Am I a good candidate for liposuction of the arms?
I'm 38 and a mom of 3. I am 5'5" tall and have a consistent weight of 155 - 160. I’ve always had heavy arms and have to get larger sizes to fit my upper arms. I’d like arms more proportional to my body. I've had a consult with varying comments about how my arms would respond to lipo. One surgeon said I should be pretty satisfied and another said I should only consider an arm lift. I’m not an extreme weight loss patient. How exactly is skin elasticity determined and who do I believe?
Deciding between liposuction (reduction of fat alone) vs. liposuction with brachioplasty (arm lift) is a good question to bring up, as this dilemma is a common one that patients with fullness of the upper arms have to consider. The answer is: It All Depends On Your Skin.
If your skin has lost elasticity, due to age, smoking, environmental factors, or just your genetic tendency, then liposuction alone will probably leave you with some excess hanging skin you may find unpleasant. How much skin looseness you might develop is something that your experienced plastic surgeon can usually determine at the time of your consultation. And, yes, there can be differences of opinion, but the final answer may come down to your personal tolerance for any loose skin at all.
Some patients (especially younger) may start with liposuction, even if it leaves some looseness, then later consider adding a brachioplasty when they have aged further and the need becomes more obvious. At that point, they may be willing to trade off for a longer (but hidden) scar.
It will depend on the laxity on your skin, if you only have extra fat with well toned skin, liposuction will solve your problem. If the important laxity is not present, you will need an arm lift. Try to choose an ASAPS member Plastic Surgeon.