When researching arm contouring, it is common for patients to come across two common procedures: arm liposuction and arm lifts.

While both arm liposuction and arm lifts improve the definition and contours of the arms, these procedures have different goals and serve different purposes. Arm liposuction is a surgical body-contouring procedure that uses a thin cannula to remove fat from the arms. On the other hand, arm lifts surgically excise loose or hanging skin from the upper arms to improve both appearance and comfort. This blog aims to serve as a guide to break down the key differences between the two procedures, allowing you to make more well-informed and confident decisions about your appearance and well-being.

Denver Liposuction Specialty Clinic is one of Denver’s most coveted liposuction centers. Our team of surgeons offers countless years of experience and is dedicated to providing the highest-quality care and natural-looking results.

To learn more about how our team can help you, please submit our online contact form. Alternatively, our office may be directly reached at (720) 372-2155.

About Arm Liposuction vs. Arm Lifts

Arm liposuction and arm lift procedures are often considered by patients when they are looking for the most appropriate solution to address their arm concerns. The upper arm area can be difficult to sculpt through exercise and dieting alone, and both of these procedures offer results that can completely transform your arms. At Denver Liposuction Specialty Clinic, we offer arm liposuction to help individuals remove excess arm fat, but we can also help you determine whether arm liposuction or an arm lift is more effective for your concerns.

About Arm Liposuction

Arm liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that is designed to eliminate stubborn deposits of fat from around the arms. Liposuction is known for its high safety and efficacy profile, and it has been the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the country from 2020 to 2024. (1, 2) Our surgical team specifically performs VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) liposuction. This technology emits ultrasonic waves into the tissue to emulsify accumulated fat before suctioning it from the body.

About Arm Lifts

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical body-contouring procedure that excises hanging or sagging skin from around the upper arms. This procedure is often performed to remove inelastic skin after significant weight loss. (3) Arm lifts require a long, linear incision on the underside of the arm that can be seen when the patient lifts their arms.

Candidates

You may be a more appropriate candidate for arm liposuction if you are experiencing stubborn deposits of fat around your arms that will not respond to regular exercise or dieting. It is also important that you have good skin elasticity, as this is what will allow your skin to retract after your procedure. We offer a skin-tightening treatment after the procedure, but this will be most effective for patients with only mild to moderate skin laxity.

If a patient has a lot of excess, hanging arm skin, we may refer them elsewhere for surgical skin removal via an arm lift.

Anyone interested in receiving an arm liposuction procedure should be in good overall health. Patients should be at a maintainable and stable weight for at least 6-12 months before their procedure. (4) It is also important that patients are nonsmokers and hold realistic expectations regarding their results. Our patient coordinators will determine each individual’s candidacy during their personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for an arm liposuction or arm lift procedure is by attending a personal consultation. During this consultation, one of our patient coordinators will meet with you to learn more about your goals and motivations. They will ask you several questions about your medical history, concerns, and desired outcomes. They will also evaluate the condition and quality of your skin, as well as the overall appearance of your arms.

This information will be used to determine your candidacy and create your treatment plan. The patient coordinator will recommend the most effective techniques to address your concerns, and they may even recommend additional procedures that can enhance your results. They will also take the time to answer any questions you may have, as we want you to leave this meeting feeling well-informed and empowered.

Because our practice specializes in liposuction, we will refer you to a trusted surgeon if it is determined that an arm lift is better suited to your concerns.

To schedule this consultation, please contact us online or call our Englewood office directly at (720) 372-2155.

Preparation

Both arm liposuction and arm lifts involve preparation, or taking steps that are essential for facilitating a safe and successful procedure. The guidelines for each procedure might differ slightly; you will receive tailored, detailed instructions from your surgeon before your procedure.

Typical guidelines include:

  • Discontinue taking blood-thinning medications and supplements under medical guidance.
  • Alcohol and nicotine use should be ceased in the weeks leading up to your procedure date.
  • Transportation home will need to be pre-arranged, as well as time away from work and other commitments.

Procedure

Arm Liposuction Procedure

Arm liposuction procedures begin with the administration of local anesthesia and a mild sedative before the surgeon makes small, discreet incisions near areas of the arm that have excess fat. The surgeon will inject the targeted areas with a tumescent solution composed of epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline, which will minimize bleeding, further numb the area, and swell the fat for easier removal. (4)

Next, your surgeon will insert the VASER liposuction cannula. This will emit ultrasound energy to emulsify the stubborn fat cells. The surgeon will use this cannula to suction out the targeted fat after emulsification. Your surgeon can provide a skin-tightening treatment to help the skin retract after fat removal. Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon will close your incisions.

Arm Lift Procedure

If you receive an arm lift procedure elsewhere, it will likely begin with the administration of general anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience. The surgeon can include liposuction in this procedure if you would like to address stubborn fat, but this is not always necessary or required. They will make a long, linear incision, typically on the underside of the arms. Through this incision, they will remove excess skin, creating a more defined and slim appearance before closing the incisions. (3)

Recovery

Generally, arm liposuction requires a shorter recovery time compared to arm lifts, as it is considered a less invasive procedure. Your surgeon will provide you with a set of detailed instructions after your procedure to help you care for yourself as you heal.

Results

With arm liposuction, you will be able to experience more defined and slender arms. Your figure may appear more balanced and proportionate, and shorter-sleeved tops may look more flattering. Each of these improvements can also positively impact your well-being, leading to a greater sense of confidence. The results of your arm liposuction can last for several years, but they will need to be paired with healthy lifestyle habits, as fluctuations in weight can affect the long-term effects of your procedure.

The results of an arm lift are designed to be long-lasting and effectively address loose skin; however, the long scar left behind by this procedure is often harder to conceal.

Cost of Arm Liposuction in Denver

The cost of your arm liposuction will vary depending on the size of the treatment area, the amount of fat being removed, whether any additional procedures are performed, as well as several other factors. One of our patient coordinators will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate once your treatment plan is finalized.

To learn more about the cost of your arm liposuction, please schedule a consultation or call (720) 372-2155.

FAQ

What is the difference between an arm lift and arm liposuction?

An arm lift is primarily focused on addressing excess skin, while arm liposuction is concerned with removing stubborn fat. Arm liposuction offers small, discreet incisions and a shorter recovery time, while an arm lift requires a long, linear incision and more downtime.

Is there scarring involved in arm liposuction or arm lifts?

Both procedures involve some degree of scarring. The scarring left by arm liposuction is small and easily concealable; however, the scarring left by an arm lift is more significant and may be more visible, especially when lifting the arms or wearing sleeveless tops or swimwear.

Will my sag after liposuction?

Patients with good skin elasticity typically experience minimal sagging after their procedure. We also offer skin tightening after our liposuction procedures to improve results. If you have significant excess skin, however, you may be referred to a skin removal specialist.

How long will the results of my arm liposuction last?

When paired with healthy lifestyle habits, the results of your arm liposuction procedure can be essentially permanent. The removed fat cells cannot technically regenerate, but the surrounding fat can swell and affect the area.

References

  1. ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
  2. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. Nalin Nagrath, Winters R. Brachioplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585115/#article-145189.s4
  4. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. Nih.gov. Published February 14, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/#article-112503.s4
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