Surgeons will often not perform arm liposuction procedures on people who are more than 15 lbs overweight. In general, most of those who have the procedure are not overweight individuals; they are simply people who have the tendency to develop excessive and abnormal fatty deposits in their upper arms.

Men and women of all ages can be liposuction candidates, through women make up the majority of arm liposuctions performed. Older folks may not have the same degree of skin elasticity as that found in younger patients, and therefore may not easily achieve the same results from this type of liposuction.

A loss in skin elasticity can mean that following the removal of excess fat, the skin will not shrink or tighten back up to the appropriate level. It may remain loose and can be very unsightly and excessive. If you are one with less resilient skin, you may need to have an arm lift following your liposuction in order to remove excess skin and tighten that which remains.

In order to be a candidate for any surgery, there are specific criteria that will be examined. You will need to be in good general health to be a good surgery candidate. A doctor will want to ensure that you are physically sound enough to withstand the potential complications that can come with arm liposuction surgery.

In general, anyone who is embarrassed by the appearance of their upper arms can be a potential liposculpture patient. Many who have excessive fat or saggy upper arms make strong candidates for this procedure. Others who have disproportionate upper arms or have the tendency to develop odd pockets of fatty deposits in the upper arms can also be potential candidates.

The cost of arm liposuction varies among the surgeons who perform the procedure, and can be based on a number of factors, but the average arm liposuction costs around $2,500. The type of anesthesia used can influence the cost. General anesthesia is the most expensive, and often surgeons employ a local anesthetic in combination with a light sedation in order to perform this procedure.

The amount of fat needing to be removed, as well as the placement of that fat can also impact arm liposuction cost. Fat in various pockets or a large amount of fat can often increase surgery time. If only small amounts of fat need to be removed and are easily accessible during surgery, the procedure can be performed more quickly. The length of surgery can have a significant impact on the overall costs.

The location of the surgery and the general geographic location of the surgeon can also impact cost. An arm liposuction performed at a clinic will be less expensive than one done in a hospital setting. Surgeons operating in larger metropolitan locations often charge less than those who are the only providers to be found in more rural locations.

Arm liposuction, like any surgery can carry risks of complication and should therefore be taken very seriously. Recovery can be simple for many patients, but some can experience difficulties. You will want to weigh the risks and potential benefits before making your decision. A good qualified surgeon will be able to help you determine if liposuction is right for you.

What is liposuction for the arms?

When you look into the mirror and raise your arm, it is possible that you would see a saggy body part. Although this might not really be a health risk, the unsightly fats surrounding the arm can really affect one’s confidence. Thus, it is normal for people to undergo an upper arm liposuction.

How is this procedure conducted?

When you get to a cosmetic surgery clinic, you would be examined first. The doctor in charge will be the one to ascertain if arm liposuction is for you. Once he or she recommends it, you will be scheduled for a surgery date.

You will be given general anesthesia before commencing with the actual operation. This is done so you won’t feel any pain while the cosmetic surgeon sucks away the fatty deposits in your arm. The doctor will then need to create one or two small incisions on the arms. The number of incision will greatly depend on the targeted area. A cannula or a small thin tube will be inserted in these incisions to break up the fats and suck it out. This kind of procedure is an out-patient surgery. This means that the patient can go home after the procedure is done unless the doctor recommends otherwise.

What should you expect after this kind of cosmetic surgery?

Swelling and inflammation are expected after the surgery. They can last for weeks so it might be best to take a leave from work. You will also experience pain after the anesthesia has worn out. Although this is normal, your doctor will most likely prescribe your with analgesics or pain relievers. Never force yourself to take on the responsibilities that you have left behind. Remember that you need to fully recover after the procedure.

Once your wounds have healed and the swelling stops, you would easily notice a big difference. However, results will vary greatly from patient to patient.

What are the things that you should consider before undergoing the procedure?

Identify and objectively assess if you really need this kind of procedure. Remember that despite the fact that this is a low-risk surgery, it could still hinder you from doing tasks during your recovery period. The second thing that you should take into account is your budget. Arm liposuction does not come cheap. Make sure that you are financially capable of shouldering its costs.

In this safe and relatively simple operation, a narrow tube is inserted into the skin through a small incision along the upper arm area and into the fat deposits. The tube, called a cannula, breaks up and suctions the fat out of the arm leaving muscles, blood vessels, and skin undamaged. The whole procedure takes only a few hours and it is done with the aid of local or general anesthesia so pain and discomfort is minimal. The recovery period, too, is relatively easy since medications may be prescribed for temporary side effects such as swelling, numbness, minor pain, or discomfort.

After about three weeks or less, the woman who has had the procedure can now boast slimmer, more attractive upper arms that are in better proportion to the rest of her figure. She now feels more confident wearing short-sleeved garments and she can engage in her usual activities with more energy, resulting in an overall increase in self esteem. Clearly, the long term benefits of this procedure outweigh the initial discomfort that a woman must endure.

However, it is not an instant, fix-all solution to women’s weight or self-concept troubles. Ultimately, a slim appearance can only be effectively obtained and kept through regular exercise and a sensible diet. With regards to the upper arm area itself, the recipient of the operation should not expect to come out of the clinic with superbly well-toned arms as this procedure does not directly improve muscle tone. It only takes out excess fat. Therefore, as mentioned, constant physical exercise still needs to be done in order to complement the results attained through the operation.

Before making up her mind to sign up for arm liposuction, a woman should carefully take stock of her current health condition, preferably under the supervision of a physician, as any present disease or illness may lead to unexpected complications or a longer than necessary recovery period. Another important thing to do is to consult a doctor about the different techniques that are used in the procedure to determine if there is one that suits her best or if recommendations could be made as to the most suitable clinic, surgeon, type of anesthesia, and such. Lifestyle habits may also need to be adjusted—quitting smoking, for instance—that could not only hasten the healing stages of the operation but also improve the general and long term quality of her life.

After recovering from arm liposuction, she can now celebrate her new, confident, healthier and slimmer figure with fashionable and more attractive clothes, and engage more in exciting activities without worrying about making an unfavorable impression. If you want, you can view arm liposuction before and after pictures by searching for them online just to get an idea of what this procedure can do for you.