Do I Need Arm Lift or Lipo?

Are you bothered by flabby arms that look out of proportion with the rest of your body? Have you recently lost a lot of weight and feel self-conscious of the folds of loose skin?

Dr. Carlos Chacon, a plastic surgeon in San Diego, can help fix these problems at his cosmetic surgery practice. Body contouring procedures like arm lift (a.k.a., brachioplasty) and liposuction are designed to create more attractive arms. Read on as Dr. Chacon discusses these options in greater detail.

Is the Problem Skin or Fat?

Whether arm lift or liposuction is appropriate depends on if the problem is skin, fat or both.

A physical examination is required to assess the nature and extent of the problem. Dr. Chacon must examine the arms, noting the amount of excess fat and the quality of the skin.

Based on this and a discussion of the desired surgical outcomes, Dr. Chacon can recommend whether arm lift or liposuction is more likely to provide the desired results.

Scenario #1: The Problem Is Excess Fat Only

If you have bothersome pockets of excess fat on your upper arms, yet your arm skin is relatively firm and elastic, liposuction may be the better option for you. The key to a great result is skin that has good tone and can contract over the arms once the fat has been removed.

During liposuction, Dr. Chacon makes small incisions on the arms and inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula through the incisions. He moves the cannula back and forth through the fatty tissue to dislodge it. Then, he uses gentle suction to remove the unwanted fat from the arms. The result is a leaner and more elegant arm shape and contour.

Arm liposuction usually requires about a week of recovery downtime. It leaves virtually no noticeable scarring.

Scenario #2: The Problem Is Excess Fat and Loose Skin

If you have pockets of excess fat and loose, sagging arm skin, arm lift is likely more appropriate for your needs. During arm lift, Dr. Chacon creates an incision that extends from the armpit to the elbow in the natural creases of the skin. The length of the incision depends on the degree of correction needed. Through the incision, he trims excess arm skin and tightens the remaining skin. Dr. Chacon can also use liposuction techniques to remove unwanted fat. The result is slimmer, more sculpted-looking arms and firm skin.

Arm lift usually requires about two weeks of recovery downtime. Scarring along the incision line should fade considerably over time so it is barely noticeable.

Book a Consult with Dr. Chacon

If you are bothered by the shape and contours of your arms, Dr. Chacon encourages you to book an informational consultation at his practice to discuss your concerns. Call or email Divino Plastic Surgery today!