Arm lift

Scar placement depends on the shape and size of your arms and in most cases, it is one of three types. If fat is your primary problem and you don’t have much loose skin, then you are likely a candidate for liposuction alone. The 2-3 very small scars (¼ inch) with this procedure will be placed in less visible areas and they are rarely visible long term after the surgery. For those you that have fat and loose skin only near your armpit, you are may be a candidate for a mini arm lift. The scar with this surgery is placed in or near the hair bearing area of your armpit. This scar is also much less visible due to its location. For those of you who have have visible loose skin along the full length of your upper arms, you are likely a candidate for a full arm lift surgery. This places a linear scar from your armpit to your elbow, following the axis of your arm. To better understand this placement, extend your arm at the shoulder and flex your elbow. If you also flex your biceps muscle and feel where the biceps muscle ends and the triceps muscle begins on the inside of your arm there is a groove. It is along this groove where the scar will be roughly located.

With weight gain, severe weight loss, and aging, the upper arms can become large, heavy and saggy. Fortunately, arm lift surgery can improve the appearance of your arms by making them smaller, less heavy and removing any sagginess. It is a win win.

You can expect this surgery to last a long time, especially if you maintain a healthy lifestyle and healthy weight after surgery. With that said, some sagginess can return over time, depending on how you age. Also, if a large amount of weight loss occurs after arm lift surgery, the appearance of the arms can change. Therefore, it is best to be at a manageable weight before considering this surgery.

For those of you who only have excess fat and little loose skin of the arm, the treatment will often be liposuction alone. In these cases, the scars will be extremely small, barely visible and hidden. For those of you with visible loose skin of the arm limited to the upper 3rd of the arm (near the armpit), you may be a candidate for a mini arm lift. This procedure places the scar near your hair bearing armpit, is usually 2 to 3 inches in length and is much less visible due to its location. A mini arm lift can also be combined with a liposuction procedure of the entire upper arm allowing for a more transformative result. 

Yes, arm lift surgery is possible even if you have had a previous surgery in the same area. The specifics of what you need will depend on your exam but it will most likely involve the removal of more loose skin, in combination with a liposuction procedure.

Arm lift surgery offers a powerful way to improve the appearance of your arms by permanently removing unwanted fat and loose skin. And the best part of this surgery is that the results are long lasting. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes a sensible diet and regular exercise, your results should last for decades. Also, avoiding sun exposure while your scar is healing is very important. Lastly, as activities like smoking can negatively affect the quality of your skin as you age, focusing on your health first after surgery will ensure that your results are permanent.