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Arm Liposuction
 
This procedure may be done in conjunction with breast implants. Implants may also help lift the breast by increasing the volume of the contents of the breast.

For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
Arm Liposuction Photo Gallery
Arm Liposuction Video Gallery
 
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What are some of the most common benefits of this procedure?
Firm, trim arms create a more youthful look and can provide an incentive to exercise regularly to maintain fitness. After liposuction, patients who have been self-conscious about their heavy arms often feel more comfortable wearing a range of clothing styles, and they also find that clothes tend to fit them better.
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What will happen at the initial consultation?
During the consultation, you will be able to talk to your surgeon about the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, its risks and limitations, and the costs.

Your surgeon will begin with a physical examination to evaluate your overall weight, your skin and muscle tone, and the pattern of distribution of fat deposits. He/she will also record your medical history, including any medications that you are currently taking.

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about the procedure, and ask to see photos of the doctor’s recent patients, before and after treatment. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your doctor below.
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How is arm liposuction performed?
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin, typically near the elbow or in the armpit crease, and inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fat deposits and sculpt the area to the desired proportions. Unwanted fat is suctioned out with a high pressure vacuum, leaving the skin, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels intact.

In the super-wet technique, a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated, which makes the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

The tumescent technique, in which even larger amounts of liquid solution are injected, has similar benefits.

A relatively new method, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), uses sound waves to liquefy the fat after the injection of fluids. Like the super-wet and tumescent techniques, UAL minimizes trauma, bruising and blood loss. UAL is particularly useful on fibrous areas of the body.

An earlier method of liposuction, called dry liposuction because no liquefying agent was used, required general anesthesia. This technique is not in frequent use today.

The technique chosen for your operation will be determined by a combination of factors, including the precise area to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, your surgeon’s training and experience, and your preferences.
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How long does the procedure take?
Generally the procedure takes from one to two hours.
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Will I need to stay in a hospital?
If you have no medical problems, the procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, either in your doctor’s office or in an outpatient clinic. It may be performed under local anesthesia with light sedation, local anesthesia and deep sedation, or general anesthesia. The longer the procedure is expected to take, the more likely that general anesthesia will be recommended. You may be allowed to return home within a few hours of the surgery, and spend the night in the comfort of your own home. If you have other medical problems, concurrent procedures, or a lengthier procedure performed under general anesthesia, it may be necessary to spend the night in the hospital so your recovery process can be monitored by a medical staff.
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How much pain is there?
The procedure is most often done with a local anesthetic. In this case, the pain is minimal, although you may feel pressure, movement, or a vibrating sensation.
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What can I expect afterward?
Your arms may be stiff and store for a few days, feeling like you have over-exercised. You may experience some pain, burning, swelling, or temporary numbness. If necessary, your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve this initial discomfort.

Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection at the incision sites. Your stitches will be removed in a week to 10 days, unless they dissolve on their own.

You may be fitted with compression bands to wear on your arms to cut down on swelling and to hold your arms in their new shape until the tissues have adjusted. It is important that you follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions, including wearing these bands, for the best results.
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What is the recovery period like?
Most of the bruising and swelling should subside within three weeks. You should be able to return to work within a week, or within a few days if your work is fairly sedentary. Remember that you must wear the compression bands for several weeks after your surgery to ensure that your arms stay firmly shaped.
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What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
Most people are pleased with the new contour of their arms. They often report a boost in energy and self-confidence. Although liposuction cannot alter skin quality or muscle tone, and should not be a substitute for regular exercise and a balanced diet, your arms will always be slimmer than they would be if you hadn’t had this procedure.

Even though the arm size has been reduced, there may be extra skin once the fat has been removed. Although wearing the compression bands will help to firm the area, this extra skin may sag, especially if your skin was not particularly elastic to begin with. It may be necessary to perform an armlift to correct this problem.
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How long do the results last?
The fat cells are permanently removed by liposuction, so you will not regain weight in that area. It is important to note, however, that arm liposuction does not guarantee that you won’t gain weight or fat deposits in other areas of your body.
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Ideal candidate:
In general, the best candidates for arm liposuction:
  • Have specific fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise
  • Do not have frequent fluctuations in weight
  • Desire reshaping and not weight loss
  • Are psychologically stable
  • Do not smoke
  • Are well informed about the procedure
  • Are accepting of any limitations, as discussed with surgeon.
  • Have realistic expectations about the outcome
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you.
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Other important information:
Since the normal aging process affects the firmness and elasticity of the skin, older patients may not achieve quite the same results as younger patients.
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Risks and limitations:
Although liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedure in the United States, and the majority of these operations are successful, there are risks and limitations, as with any surgery.

After surgery, some patients experience dimpling, lumpiness, numbness, scarring, discoloration, or sagging skin in the treated area. Follow-up surgery may be needed to correct these problems.

UAL liposuction may cause friction burns to the skin or to the internal organs.

More serious complications include blood clots, infection, excessive fluid loss leading to shock, fluid build-up in the lungs, and drug overdose. A combination of the following factors is associated with an increased risk of serious complications:

  • The removal of large amounts of fat
  • More than one procedure being performed at the same time
  • The use of general anesthesia
In order to minimize these risks, it is important that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions, both before and after surgery.
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Costs:
The national average of 2007 cost of liposuction was $2,982 (Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Regional averages: New England states: $2,746 Middle Atlantic states: $2,289 North Central states: $2,277 South Central states: $2,246 and Mountain/Pacific states: $2,699. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay, and other related expenses.
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Choosing a doctor:
It is very important that you select a physician adequately trained and experienced in liposuction techniques. We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a surgeon who is board certified or board eligible, as determined by the American Board of Medical Specialties. See our Physician Locator feature to find a surgeon in your area, including detailed profile information on many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Plastic Surgeon for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right doctor.
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Questions to ask your doctor:
  1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
  2. Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
  3. How much does it cost?
  4. Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of arm liposuction?
  5. What kind of anesthesia is used?
  6. How will you manage fluid balance during the procedure?
  7. How will my recovery be monitored immediately after surgery?
  8. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
  9. What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
  10. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
  11. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
  12. May I have the names and contact information for several recent arm liposuction patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.)
  13. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
  14. What should I expect post-operatively in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
  15. Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the plastic surgeon perform the entire surgery?)
  16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
  17. Do you offer patient financing?
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Be sure to:
  • Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
  • Tell your doctor if you have any serious medical condition(s).
  • Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription), as well as any natural or herbal supplements such as Echinacea or St. John’s Wort.
  • Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
  • Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.
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How do I finance this procedure?
Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.
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Related Articles
Please review the following articles for more information on this procedure.
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At iEnhance, find information on top plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, tummy tuck, BOTOX ® Cosmetic, eyelid surgery, thermage, rhinoplasty; as well as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Locate a plastic surgeon, cosmetic surgeon, cosmetic dentist, or specialist today!
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Facts:

*Top 5 Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

1. Breast Augmentation: 356,000
2. Liposuction: 341,000
3. Blepharoplasty: 195,000
4. Rhinoplasty: 152,000
5. Abdominoplasty: 147,000

*Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

1. Botox: 2,464,000
2. Laser Hair Removal: 1,281,000
3. Juvederm/Restylane: 1,263,000
4. Chemical Peel: 592,000
5. Laser Skin Resurfacing: 571,000

* Data collected from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
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