If you’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym and have been making a point of eating clean but are still unsatisfied with the appearance of your arms, you may be wondering what to do next.
When people usually think about liposuction, they tend to link it to areas such as the thighs and stomach but it is actually possible to have liposuction on your arms too. This is what you need to know.
Arm Liposuction Basics
According to Academy Face and Body, arm liposuction is a surgical procedure that targets excess fat on the lower or upper arms. These areas of the arms are very difficult to target with diet and exercise alone, which is why arm liposuction has increased in popularity.
Arm liposuction is not the same as an arm lift. Liposuction is designed to target excess fat alone. If you are also struggling with excess skin as a result of ageing or weight loss, you will need an arm lift instead.
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Ideal Candidates for Arm Liposuction
If you are unhappy with the physical appearance of your arms because excess pockets of fat are present, you may be a suitable candidate for arm liposuction.
You may have already taken a non-surgical approach such as trying to lose weight with a new diet or exercise regime but if you still aren’t seeing results, it might be time to consider arm liposuction. Patients need to be at least 18 years old to qualify for this procedure and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved.
Prior to your procedure, you will need to set up a personalized consultation with a qualified surgeon who will be able to assess your arms and determine whether arm liposuction or an arm lift is a better option for you. In some cases, you may require both. This is mainly the case when you have poor skin elasticity because it means you will be left with loose skin after liposuction.
What to Expect During an Arm Liposuction Procedure
Arm liposuction is usually performed under local anesthetic, which means you will be awake during the procedure but won’t be in any pain. Some patients prefer not to be awake during the procedure, so it is possible to request a general anesthetic.
To complete the procedure, small incisions are made near the elbow or the armpit, ensuring that any scarring is minimal and discreet. Your surgeon will insert a small, thin cannula into the incisions and use a back and forth motion to break up and remove the excess fat. All of the blood vessels, nerves and skin will not be damaged during the procedure.
Once the fat has been removed, the incisions will be closed using sutures and a compression garment may be applied to reduce swelling and speed up recovery.
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Arm Liposuction Recovery – What to Expect
Patients can expect to feel some slight pain and discomfort following their procedure; there will also be swelling. Your surgeon will prescribe some pain medication that you can use after your procedure to make your recovery more comfortable.
You will also need to wear a compression garment over your arm for as long as your surgeon specifies. This ensures that there is minimal fluid build-up and swelling. Most patients will need to wear the compression garment for about two weeks but this differs for everyone.
It will also be important to avoid any strenuous physical activity for at least two weeks, particularly anything that requires you to use your arms. You will probably also need to take a few days off work to recover.
