Arm Lifts (Brachioplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

I have lost 174 pounds. I have loose skin all over my body, can anyone reconstruct my body. I work out at Bally Total Fitness and I have muscle tone but you cannot see it because of the skin. Can you help me?

Answer:

Dear Virginia, Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep up the good work. Visit with a plastic surgeon for your options in removing the excess skin. There are a number of procedures such as lower body lift, abdominoplasty, brachioplasty (arm lift) that can help. I have worked with a number of former sumatori (sumo wrestlers) who retired and lost many hundreds of pounds. The contour can be greatly improved with the only drawback being a number of long scars at various placed on your body.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Is surgery safe to reduce fat in my upper arms? If so, how much could that cost?

Answer:

Dear Jenn, Upper arm liposuction, especially using ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is a wonderful procedure as long as your skin is in good condition to allow for a smooth and even contraction over the area after the fat is partially removed. If the skin is in large excess, a brachioplasty is a better procedure to undergo. This difference between the two is immense though in terms of recovery, risk and scarring. I would suggest that you visit with a plastic/cosmetic surgeon in your area to determine which procedure is best for you.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

My arms are large for my size. I am 5'2" and around 115 lbs. Is there anything can be done. I am 52 yrs. old.

Answer:

Liposuction may be of some help. You need to have a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon to determine if your skin will shrink sufficiently after the liposuction to make it worthwhile. An alternative procedure would be a brachioplasty (direct excision of the excess skin and fat), but it will leave a scar on the inner-back-side of the upper arm from the armpit to the elbow.

Next Step

• Learn about Arm Lifts (Brachioplasty) in the Articles Section
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