Among the most successful cosmetic surgeries and garnering the most patient satisfaction is liposuction of the arms - more commonly referred to as an "arm lift". One reason is simply because this procedure allows a large volume of fat to be removed without any obvious signs of surgery.

Many women are extremely self-conscious about their arms and find it difficult to find dresses or summer blouses that make them feel attractive.

The arms are a key part of a woman's body as they can have either a very slimming effect or a rather bulky effect, depending on their shape and size.

A large percentage of women find that working out increases the bulkiness of their arms rather than giving them the slimming effect that they desire.

For these reasons, more and more women every year are taking the plunge into liposuction procedures.

Just like any surgery, liposuction of the arms should be extensively researched before deciding to go forward with the operation. Read more on arm liposuction cost.

While it should never be viewed as a substitution for diet and exercise, liposuction to remove arm fat is a viable option to help remove fat in those stubborn areas that even the most intense workout regimen can't seem to touch.

Are you a Good Candidate for an Arm Lift?

Not everyone who is unhappy with their arms or have have fat arms, should run out and find the nearest liposuction surgeon.

This is a procedure that is almost exclusively done on women, especially women who are physically healthy.

A female with firm, elastic skin will respond much better to this procedure than women with skin that has loosened over time.

Age is typically not a huge determining factor, however older women generally have less elastic skin than younger women and this could affect the results of the operation.

If you are serious about arm liposuction and are a smoker, then you should seriously consider kicking that habit before your operation.

Being a smoker can significantly increase the risks and delay the healing process.

Arm Lift Surgical Techniques

Among the decisions that need to be made prior to the operation is which surgical technique you would like to have used.

Three techniques are the most common for an arm lift, or rather arm liposuction, and each has different advantages and should be carefully considered before making a decision.

The tumescent technique, or power-assisted liposculpture, is a popular technique that uses micro-cannulas to break up the fat in the arm and vacuum it out using a high-powered pump.

This allows for a very large amount of arm fat to be removed fairly quickly, without leaving obtrusive scars.

The super wet technique inserts a saline solution mixed with adrenaline into the area, and this approach reduces post-operative swelling and pain.

The last major technique is also the newest. It is called the ultrasound-assisted technique, and it uses sound waves to liquefy the arm fat, resulting in less post-op bruising of the area.

Be sure to talk to your doctor extensively before deciding on which approach to use.

More detailed information on techniques can be found here.

Consider the risks

With any surgery that uses anesthesia, there are risks and complications involved.

These should be taken seriously when making a decision, but also realize that many of these risks are very uncommon.

Other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart and lung disease, or poor circulation, can greatly increase your risk for complications during a liposuction operation.

Some of the uncommon, but more serious side effects include blood clots, infections, and fluid build up in the lungs.

There are also several downfalls to this procedure.

The main one reported by patients is that an excessive removal of fat can at times give the arms a lumpy look rather than the slimming effect that is desired by so many women.

Financial Considerations

Arm liposuction costs vary widely depending on the surgeon, the location of the surgery and the amount of fat to be removed.

In 2010, the average cost in the United States for liposuction in both arms was nearly $3,000.

The low end of the cost spectrum is around $1,500 for both arms, whereas the high end is closer to $5,000 for both arms.

These fees typically do not include charges from the facility or for the anesthesia, which increase the price of this procedure.

Read the full article on arm liposuction average cost, financing options and trends here.

Having Realistic Expectations

There is nothing worse than going into what you think could be a life-altering operation, experiencing the pain and healing, and coming out on the other side disappointed.

It is important to have very real expectations when going into arm liposuction.

First and foremost, this surgery can most definitely enhance your physical appearance.

However, it will not completely change your appearance and will more than likely not give you your most ideal look.

As stated above, coupling this surgery with a healthy diet and exercise will get you closer to that ideal state than anything else.

It is also essential to not expect to wake up from the surgery looking great and feeling your best.

It typically takes anywhere from four to six weeks to see significant improvement.

Although one benefit of arm liposuction is very minimal scarring, there are instances of poor healing and bad scars.

Go into the surgery expecting to look better and feel more confident in your arms, but understand that this procedure alone will not give you your dream body.

Recovering From Arm Lift Surgery

Pain, swelling, and slight bleeding are very common post-operative issues that patients of arm liposuction surgery will have to deal with.

Compression is routinely applied to the arm in order to help with these.

Fluid drainage around the area is also a typical side effect, and doctors will often insert a thin tube to help drain the fluid quicker.

It is important to get up and moving as soon after the surgery as possible to minimize the risk of a blood clot.

The area will often feel very sore and stiff, but starting with slight movements and working your way up to normal everyday activities will help diminish these effects.

Patients usually report feeling significantly better and almost back to normal only one to two weeks after the surgery.

Be sure to avoid strenuous activities and exercises for at least a month to give the incisions time to completely heal.

The swelling of the area can hang around for a longer amount of time, though, with some not completely dissipating until six months later.

To schedule your private consultation or just to learn more about arm liposuction, simply submit your contact information in the form below.