Lipo or an arm lift
Hold your arm out and pinch the back of it. Soft fat with skin that springs back: liposuction. An apron of skin that swings: an arm lift (brachioplasty), from about €7,000 in Dublin, with a scar along the inner arm.
Not for you if
- the skin on your upper arms is loose or crepey
- your weight is still going up or down
- the real problem is loose skin, not fat
- you smoke and can't stop before surgery
- you're pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy soon
Recovery around work
A compression sleeve for several weeks, usually hidden under a long-sleeved top. Desk work in about a week; no heavy lifting or upper-body training until your surgeon agrees, often ten to twelve weeks.
Risks
Bruising, swelling for up to six months, numbness for six to eight weeks and small scars are normal. Less often: uneven or lumpy results, a collection of blood or fluid, infection, skin colour changes, or a reaction to the anaesthetic. Rarely: a blood clot that travels to the lungs, fluid on the lungs, or injury to an internal organ.
Ask the surgeon
- Is my upper-arm skin firm enough, or would an arm lift suit me better?
- Where will the cuts be, and how will they heal?
Questions
Will arm lipo show scars in short sleeves?
The cuts are a few millimetres, near the elbow and in the armpit, and fade over months.
Arms and back together?
Yes, often. Two areas in Dublin cost €3,000 to €7,000.