Introduction: Liposuction of The Arms
Liposuction of the arms can be performed to achieve a single goal of removing unattractive arm fullness along the underarm that has been coined the grandma wings. This is the fullness that grandchildren like to grasp.
Eliminating the grandma wings Liposuction of the grandma wings requires both the removal of fat as well as the elimination of skin redundancy. Achieving these goals requires both liposuction and elimination of skin redundancy. Liposuction of the arms requires the use of a tumescent solution that is injected first into the fatty layers. Then we use hollow bore cannulas connected to suction machines to remove the fat by traversing through the fatty layers.
There are several technical details that are used to ensure that the arm contour is optimized following liposuction. One of the secrets involves avoiding over-suctioning of the mid-arm which can result in a suboptimal contour characterized by the telephone handle deformity. Following the removal of the excess fat, any skin redundancy must be addressed. To optimally treat this redundancy, the redundancy must be gauged as minimal, moderate, or severe.
For patients with minimal to moderate skin redundancy, a novel combination of energies using helium plasma and radiofrequency, called Renuvion J plasma, may be utilized. The benefit of this energy is that it will avoid a surgical incision line. Renuvion J plasma allows excess skin to be eliminated by tightening loose skin. This arm liposuction surgery allows patients to avoid the traditional arm lift associated with the development of an underarm scar.
Moderate to severe skin redundancy requires surgical excision of the skin redundancy. This incision is placed along the lowest part of the upper arm and will extend across the area of redundancy. The length of the incision can be limited to near the armpit or extend down to the elbow as needed.
Liposuction of the Arms: Procedures, Benefits and What to Expect
Liposuction of the arms, also called underarm liposuction or arm contouring, is a procedure that can help remove stubborn fat deposits and enhance the definition of the upper arms. For both men and women struggling with flabby, heavy arms that diet and exercise alone cannot fix, arm lipo can provide a slimmer, more toned appearance.
Overview of Arm Liposuction
Is arm liposuction worth it? Arm liposuction is a body contouring procedure that targets fat located deep under the skin of the upper arms. Areas commonly treated include
- Loose upper arm skin – Skin that has lost elasticity due to aging or weight fluctuations can give the arms a sagging appearance. Liposuction removes the fat that is weighing this skin down.
- Axillary region – For some patients, liposuction near the armpit area is warranted to provide smooth definition and continuity of the upper arm contour.
Overall, properly performed arm liposuction slims and reshapes the arms by reducing deep fat to better reveal underlying muscle tone and definition.
Benefits of Undergoing Arm Liposuction
Compared to nonsurgical fat reduction alternatives, liposuction offers several advantages for slimming and contouring the arms, including:
Significant Fat Reduction
Arm liposuction effectively removes localized fat that is unresponsive to changes in diet, exercise or topical cream treatments. Patients typically lose 30-50% of fat volume from the upper arms after liposuction.
Noticeable Improvement in Skin Tone and Texture
Once the excess fat is removed, the skin of the upper arms becomes tighter and retracts closer to the body. This creates a smooth appearance and reduces sagging or flabby skin.
Permanent Fat Cell Removal
The fat cells removed via liposuction are permanently eliminated from the treatment areas. As long as the patient maintains their weight, the treated arms will not revert or regain fat deposits that were removed.
Less Complex Surgery Compared to Arms Lifts
For patients who need significant skin tightening in addition to fat removal, a more complex brachioplasty may be required. However, for most arm concerns, liposuction alone achieves good results with less surgical complexity.
What To Expect During Arm Liposuction Recovery
Arm liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Here’s what to expect during recovery:
- Small incisions just a few millimeters long are made near the armpit and possibly the inner elbow. These heal into minimal scars.
- Using a thin tube called a cannula attached to a suction device, the surgeon removes excess fat through the tiny incisions.
- The remaining upper arm skin is tightened through massage allowing it to retract into a more defined contour.
- Tiny stitches close the incision sites and compressive bandages minimize swelling.
- Moderate bruising and swelling are common for the first 1-2 weeks.
- Most patients require 1-2 weeks off from work and regular activities.
- By 2-6 weeks, swelling and bruising have subsided allowing results to become more visible.
- Optimal results take 2-3 months as skin fully tightens and retention continues to improve.
- With weight stability, results are permanent since the removed fat cells do not regrow.
- By 6 months patients can expect to see their final liposuction arms before and after results.
Good Candidates for Arm Liposuction
The ideal candidates for arm liposuction include:
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing
- Non-smokers with good skin elasticity
- Patients who are near their ideal body weight
- People struggling with localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise
- Those with reasonable expectations who understand lipo is not a weight loss solution
- Individuals bothered by embarrassing arm fat want a better definition
- Men and women who maintain healthy lifestyle habits before and after surgery
Conclusion: Liposuction of the arms
For upper arms resistant to diet, exercise, and topical treatments, liposuction can effectively slim, reshape, and enhance tone. Using small incisions, excess fat is permanently removed resulting in better arm contours with minimal scarring. In summary, liposuction of the arms is performed routinely and can achieve a reduction in underarm fullness. Underarm fullness can be eliminated using a combination of liposuction and skin reduction procedures using either Renuvion J plasma or excisional surgery when necessary. Best of all, with high definition arm contouring you can expect a moderately comfortable recovery, short-term wearing of compression garments, and return to normal activities and even strenuous activity within just a few weeks.
