You can strengthen and tone your arms through exercise, but sometimes your upper arms still don’t look the way you want them to. Stubborn fat deposits, loose skin, changes in skin elasticity, genetics, aging, and significant weight loss can all affect the contour of the upper arms.
When diet and exercise aren’t enough to address these concerns, plastic surgery may be an option. Two procedures commonly considered for the upper arms are liposuction and an arm lift, also known as brachioplasty.
While both can create a more refined upper-arm contour, they address different concerns. The right procedure depends largely on whether excess fat, loose skin, or a combination of both is contributing to the appearance of your arms.
What Does Liposuction Do for the Upper Arms?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts with exercise and eating right, localized fat deposits remain resistant to change. Liposuction is designed to remove these stubborn areas of subcutaneous fat and create a more refined and proportional contour.
Although liposuction can be performed on many areas of the body, including the abdomen, waist, thighs, hips, back, neck, and knees, the upper arms are also a common treatment area.
During liposuction, a small hollow instrument is inserted beneath the skin to break up and remove excess fatty tissue. Because the procedure permanently removes targeted fat cells, it can help reshape areas that have not responded the way you would like to diet and exercise.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or cellulite. Instead, it is a body-contouring procedure intended for localized areas of unwanted fat.
For the upper arms specifically, liposuction may be appropriate when excess fat is the primary concern and the skin has enough elasticity to conform to the new contour.
When Is an Arm Lift a Better Option?
The shape of the upper arms can change over time due to aging, weight fluctuations, and changes in skin elasticity. This can leave behind sagging or drooping skin, localized pockets of fat, or a combination of both.
For some patients, these changes are primarily an aesthetic concern. For others, excess skin can also interfere with movement or cause uncomfortable chafing against certain types of clothing.
An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is designed to address these concerns by removing excess skin and localized pockets of fat while tightening the underlying supportive tissue. The result is a smoother, more refined upper-arm contour.
Unlike liposuction, which primarily targets stubborn fat, an arm lift can address loose skin that will not improve through diet, exercise, or fat removal alone. This makes it particularly beneficial for patients who have experienced significant weight changes or a loss of skin elasticity over time.
Arm Lift vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
Although both procedures can improve the appearance of the upper arms, they accomplish that goal differently.
Liposuction primarily addresses excess fat. If you have localized fatty deposits in the upper arms but relatively good skin elasticity, removing that fat may be enough to create the contour you’re looking for.
An arm lift primarily addresses excess skin. If loose or hanging skin is the main concern, particularly following significant weight loss, removing skin may be necessary to achieve a meaningful change.
Some patients have both concerns. In those cases, liposuction may be combined with an arm lift to remove localized fat while also addressing excess skin.
Dr. Robbins performs liposuction both as a stand-alone procedure and in combination with other body-contouring procedures when doing so can create an enhanced outcome.
Am I a Candidate for Arm Liposuction or an Arm Lift?
Determining which procedure is appropriate begins with understanding what is actually contributing to the appearance of your arms.
You may be a candidate for upper-arm liposuction if you have localized fat deposits that haven’t responded to diet and exercise and want to create a more refined contour.
If excess or sagging skin is the primary concern, an arm lift may be the more appropriate procedure. Patients experiencing both excess skin and localized fat may benefit from a combination of the two.
There is no single procedure that’s right for every patient. During your initial consultation, Dr. Robbins will discuss your concerns, evaluate your anatomy, and explain the surgical options that may help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Have You Been Thinking About Plastic Surgery?
If an arm lift, liposuction, or another plastic surgery procedure has been on your mind, fall and winter can be an ideal time to begin planning.
Plastic surgery results take time to develop. Swelling and other changes associated with recovery don’t disappear overnight, and your body needs time to heal before you see your final result.
Scheduling a procedure during the cooler months can give you time to recover before spring and summer activities begin. Cooler-weather clothing may also make it easier to comfortably cover the treatment area during the initial stages of recovery.
For patients considering an arm procedure specifically, planning ahead can be especially helpful if the goal is to feel more confident wearing sleeveless tops, dresses, or swimwear once warmer weather returns.
You also don’t have to wait until you’ve decided exactly which procedure you want. Starting with a consultation gives you the opportunity to learn what may be appropriate for your body and how much recovery time you should plan for based on your personalized surgical plan.
Why Choose Dr. Chad Robbins?
Dr. Chad Robbins is a Mayo Clinic-trained plastic surgeon certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. With extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, he is committed to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals through personalized care and a high-quality patient experience.
Dr. Robbins is an active member of the Nashville medical community and holds hospital privileges at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Centennial Medical Center.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you’ve been working toward more defined arms but stubborn fat or loose skin continues to affect their appearance, you don’t have to determine the solution on your own.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chad Robbins to learn whether upper-arm liposuction, an arm lift, or a combination of procedures may be right for you.
With fall and winter approaching, now is a great time to start the conversation, explore your options, and create a surgical and recovery timeline based on your goals.
Here are some tips to have your best-looking skin yet this summer.
