When it comes to altering the upper arms, the aging process (as well as weight fluctuations) can take a significant toll, resulting in cosmetic concerns like loose skin, “bat wings,” and excess fat. These changes can cause self-consciousness for patients, influencing them to avoid sleeveless clothing and hide their upper bodies in baggy garments.
While dieting and exercise may sculpt the body to a certain extent, these lifestyle factors are rarely able to produce the toned, streamlined upper arm appearance most patients desire. An arm lift is a surgical procedure to remove excess drooping skin and firm the underlying muscles, creating a more attractive and youthful-looking silhouette. It is commonly paired with liposuction, a fat-removal procedure, to maximize results.
In this blog, Dr. Paul Chasan, a 30-year veteran plastic surgeon in San Diego, CA, discusses the benefits of combining two game-changing aesthetic procedures – arm lift surgery and liposuction – and how it can take your body sculpting results to the next level.
Understanding the Arm Lift Procedure
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, is performed to combat loose, sagging skin that accumulates on the upper arms. Drooping skin may occur due to the loss of collagen and elastin that takes place during the aging process, combined with the effects of gravity.
Ongoing weight fluctuations or massive weight loss can also leave behind loose skin, negatively impacting the appearance of the upper arms. When sagging skin becomes extremely pronounced, the condition may be referred to as "bat wings," as it can mimic the anatomical appearance of the nocturnal flying mammals.
Many patients strive to correct their upper arm appearance through dieting and gym workouts, but this rarely works, as once the skin has stretched out, only a cosmetic procedure can restore its firmness.
How Does Liposuction Work?
In contrast to an arm lift, liposuction can be applied anywhere in the body or face where stubborn, excess fat is problematic. The procedure targets fat cells that are resistant to dieting and exercise, and that compromise a sculpted, slim physique.
During the procedure, a slender tube called a cannula is inserted through small incisions in the targeted area. Excess fat is then suctioned out to create more sculpted, youthful-looking contours. The fat can be discarded, or it can be preserved for a fat grafting procedure in the chest, buttocks, temples, lips, cheeks, or jawline.
While liposuction is a powerful contouring solution employed by surgeons all over the world, it is not considered a solution for losing weight. Patients pursuing liposuction need to be at a healthy, stable weight to qualify for surgery. Additionally, liposuction is not a viable solution for skin laxity in the arms or anywhere else. Undergoing a detailed consultation with your surgeon will allow you to form realistic expectations for what liposuction can and cannot accomplish.
Exploring the Benefits of Pairing Arm Lift Surgery With Liposuction
When you fuse the skin-tightening advantages of arm lift surgery with the fat removal benefits of liposuction, results can be transformative and impressive. This combination approach to sculpting the upper arms can restore the sleek, slim contours of youth, maximizing confidence and peace of mind.
The benefits of an arm lift with liposuction include:
- Combats changes in the body due to aging or weight loss
- Delivers lasting, dramatic improvements
- Comprehensively sculpts and reshapes the upper arms
- Increases muscle definition
- Simultaneously addresses lax skin and excess fat
- Provides relief from chafing and irritation due to redundant skin folds
- Increases self-confidence
- Expands wardrobe options
- Cost-effective
- Reduces overall recovery time
- Lowers overall surgical risks
Who Is a Candidate for a Combined Arm Lift and Liposuction Procedure?
When genetics, aging, or weight loss have negatively impacted the upper arms, causing drooping skin, fat buildup, and “bat wings,” an arm lift with liposuction provides an innovative solution tailored to your specific needs and goals. An arm lift with liposuction is recommended for those who have hit a wall when it comes to body sculpting via dieting and exercise. Patients may spend hours, weeks, and months at the gym but still not be able to attain their ideal upper arm appearance. In these cases, plastic surgery can offer the dramatic and lasting results desired. An arm lift with liposuction can bridge the gap between a healthy lifestyle and each patient’s unique vision for a youthful, shapely physique.
Ideal candidates for an arm lift with liposuction are healthy individuals who don’t smoke and who are at or close to their ideal weight. They should be able to maintain a stable weight before and after surgery, as weight fluctuations can significantly compromise cosmetic results.
Additionally, it is important that patients have realistic expectations and fully understand the risks, advantages, costs, recovery time, and potential results of their procedure. This is achieved by undergoing an in-depth consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon who prioritizes patient education and empowerment.
Recovery After an Arm Lift With Liposuction
Because two body sculpting procedures are being performed at the same time, recovery may take slightly longer than normal with a combined arm lift and liposuction procedure. Light activities can usually be resumed within 7-10 days, although swelling and bruising may take several weeks to resolve.
Wearing a compression garment after surgery is crucial to the healing process. It helps to minimize swelling, enhance circulation, and keep your newly sculpted contours in place as the body recovers. It can also assist in reducing discomfort after surgery and accelerate the skin-tightening benefits of your procedure. Compression garments should be worn for several weeks continuously.
Lastly, it is critical after your surgery that you protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You should also get plenty of rest, stay properly hydrated, and adhere to a nutritious diet to maintain a stable, healthy weight. Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions and attending all scheduled follow-up visits will ensure that you enjoy a more youthful, shapely upper arm appearance for years to come.
What Is the Takeaway?
When aging, genetics, or weight loss have compromised the appearance of the upper arms, many patients seek out surgical body sculpting procedures to complement their efforts at the gym and take their results to the next level.
By pairing traditional arm lift surgery with liposuction, your provider can ensure a more refined, personalized, and balanced outcome. Candidacy for a combination approach to arm rejuvenation may depend on the extent of skin laxity and the amount of fat present. However, most patients can expect to qualify, provided that they are healthy and have realistic expectations.
Want to Learn More About an Arm Lift With Liposuction in San Diego? Reach Out to Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery & Med Spa Today!
No one should have to tolerate an appearance they feel self-conscious about or wish to hide their body due to signs of aging. A combined arm lift and liposuction procedure can restore your figure, comfort, and confidence, optimizing overall quality of life.
Dr. Paul Chasan and his team of highly experienced cosmetic experts are excited to meet with you and discuss the possibilities for customized body contouring at our world-class practice in San Diego, CA. Call (858) 216-8884 to get started.
