Traditional vs Mini Arm Lift: Which is Right for You?

If you have worn sleeves even on the hottest days of our Texas summer due to flabby arms, you are likely a candidate for a brachioplasty. Sagging skin or excess fat on the upper arms is a common problem and one that is very difficult to solve without plastic surgery. Genetics, weight loss, aging, pregnancy, and other factors can contribute to hanging tissue from your arms, but an arm lift surgery can reshape and tighten this area. At ^, we offer a traditional and mini arm lift, but which is right for you?

Brachioplasty or arm lifts are used to remove extra fat and skin from the upper arms. The skin and tissue are reshaped and tightened to create slimmer, contoured arms that look youthful and more toned. If there are excessive amounts of fat, liposuction may be combined with the arm lift. Traditional arm lifts address the entire upper arm, while a mini brachioplasty focuses on the top of the arm, with a significant difference in the length of the incision needed.

Mini Arm Lift Candidates

If you have a slight sagging underneath your upper arms, you may be a candidate for a mini arm lift. This is usually due to skin laxity that occurs as you get older or from moderate weight loss. As you get older, your skin becomes thinner and less firm. As you lose fat or muscle from your arms, the skin may no longer retract to the smaller size, resulting in a small amount of skin sagging beneath.

A mini arm lift uses a small incision that is placed in the armpit to access the upper portion of the underarm area. Fat can be removed with liposuction if needed, and excess skin can be removed and tightened. For many people, this is a less invasive option than the traditional brachioplasty that can still create the desired upper arm appearance.

Traditional Brachioplasty Candidates

For those who have lost significant amounts of weight, like those who underwent bariatric surgery, the amount of sagging skin and tissue on the upper arms may be extensive. If you have “bat wings” extending from the top of the arm to the elbow, a longer incision may be needed to remove the skin and tissue. Traditional brachioplasty has an incision that runs along the underneath of the upper arm. The length depends on how much skin and fatty tissue must be removed.

Arm lift surgery can help give you firmer, slender arms that fit more comfortably in clothing and look more attractive when you wear sleeveless attire. If you are tired of hiding your flabby upper arms, brachioplasty, mini or traditional, could be the solution. To learn more about arm lift surgery, contact our team at ^. Call our office in Dallas, TX, to schedule a brachioplasty consultation with Dr. Azouz.