Which Type Of Liposuction Is Best For My Upper Arms?

Q: Dr. Eppley. I am interested in getting liposuction to make my upper arms smaller. They are so big I can not get shirts over them and it has been an annoyance for a long time. They flop around and it is so embarrassing. I only wear long sleeve shirts so they stay hidden. I think liposuction will help make them smaller but I am confused as to what method of liposuction is best. Should I get Smartlipo, Cool Lipo, Vaser Lipo or Lipotherme?

A: While it is understandable why you are considering liposuction for your upper arms, it will not produce the result you are looking for not matter what the liposuction technique. Based on your description of your arms, it sounds like you simply have too much skin to get the arm reduction you desire. Ideally you need liposuction combined with an armlift or arm skin reduction procedure. This does result in an upper arm scar so you have to consider that carefully as a trade-off. There is nothing wrong with doing liposuction alone but your expectation of the arm reduction results should be appropriately tempered. As liposuction removes fat, it makes the skin of the arm like the belly of a pregnant women who has just delivered…deflated and more loose. This is why consideration must be given to the resultant skin excess after arm liposuction alone.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana