Arms Liposuction

Some women who feel they have heaviness of the arm. Some women who feel their arms are out of proportion to the rest of the body, and some women who feel jackets or long-sleeved tops don’t seem to fit properly. Skin quality is variable amongst individuals and this needs to be assessed first to ascertain if suitable for the procedure. 

Liposculpture isn’t suitable for everyone. Only patients with a Body Mass Index of under 35 will be considered but only after they have been properly assessed during the consultation. Your BMI can be checked using the following online calculator: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bmi-calculator  

Smoking increases the level of carbon monoxide in the blood, which deprives tissues of oxygen. Blood supply is a major concern during any surgical procedure. Combining smoking and cosmetic surgery can categorically result in increased pain, loss of skin, infections, death of tissue or fat cells, delayed healing, thick scarring, permanent vessel damage, or blood clots. Smokers should cease smoking 6 weeks prior to the procedure or consider to not have the procedure at all.  

Patients with body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) are inappropriate for liposuction / liposculpture or any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness. People who have this illness constantly worry about the way they look. They may believe an inconspicuous or non-existent physical attribute is a serious defect. They respond to this by performing repetitive acts such as mirror checking or comparing their appearance with others. The severity of BDD varies. For example, some people know their feelings and / or perceptions aren’t rational or justified, while others are almost delusional in their conviction. BDD causes severe emotional distress. It is not just vanity and is not something a person can just ‘forget about’ or ‘get over’. The preoccupation of their appearances can be so extreme that the affected person has trouble functioning at work, school or in social situations. People who suffer from BDD can target any part of the body. They may seek out numerous cosmetic procedures to try to “fix” their perceived flaw. Afterward, they may feel temporary satisfaction or a reduction in their distress, but often the anxiety returns and the search for other flaws may resume, along with ways to “fix” them. Treatment of BDD may include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication after an assessment by a Psychologist. 

The fat cells are removed in a way to change the size and contours of the arm, and changes can be seen during the procedure and often on the day after the procedure (where the shape change may be seen early before maximal swelling occurs). With any liposculpture procedure, it can take months before final results are achieved and before normal sensation returns.  

These fat cells tend to not grow back. However, existing fat cells can get bigger so diet and exercise are important factors to sustain results. The ageing process continues too, which may contribute to further fat deposition. 

There are generally 3-4 single, small access points, 3-5mm in length, at the level of the elbow. There are usually a few more incisions under the armpit and one at the top of the arm where the arm meets the shoulder at the back. They usually heal to a fine skin-coloured line approximately 3-5mm in length within a few months of the procedure in most people. However, scars may develop over the incision sites (3-5mm) or become darker or lighter in colour or become enlarged but generally they tend to become less obvious with time. Sutures are not required for most incisions and the incision sites act as drainage points post operatively to allow the excess anaesthetic fluid to drain out.  

In some people however, or darker skinned people, the incision points may become darker (hyperpigmentation) or develop a raised edge (hypertrophic scars or keloid).  

Often the upper back area where the arm joins the shoulder and the armpit area may have liposculpture at the same time or the front area of the upper chest next to the arm crease (anterior axillary fat pad). This allows for blending areas with the adjacent areas of the body that did not have liposculpture.  

A special arm lycra garment is worn for 7 days, longer if you wish. This may be worn under a dark long sleeve shirt usually allowing an early return to work. 

Most arm and axilla reduction procedures will take approximately 4 hours.

In general, most patients can probably return to work 3-7 days after the procedure. It would be about 3 weeks before normal gym activities or jogging should be restarted.

Usually in the first 1-2 weeks post-operatively, washing hair (or lifting arms above the head) may be difficult because the arms may not be easily lifted above the shoulder.