about the arms liposculpture procedure
Many women have excess fatty tissue on the arms and/or in the armpit area. This is often resistant to diet and exercise efforts.
Arm liposuction at Be Sculptured is performed by our tumescent liposculpture proceduralist Dr Meaghan Heckenberg. It is a procedure exclusively offered to women.
Some women find that, despite going to the gym and toning the muscles in their arms and shoulders, their arms just get bigger. This is because, while healthy muscle tissue is built (which is a good thing!) the overlying fat doesn’t spot-reduce or change.
By removing fat and recontouring the arms using tumescent liposculpture, the underlying musculature is revealed and a new shape and appearance may be achieved.
Arm liposculpture usually involves:
- The upper arm (shoulder to elbow)
- The axilla (the armpit area and the upper back area adjacent to the outer side of the vertical bra strap)
- The fat pad on top of the breast (anterior axillary fat pad, adjacent to the bra strap)
Using microcannulas and a few small incisions in the elbow area and the shoulder region, the liposculpture proceduralist can reduce fatty deposits in the arms while maintaining shape and function. Excessive skin looseness is usually not an issue and skin excision is rarely required.
Arms liposculpture is not suitable for everyone. Skin quality must be assessed at the initial consultation. Some patients may prefer to undergo brachioplasty (“arm lift”) surgery if they have excess or very loose skin, or they wish to reduce the size of their arms. For patients with lipoedema of the arms, only those with Stage 1 or Stage 2 are eligible for arm liposculpture at Be Sculptured.
Armpit Fat Removal
Liposculpture of the arms incorporates the armpit (axilla), which is a specific area of concern for many women. The armpits can also be treated on their own for women who experience excess fat in the Anterior and/or Posterior Axillary Fat Pads but not on the upper arm itself.
Armpit fat can be extremely stubborn to target through diet and exercise. Removal via tumescent liposculpture can be an effective method of changing a disproportionate amount of fat in the area, restoring comfort and balance to the body’s appearance, and making clothes fit more comfortably.
The armpit fat removal procedure includes treatment of the Anterior Axillary Fat Pads (which are located on the chest, just in front of the armpit and on top of breast tissue), the Axilla (armpit) itself, and the Posterior Axillary Fat Pads (which are situated on the outer side of where the vertical bra strap rests and next to the arm).
What to Expect During Arm Liposuction Recovery
Tumescent liposculpture is performed with a local anaesthetic to numb the tissues over the area of concern. This approach also helps to constrict the blood vessels in the treatment area, vastly reducing blood loss during the procedure and bruising thereafter. Recovery times and patient discomfort tend to be significantly improved with this technique.
Patients undergoing liposculpture at Be Sculptured require day-only hospital admission and no general anaesthesia is used. A GP referral is required for any liposuction procedure.
Following the arm/axilla liposuction procedure, the patient is required to wear a compression garment for at least a week, sometimes longer (this depends on individual patient recovery rate and personal preference). The ability to drive a motor vehicle and/or wash one’s hair may be compromised during the first few days of recovery. Pain and discomfort is variable amongst individuals and analgesia medication is prescribed.
After arm liposuction, drainage from the arms around the base of the elbows usually lasts a few days and absorbent pads are held in place with tubular elastic netting to manage this.
Associated Risks and Complications
The tumescent liposculpture technique Dr Heckenberg offers at Be Sculptured carries fewer risks than brachioplasty surgery, but patient selection is important. The risks of blood loss, bruising and infection are reduced, particularly using the tumescent local anaesthetic technique.
It is imperative that you closely follow your doctor’s postoperative care instructions and attend your follow-up appointments. This helps minimise the likelihood of complications after the procedure.
Arm Liposuction Cost
Please contact Be Sculptured directly to discuss the costs associated with arm liposuction at our clinic.
How to Prepare for Arm Liposuction
You will need a referral from your GP to have arm liposuction or any liposuction procedure at Be Sculptured.
When you attend your initial consultation with us, please let us know of your medical history and any chronic health conditions you may have. Please also bring a list of medications you currently use.
Maintain a healthy diet during the leadup to your procedure and closely follow all pre-procedure instructions given by us.
We will provide detailed information and instructions for you regarding time off work (if required), pain relief, compression garments, diet, and what to avoid pre- and post-procedure.
*NOTE: It’s important to understand that liposculpture isn’t suitable for everyone. Only patients with a Body Mass Index of under 35 will be considered – and only after they have been properly assessed during the consultation*
Please take note
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:
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 Psychiatrist.
Book a Consultation Today
Do You:
- Have heaviness of the arms and/or discomfort caused by excess armpit fat?
- Feel your arms are not in proportion with the rest of your body?
- Have trouble getting jackets or long-sleeved tops to fit properly?
If you feel that arm liposculpture and/or armpit fat removal might be right for you, please contact us to book a consultation at Be Sculptured today. We have two clinic locations, one in Bondi Junction, NSW, and another in Southport, QLD.
You may also call us during business hours at 0484 898 977 or email us at [email protected].
