How To Get Great Arms

One of the biggest trends in cosmetic surgery this year has been brachioplasty. Yes, women have been ogling Michelle Obama and Jennifer Aniston’s arms! It has been claimed that the rate of upper arm lift  (brachioplasty) surgeries have soared to over 400% from previous years. One article stated that “Over 15,000 women got an upper arm procedure in 2012, which is an increase of 4,378% since 2000.”  In actuality, the numbers are deceptive because really those numbers reflect only about 300  more women than previously.  No one is quite sure why this particular statistic was played up so much. However, let’s talk about arms and why someone would want an upper arm lift.

First of all, it is important to understand that one does not just go to a cosmetic surgeon and get their arms remodeled. Ms. Obama and Ms. Aniston’s arms are obviously a result of shapely muscles that are well defined from healthy eating and exercise. This means there is not much fat hiding those muscles. You might note that Ms. Obama has well-developed biceps too. Now, there are bicep implants that can be had, but this is rarely a surgery that is sought by women. What most women are bemoaning is the skin that hangs beneath the arm, hiding the triceps muscles. New unflattering nicknames have been generated for this such as “bat wings” and “tri flaps.” The best way for the average woman to acquire more flattering arms is by lifting weights. There are specific exercises to develop both triceps and bicep muscles. In order to see the muscles, you must not have a lot of fat hiding them; that is the trick to muscle definition. Because we lose fat from the outer extremities first, it is easier to lose weight in your arms than on your belly. So your best bet is diet, and bodybuilding if you want arms like theirs.

Secondly, an upper arm lift is indicated when skin elasticity and tone has decreased and sagging upper arm skin can occur. This can occur with aging, it may have to do with genetics, or when one loses a great deal of weight. The surgery is mainly to target excess skin, although a small amount of fat may be removed with liposuction. Candidates for upper arm lifts are generally people who have undergone dramatic weight loss and have a lack of skin elasticity which results in excess skin. Most people who seek upper arm lifts have had bariatric surgery. Basically, one wants a good reason for an upper arm lift as it leaves a visible scar from your elbow to your armpit. But if you are a candidate, it works!

An upper arm lift is extremely effective for excess hanging skin. Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center does offer arm lifts (and body lifts) for patients who find that they are unhappy with excess hanging skin, have undergone bariatric surgery or otherwise lost an extreme amount of weight.

Dr. Branman

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