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Can Liposuction Get Rid Of Flabby Arms?

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Guide:

What Is Arm Liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of body contouring surgery that has become increasingly popular as it has become safer and more advanced. It allows plastic surgeons to precisely remove pockets of fat from specific areas of patients’ bodies, which is convenient for people who try every type of exercise and diet under the sun and still cannot get rid of stubborn areas of fat.

So, what is liposuction of the arms? Arm lipo is a less invasive alternative to an arm lift (Brachioplasty) to slim the contour of the arms. Unlike an arm lift, which removes loose, sagging skin, arm liposuction involves the removal of unwanted “flabby” fat in your arms and around your shoulders. Most people seek liposuction on their arms to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat that form on the underside of the upper arm due to aging or weight fluctuations. 

Does Arm Liposuction Really Work?

If your primary concern is with stubborn pockets of fat in your arms, arm liposuction is an excellent option to reshape and contour your arms. Arm lipo safely and effectively targets and removes stubborn pockets of fat in the arms to create a slimmer, sculpted, more proportionate appearance.

You should have realistic expectations going into arm sculpting surgery, however, with an understanding that liposuction targets fat, not excess skin. 

Arm liposuction involves using a thin, hollow tube called a cannula to create tiny incisions and suction fat cells from the arms. Once inserted under the skin, these thin cannulas are gently moved back and forth through the fat to break up and remove stubborn arm fat.

As the cannula incisions are so small, there are typically no noticeable scars from liposuction.

In cases where more substantial fat removal is needed, excess skin can worsen as the volume that once supported the skin is gone. Before surgery, we often can predict when this will happen, and we may recommend combining your arm lipo with an arm lift, as it is a skin reduction procedure.

Arm fat that doesn’t seem to change despite hard work in the gym and diet changes in the kitchen is difficult to remove. Liposuction is the gold standard for dealing with stubborn fat pockets on the arms and many other body areas. Many patients love arm sculpting surgery for helping them achieve a slimmer look while maintaining balance with their natural body proportions.

Benefits of lipo to the arms include:

  • Increases confidence
  • Results are permanent
  • Minimal scarring
  • Removes stubborn fat and gets rid of saggy arms
  • Opens new doors for clothing options
  • Creates an overall simmer appearance

Are you considering slimming down your arms with lipo? Request a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Liland in Dallas to determine if this procedure will benefit you.

Am I A Candidate For Arm Liposuction?

The ideal candidate for lipo of the arms has stubborn areas of excess, localized fat in the upper arm area that do not respond to diet or exercise. The best candidates are in good overall physical, mental, and emotional health, so they can safely undergo the procedure and the recovery period.

As with any liposuction procedure, liposuction of the arms is most effective on patients with good skin elasticity, as it allows the skin to bounce back to the new contours of the arms following the fat removal. We may recommend an arm lift combined with liposuction for a complete body contouring procedure and the best results if you have excess arm skin or weaker skin that may cause sagging after the volume of your arm fat removal.

Being at a stable weight is essential for liposuction patients. At the time of your arm sculpting procedure, patients should be no more than 10 to 15 pounds over their ideal weight.

How Much Fat Can You Remove With Liposuction On Your Arms?

The amount of fat removed during liposuction varies depending on the treatment area. For example, if you’re only concerned with excess arm fat and get liposuction of the arms alone, the amount of fat removed would likely be much lower than it would be for someone having stomach liposuction and much higher than for someone having chin liposuction or neck liposuction. According to doctors on RealSelf, anywhere from 100cc to 1000cc can be removed from the arms during liposuction depending on skin pinch thickness and other factors.

If you’re wondering how much weight you can lose with liposuction,  it’s important to understand that liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss solution.

How Long Does It Take For Arm Liposuction to Heal?

The arms are visibly slimmer immediately after arm liposuction, and these results continue to improve as swelling goes down and the arms heal. Once you’ve fully healed and all swelling has diminished, you should be able to see your newly defined arm contour very clearly. 

It’s normal to experience some soreness and bruising after liposuction. Dr. Liland typically recommends patients use a compression sleeve around the arm for about 4 weeks after surgery. After the 4-week mark, most patients have fully recovered from liposuction of the arms.

We highly recommend resting the arms and minimizing excessive use for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery.

As with any cosmetic procedure, some potential complications can occur with lipo on the arms. Though it’s a straightforward procedure with little chance of complications, possible risks to be aware of include:

  • Bumps, indentations, or asymmetries
  • Pigmentation issues
  • Scarring
  • Contour irregularities
  • Nerve and skin damage

As with all surgery, rest and sleep are crucial to recovery after arm contouring surgery to ensure you heal correctly and achieve the best results. You may be concerned about when you can sleep on your arms after liposuction. You should check with your surgeon first and listen to your body. Most patients feel comfortable sleeping on their arms again between one and two weeks after arm liposuction.

Arm Liposuction vs. Brachioplasty: Which Is Right For Me?

While both arm liposuction and Brachioplasty aim to improve the “flabby” appearance of the upper arms, they target different concerns that can cause this appearance. A Brachioplasty, or arm lift, targets loose, saggy, lax skin, while arm lipo targets unwanted fat deposits to tone up the arms.

If your arms appear flabby or bulky because of excess fat, liposuction of the arm area is likely your answer for achieving a leaner arm contour. 

As mentioned above, if you have saggy skin and pockets of excess fat in your arms, Dr. Liland may recommend combining your arm fat removal with an arm lift for the best results. Mayo Clinic says lipo of the arms is a common component of Brachioplasty.