HD arm liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure that focuses on removing excess fat from the upper arm area.
It’s often chosen by patients who have found that certain areas of their body are resistant to weight loss, even with regular diet and exercise. It’s a cosmetic procedure, meaning that it is performed for aesthetic-based reasons.
In this blog, we’ll look at who might be suitable for the procedure and what to expect during the process, from your consultation to recovery.
Who is a suitable candidate for arm liposuction?
While arm liposuction can be suitable for a variety of candidates, it’s not necessarily appropriate for everyone.
Your practitioner will consider multiple factors during your consultation, including the amount of excess fat in the area and how much you are hoping to remove with liposuction.
The procedure may be most effective for patients who have good skin tone and elasticity in the arms, as the skin will need to adjust to the new shape of the arm after the fat is removed. If the skin has lost elasticity, arm liposuction alone might not provide the kind of result a patient is hoping for, and other procedures might be recommended alongside it.
General health is also very important. Patients will usually need to be in overall good health, without underlying conditions that could complicate the surgery or healing process. Candidates should also consider that smoking may also need to be paused well in advance of surgery, as it can impact healing.
When it comes to each candidate’s expectations, it’s important to know that liposuction procedures – including arm liposuction – is not a weight loss method. It’s designed to make detailed changes to a specific area, rather than address general body fat. This being said, it tends to be more suited to patients who are already close to their target weight but are looking to address persistent fat pockets in one region.
The consultation and planning stage
Before your surgery can officially go ahead, a consultation will take place so that your practitioner can assess whether or not the arm liposuction procedure is appropriate for you.
During the planning stage, the patient’s medical history will be reviewed, and the arms will be physically examined to look at the amount of fat present, the quality of the skin, and how the tissue is distributed.
Your practitioner will usually explain where the small incisions will be placed, how much fat can likely be removed, and what kind of result to expect based on skin quality.
Patients will also be given information about pre-operative instructions, including any medications to avoid and how to prepare for the days of recovery after the procedure.
It’s important that any questions are asked during this time, particularly around the recovery period, what’s realistic in terms of results, and when follow-up appointments will be scheduled.
What to expect on the day of surgery
Arm liposuction is generally performed as a day procedure under general anaesthetic, but it may sometimes be done under local anaesthetic with sedation, depending on the amount of fat being removed and your practitioner’s particular approach to performing the surgery.
Small incisions (usually less than 5 mm in length) are made in discreet areas of the arm so that a thin tube, known as a cannula, can be inserted.
The cannula is used to break up the fat and suction it out, through controlled back-and-forth movements. The process may take anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the extent of the fat removal and whether one or both arms are being treated. Once the fat has been removed, the incisions are closed and a compression garment is usually applied straight away.
Patients will typically be monitored in recovery for a short period before going home the same day, provided that there are no complications. It’s essential that someone is available to take the patient home, as driving is not permitted after having a general anaesthetic or sedation.
Recovery and healing after arm liposuction
Recovery after arm liposuction will vary from person to person, but there are some common things to expect.
For the first few days, swelling and bruising are very normal, and the arms may feel tender, firm, or slightly numb. Compression garments will need to be worn as advised to help manage swelling and provide some support to the healing tissues in the area.
It’s important that the arms are not overused during the initial recovery period. While most patients are encouraged to keep lightly mobile, such as moving the arms gently and doing light walking, any heavy lifting, exercise, or strenuous activity will need to be avoided until the body has healed sufficiently.
Bruising can take a couple of weeks to fade, while swelling may take longer to gradually subside. The final result isn’t usually assessed until a few months after surgery, once the tissues have healed enough and the remaining swelling has resolved.
Patients will generally have at least four follow-up appointment, sometimes more, to check how the area is healing and to ensure there are no complications. If there are any concerns, such as increased pain, discharge from the incision sites, or signs of infection, it’s important that medical advice is sought straight away.
Dr Attalla: Chelsea Cosmetics Melbourne
As the founder and director of Chelsea Cosmetic Surgery, Dr Mark Attalla is an experienced cosmetic practitioner who can perform various cosmetic surgical procedures, including liposuction.
He is a respected Fellow of the Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery and has the experience that is needed to consider your personal concerns and tailor your procedure accordingly.
If you want to find out if you are a suitable candidate for arm liposuction and learn about what you can expect throughout the procedure process, we advise you to have a consultation with Dr Attalla.
To enquire, please contact our team at Chelsea Cosmetics Melbourne to discuss how to schedule your consultation and ask any questions.
