Arm Contouring
Have you ever heard the term “bat wings”? We rarely realise how aesthetically important the appearance of the upper arms is — until the skin in this area starts to sag due to excess fat or becomes completely lax as a result of substantial weight loss or ageing.
The desire to correct the upper arms usually arises in younger patients after significant weight loss, or in older patients who have developed tissue laxity.
Upper arms can be most effectively shaped with VASER HD liposuction, which additionally tightens the skin. In cases of excessive skin laxity, a surgical procedure is required.
For smaller skin excisions, the scar can be hidden in the natural crease; with larger excisions, the scar is placed along the inner side of the upper arm and toward the armpit.
A preoperative consultation and discussion of your wishes and expectations are essential for planning the procedure. Before surgery, we will also talk through the extent of the procedure and the expected scarring.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts approximately 1–2 hours.
After surgery, the patient recovers for a few hours at the clinic and is then discharged home with detailed instructions.
During the first few days, mobility must be adjusted according to discomfort levels. Activities can be gradually increased.
Returning to work depends on the nature of the job, and arm movement restrictions must be respected. For 4–6 weeks, a compression garment must be worn to prevent swelling and fluid accumulation and to support skin tightening.
When excess skin is excised, the scar requires particularly careful care to become as fine as possible. Of all areas on the body, scars on the upper arm take the longest to fade.
More About the Procedure
A feminine upper arm is slender, with soft contours and subtle muscle definition. We rarely realise how aesthetically important the appearance of the upper arms is until the skin begins to sag and lose tone. When every movement is accompanied by the swinging of excess tissue, the condition becomes highly bothersome — especially in summer, when short and lightweight clothing makes the upper arms difficult to conceal. Excess tissue also makes personal hygiene more challenging due to constant friction and sweating, and skin irritation becomes more common. Skin laxity often occurs after substantial weight loss, when the skin cannot adjust to the reduced volume. With time, tissue laxity also develops due to ageing. Upper-arm correction is one of the procedures that can truly improve quality of life, and many patients who have lost a significant amount of weight report that this particular surgery gave them the greatest satisfaction.
Due to the special structure and anatomy of upper-arm fat deposits, correction using liposuction alone is suitable only for younger patients and for minimal contouring. The desire to correct the upper arms most often appears in younger individuals after major weight loss, or in older patients with age-related tissue laxity.
During the procedure, excess fat is removed and the loose skin is tightened. If the amount of excess skin is small, the scar can be hidden in the crease. In cases of more extensive tissue removal, the scar is placed along the inner side of the upper arm, extending from the elbow to the armpit, and in rare cases even onto the chest wall.
Am I a Suitable Candidate?
We rarely appreciate the aesthetic importance of the upper arms until the skin in this area begins to sag and become lax. When every movement is accompanied by the swinging of loose tissue, the condition becomes significantly bothersome — especially in summer, when short sleeves offer little coverage. Candidates are typically younger individuals who have lost substantial weight or older patients with age-related skin laxity.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Arm-contouring results are permanent if the patient maintains a stable weight and physical fitness. Small weight fluctuations do not affect the final outcome. Larger weight changes (either gain or loss) can significantly impact the result.
What Are the Options for Upper-Arm Contouring?
Depending on the degree of skin laxity and the presence of fat deposits, we choose the most appropriate technique. Due to the anatomy of upper-arm fat, liposuction alone is reserved for younger patients requiring minimal correction. Most commonly, both fat removal and skin tightening are needed.
Where Are the Scars Located?
If there is only a small amount of excess skin, the scar can be hidden in the armpit crease. For larger excisions, the scar is placed along the inner upper arm and may extend from the elbow to the armpit — rarely even onto the chest. Over time, scars fade and become barely visible. When the arms rest alongside the body, the scars are completely concealed.
