laser" treatments to speed the healing? (My Vaser High Def Lipo surgeon did that on my abs.) Does it sound like this zig-zag incision would truly be hidden in all but a sleeveless top or bathing suit? Sounds intriguing ... How soon till you could do arm weights or have use of the arms again? Like I said, I do arm exercises just about DAILY, so I wonder if I'd have to miss several weeks of workouts. On the other hand, I've noticed that the more I work my arms, the MORE the cellulite appears! It's as if the dang lumpy layer lies right under the skin, and tightening the muscle just exposes that crimply stuff even more. Augh. Also, can you describe exactly where the "crease of your armpit" is, so I can picture how that zig-zag incision would cut across it? What kind of garment would you need to wear post-surgery? Thanks again for all your great info!

November 25, 2014

I'll take a picture of my under-arm then draw in how the incision would look. I'll e-mail Dr.Shapiro's office & ask them to send a picture of the garment. You can't lift your arms for 4-6 weeks and no lifting weights for that period of time as well. Sounds like you might be over training your arms?

November 25, 2014

WOW, that'd be great to see the location of the incision as well as what the support garment looks like! You know, I'd agree I was overtraining my upper arms IF they looked like they have any definition to them. I use various machines at the gym as well as 5-lb free weights, and dang if I don't look just like the flying squirrel who lands on our balcony from time-to-time. It just torques me that SO much effort delivers so little visible results on my arms. If I lift them and flex, there is a bit of definition. But in all other positions, you'd never even guess I lift a toothpick. AGE. It sucks.

November 25, 2014

I'll post my Before & After Photo's of my arms from 7 years ago as well. Ya, sucks that our arms so easily loose shape...even with all our hard training, hey? Also, I'm still recovering from a major BLA and Revision of a TT...I'm 8 weeks post, so I'm trying to figure a good date for my arm-lift. I only wish all of this could've been done together...but my PS didn't want too or know how to do a short scar arm-lift! Dang!

November 26, 2014

Hey, be VERY glad your surgeon was honest enough to tell you he didn't do short-scar arm-lifts! You are now free to purse the best possible option from the most experienced, qualified surgeon! :-)

November 26, 2014

Agreed...after-all this surgery is to fix the mess made by another surgeon. I swear....I DISLIKE LIPOSUCTION! It has caused me nothing but grief.

November 28, 2014

Ow. I can relate! My first ab lipo done in 2004 (age 49) left a large, hard garden hose of scar tissue across my abs. It was worse than the uniform slab of flab I'd had before. I think that's why the Vaser High Def Lipo I had done 5 yrs later by a different surgeon had such a brutal recovery. However!!! The lipo done on my muffin top and outer thighs done in 2012 to harvest fat for my facial injections was AWESOME!!! OMG, the surgeon (yet a 3rd one) helped me drop a whole pants size. :-)

November 28, 2014

That is so refreshing to hear some good feedback about lipo!

November 24, 2014

Just another thought ... have you ever looked into Cellulaze? This is a procedure that my Vaser High Def Lipo surgeon also does. It supposedly uses a laser-lipo type technique JUST under the surface of the skin to blast the cellulite layer (perhaps by cutting through the uneven connective tissue somehow). There are some impressive "before" and "after" shots on the web. So this is another option I want to discuss at my consult on 12/11. OW, to get smooth upper arms with NO surgery, GA or downtime would be ideal. I will definitely let you know what my surgeon recommends. At that time, I should also get some photos posted of my upper arms ... the better to understand my issues.

November 25, 2014

Yes, we discussed Cellulaze. Dr.Shapiro said Cellulaze doesn't do much for the inner thighs because the skin is thinner in that area. I wasn't an ideal candidate.

December 4, 2014

Good luck, I too am looking into that procedure. I am older, my weight Is @116, rather slender but 10 years ago I weighed 15-20lbs more & I lost it fast, losing muscle volume. Now w aging the area dropped, a little bit hanging & creepy. I'm hoping for minimal scar too. If I go ahead I will post because this site has been so helpful to me, I owe you!

