Arm Lift vs. Liposuction: Which is Right for You?
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For some people, there's almost nothing more embarrassing than the thought of wearing tight or sleeveless shirts due to the appearance of their upper arms. Often referred to as "bat wings" because of the tendency to flap or sway with movements like waving, excess skin on the upper arms can develop as a result of significant weight fluctuation or even aging. Some men and women also deal with stubborn pockets of upper arm fat that don't respond to diet and exercise, further exacerbating the problem.
If you're one of the many people who want to finally tighten flabby arms but aren't sure whether skin removal or liposuction is right for you, our knowledgeable team at Ben Schultz, M.D. — led by Lutherville, MD board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin D. Schultz — is here to help. Generally speaking, liposuction is ideal for patients with good skin elasticity and isolated pockets of stubborn fat, while arm lift surgery is typically reserved for those with stretched, hanging skin on the upper arm. Still, each case is unique – with some patients actually able to benefit from a combination of lipo plus arm lift — so schedule a consultation and evaluation to learn which procedure is suitable for you. In the meantime, take a closer look here at when arm lift vs. lipo may be recommended.
Can you get rid of bat wings with exercise?
When upper arm skin becomes profoundly loose or stretched out, which is often associated with major weight loss, it can be impossible for it to "snap back" to a slimmer contour. This is particularly true in patients who are middle-aged or older and/or have lost a great deal of their natural skin elasticity. Even patients who are unhappy with their arm shape due to pockets of fat may find that their problem areas don't respond to exercise in the expected way. Whether you have hanging arm skin, resistant fat in your arms — or both —body contouring surgeries like arm lift skin removal and/or liposuction can be the most effective option for achieving a significant and long-lasting transformation.
Do I need an arm lift or lipo for flabby arms?
To determine whether arm lift surgery or liposuction arm fat removal is the appropriate option for addressing your unique concerns, Dr. Schultz will first conduct a thorough evaluation and consultation. During this visit, Dr. Schultz will assess your skin laxity, determine whether your arm concerns are caused by loose skin, stubborn fat, or both, and review your medical and health history in detail.
Based on the findings of his assessment, Dr. Schultz will formulate a customized arm contouring procedure for you. If you have an appropriate amount of fat in your upper arms but have loose, hanging skin, an arm lift may be recommended. For patients with good remaining skin elasticity but excess fat in the upper arms, liposuction may be more appropriate. In cases where a person is struggling with both loose skin and stubborn fat, a combination procedure can be a fitting option.
Can you combine arm lift with other procedures?
Oftentimes, especially for patients who have lost a large amount of weight, concerns like loose skin and stubborn fat aren't contained to the arms alone. In many cases, patients may be eligible to have multiple areas treated during a single surgical setting for a more complete and well-rounded outcome. Some of the procedures commonly combined with an arm lift can include:
If you have questions about combining arm lift with other procedures to enhance your results, don't hesitate to ask about a customized body contouring plan that can help you look and feel your best from every angle.
Say bye-bye to bat wings with arm contouring in Lutherville, MD
Don't let sagging arm skin or bulging fat keep you hiding beneath long sleeves any longer. If you're ready to show off slimmer arms, contact us at Ben Schultz, M.D. to schedule your Lutherville, MD arm lift consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring specialist Dr. Benjamin D. Schultz.