Arm Lift Procedure... Which Categories Require This Surgery?

Arm Lift Procedure... Which Categories Require This Surgery?

The arm lift procedure has become popular among many individuals seeking to eliminate excess skin around their arms, especially after significant weight loss or undergoing obesity surgeries. It is also performed to remove excess fat in obese patients.

Which categories require an arm lift procedure?

Individuals experiencing severe skin sagging, particularly after significant weight loss, whether through surgery or following a specific diet.

Individuals with excess fat around the arms due to weight gain.

How is the appropriate procedure determined for an arm lift?

The suitable procedure for an arm lift varies depending on the specific case. In cases where there is excess fat around the arms, the appropriate procedure involves removing the excess fat through liposuction and tightening the skin using devices that utilize heat, in a cosmetic manner to avoid skin sagging after fat removal.

In cases where there is sagging and excess skin around the arms, especially after weight loss, the appropriate procedure involves surgically cutting and tightening the excess skin.

In cases where excess skin is cut, the patient will have a scar as a surgical mark, typically located on the inner part of the arm. However, some individuals are not satisfied with visible scarring, so the doctor discusses the possibility of hiding the scar under the armpit. In this case, the skin tightening is less effective than when the scar is present on the inner part of the arm. Ultimately, the patient has the final decision.

How is the arm lift procedure performed?

Before starting the arm lift procedure, the nature of the case and the appropriate procedure are determined.

Excess sagging skin tightening in the arms:

If there is excessive sagging in the arms, there are two options for arm lift procedures. One option is to tighten the skin along the length of the arm, which is suitable when the skin sagging is severe. The drawback is that the scar will be noticeable along the length of the arm. However, this is still preferable to having loose skin. Some individuals, though, are not accepting of visible scarring, so an alternative solution is sought, which is to place the scar under the armpit. The advantage of this approach is the ability to conceal the scar, but the drawback is that the amount of tightened skin is less than when the scar is present along the length of the arm. Ultimately, it is up to the patient to decide

• How is arm tightening performed?

Before starting the arm tightening procedure, the nature of the case and the appropriate procedure are identified.

Tightening excess arm sagging:

If there is excessive sagging in the arms, there are two options for arm tightening. The first option is to tighten the skin along the length of the arm. This is done when the skin has severe sagging. The disadvantage is that the scar will be along the length of the arm, which can be bothersome. However, it is still better than having loose skin. Some individuals, however, do not accept a visible scar. In such cases, an alternative solution is sought, which is to place the scar under the armpit. The advantage of this approach is that it hides the scar, but the downside is that the amount of tightened skin is less.

• Can the scar from an arm tightening procedure be completely hidden?

The scar from an arm tightening procedure cannot be completely hidden. There is no living organism that, when injured, does not develop a scar, except for a fetus. However, the scar can be minimized using laser treatment, plasma injections, or Botox. Additionally, efforts are made to make the scar as thin as possible and to match the color of the scar with the surrounding skin, which can make it less noticeable. However, the problem is that the arm area is highly mobile, and the skin is thin, which can cause the scar to stretch.

Liposuction of excess fat from the arms:

In this case, the patient undergoes several steps, including:

Local anesthesia to avoid any pain during the surgery.

The maximum amount of excess fat in the arm is suctioned while taking extreme care to avoid skin sagging. This is done by injecting fluids into the desired area to enable proper heat distribution. This gentle approach helps dissolve the fat tissue without being aggressive, allowing for pure fat suction without blood and reducing the risk of swelling or bruising.

After fat suction from the arms, suitable devices are used to tighten and contract the skin, resulting in a firm and smooth appearance.

In most cases, a device that utilizes helium gas is used in this surgery. Its heat is strong enough for fat suction but not strong enough to burn the skin.

• Does exercising replace the need for an arm tightening procedure?

Exercising alone does not replace the need for arm tightening procedures. The effect of exercise is limited to the muscles and does not tighten the skin. To achieve that, an individual needs to increase muscle size to compensate for the lost fat. This method may work for men, but it is usually not suitable for women.

However, if a small amount of fat is suctioned and the muscles are appropriately developed, it may be beneficial. Nevertheless, there is no fixed rule for this.

On the other hand, exercise is beneficial for overall body health. Healthy skin has the ability to stretch and be flexible. The healthier and more flexible the skin is, the better it responds to firmness. Exercise increases blood flow to the skin, enhancing its ability to heal and contract.

• How can arm tightening be done without surgical intervention?

In cases where exercise leads to losing more than 20 kilograms, the skin may become loose. Sometimes the skin's sagging exceeds its natural ability to heal or tighten. In such cases, arm tightening is performed using devices that work with heat to tighten the skin.

With the advancements in the field of cosmetic procedures, these devices now have the ability to control the amount of heat delivered to the skin, allowing for healthy contraction without wrinkling.

There are many devices that rely on delivering heat to the skin, but they must be handled with extreme precision. If the heat is too high, the skin can burn, so it is crucial to use them at specific temperatures to ensure the appropriate procedure is completed.