December 5, 2014

Our poor arms get really beat up with age and weight loss! Love to see your review if you go ahead with it. Dr.Shapiro seems to be really great, however the true results will be when I have the surgery.

December 11, 2014

Just wanted to post a quick update: I cancelled my consultation for the arm lift that was to take place today - 11th Dec! I was sitting on a fence about the whole procedure, and felt maybe I was rushing in to things TOO fast. On top of which, the weather decided for me: humongous winter storm has moved in today with screaming wind and snow coming. It just didn't seem a good idea to battle traffic for the 5-hr round trip. However!! I had two treatments yesterday that went well: Gemini Iridex laser on backs of arms, hands to remove age spots; Juvey Ultra and Botox injections on face - first time I'd gone back to that combo in 4 years. The doc did a super job, and to my amazement, I have very little bruising. Ah well. I'd read that each surgery under anesthesia diminishes our brain cells, and since I've had 3 multi-hour surgeries in the past 10 years, I was also wondering if I shouldn't just proceed cautiously. It's a trade-off, but I hope whatever you decide, you get the optimal outcome for your upper arms!!

December 12, 2014

Ohhh how much fun to treat yourself with some non-invasion treatments. Just did my Botox today as well (neck & face). I do Botox about every 3 months (neck) face a little longer. Never heard of Gemini Iridex laser, does it work well? I'm doing Fraxel on my arms & hands next month to clean up my skin as well. Ya, I read that anesthesia can affect memory? I've had 6 BIG Surgeries well over 3 hours in length + 5 additional smaller surgeries under 2 hours (one of those BIG surgeries I donated a Kidney 13 years ago) Sooo I guess 11 surgeries over a 25 year span and as of yet, I don't keep an appointment calendar. Some of my appointments are booked back to back for months...and I know them all off the top of my head. However, I noticed that I'm forgetting things from years back but I think that might be somewhat normal...not really concerned about it thou. I'm really looking forward to getting my mini arm-lift~I'm just waiting on some dates. As soon as I have this figured out...I'll post. Thanks Bugjune for your up-date. I really enjoy hearing from you and I hope the weather gets better up in your neck of the woods.

UPDATED FROM freedomh20

10 months pre

Photo's from 7 YEARS Ago of Arm Lipo

freedomh20November 25, 2014

Hi RS Arm-Lift Sisters....so....I'm not sure what type of Lipo was done way back then, but I do know that my arms looked really good for the 1st 3 months and then...once the swelling was gone my skin appeared thin and creppy looking. I also had cord like lines all over the backs of my arms, almost like I'd been in a fire! It was horrible. Apparently, the doctor (who did the lipo) said it was scar tissue. I also noticed white spots all over the backs of my arms (loss of pigment) from the Lipo. All I can say...BAD, BAD experience!
I'm going to post another question..."Why is a Zig-Zag Incision used in a Minimal Incision Arm-Lift"?
I'm checking my calendar, to see when I can book this surgery! I've had it with these arms....but in the mean-time I'll keep researching and posting all of my findings! I'm hoping that my research can help other ladies out there decide if this surgery is right for them.

Replies (3)

June 24, 2015

The zig zag incision is called a Z Plasty and it helps the skin heal faster without much tension and there's less scarring.

June 25, 2015

Yes...correct Miss Artemisheaven! Dr.Shapiro explained that the surgery would take about 3/4 of a hour for each arm...he cuts a crescent shape in the armpit so the incision looks like a V (V end pointed towards elbow). I find his procedures very expensive...almost $8,000 for this procedure but his work & experience seems impeccable. 10 months ago, I just finished having a BLA & TT (mommy makeover). The results were outstanding...the BLA turned out amazing, however I feel I'd like my tummy a little tighter and so my PS is doing a revision on my TT this August 18th. The cost of those procedures were $19,000. After my Minimal Incision Arm Lift my total of surgical spending will be $26,000...I'll be finished with surgery for a while...maybe some face fat grafting with Dr.Shapiro...next year!

August 9, 2015

I had arm lift surgery 2 years ago and been in constant pain since. Horrible swelling.. Miserable!!

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