Why You May Need an Arm Lift, Not Exercise, to Give You Those Dream Arms

It’s no secret (nor is it new) that many people want a slender midsection and toned legs. But one area of the body that has been receiving increasing cosmetic attention is the arms. More and more people are self-conscious of the excess skin and fat on their upper arms, and dream of having slender, toned arms that can make them feel better about beating the Atlanta heat with sleeveless tops. Unfortunately, this area is notoriously difficult to improve, and for many people, years of arm-targeting exercises won’t give them the arms of their dreams.

Why You May Need an Arm Lift, Not Exercise, to Give You Those Dream ArmsWhy won’t exercise give me slender, firm arms?
When the underside of the upper arm has a sagging, loose appearance, this is often the result of either excess fat, sagging skin, or both. While fat in the upper arms can be difficult to lose, the more persistent issue is that of the skin. Through our body’s natural aging process, over time our skin loses elasticity (the ability to remain tight and firm). In the upper arm area, this natural loss of firmness is compounded by the effects of constant gravity and of weight fluctuations throughout life, so the skin has a strong tendency to sag as we age. Exercise can reduce fat and build muscle tone, but it cannot tighten skin or remove excess skin.

What can I do to give my arms a younger, contoured appearance?
An arm lift is a plastic surgery procedure that can repair the sagging, excess tissue that extends from the underside of the upper arm. As with many surgeries, the procedure varies depending on the patient’s needs and desired results. For some patients, a combination of liposuction to remove the unwanted fat and the removal of excess skin provides optimal results. For other patients who have minimal fat on the arms (often patients who have recently lost extreme amounts of weight), the procedure may focus solely on removing excess skin.

An arm lift procedure begins with an incision that varies in size and position depending on the amount and location of the tissue to be removed, as well as how much scarring the patient is comfortable with. The incision is often placed along the inside of the back of the arm, so that scarring is minimally visible from both the front and the back of the patient. For some patients who require less tissue to be removed, the incision can be made in the armpit to minimize visible scarring. The unnecessary fat and skin is removed, and the remaining skin is tightened to create a firm and toned shape.

While the upper arms are not always the most talked-about problem area, they can be a source of constant self-consciousness for many people. I have seen many patients become frustrated because their diet and exercise efforts have not produced results on their arms, but fortunately, there is another way. To learn whether liposuction, an arm lift, or a combination of both procedures can give you slimmer, more contoured arms, set up a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, and remember to join us on social media as well for health tips and updates on our procedures.