You know liposuction is often used for areas like the abdomen and back, but did you also know that arm liposuction and thigh liposuction are increasingly popular procedures? Liposuction allows you to target areas with excess fat, that have been resistant to diet and exercise. Sometimes, no matter how many bicep curls or squats someone does, they will have areas of stubborn fat. This is why we offer both arm liposuction and thigh liposuction at Athenix.
Arm Liposuction
Why we offer liposuction for the arms
Even with regular exercise, over time your arms may have areas that you are unhappy with. There is little we can do to prevent some of the changes you may see, however, we can treat these cosmetic issues. Here are some of the reasons our arms change:
- Gravity: the effects of gravity are inevitable, and usually affect some parts of the body more than others. The upper arms can be particularly susceptible to ‘drooping’ because of gravity.
- Aging: as we grow older, the natural changes in our bodies can make arms look less shapely than desired. While exercise can give arms tone and definition, it sometimes cannot get rid of stubborn pockets of fat.
- Weight gain: if you’re carrying extra weight, or gained weight at some point, this can affect the appearance of your arms. Since different people gain and lose weight in different parts of their bodies, some people are more likely to have fat accumulate in their arms.
Arm liposuction vs arm lift
There are several important differences between arm liposuction and an arm lift. First, arm liposuction targets fat. However, liposuction does not target excess skin. If your primary concern about your arms is loose skin, liposuction is probably not the best choice. If you have both excess fat and loose skin, we may be able to customize a combination of arm procedures for you that includes liposuction. An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is the procedure that removes excess skin. One benefit of arm liposuction over an arm lift, is an arm lift generally leaves a notable scar. Arm liposuction often leaves scars that are so small, they are barely noticeable after some time.
How arm liposuction is performed
When performing liposuction of the arms, we have a few choices about where to make a small incision. We will make this decision based on where the fat in your arms is most distributed. In general, an incision can be made near the elbow, or the arm pit. In either case, we are able to use an incision that is quite small, and often fades away within a year. We use a thin tube called a “cannula” to remove the fat from your arms. When we perform arm liposuction, our surgeons do not just remove fat – they do it in a way that shapes the upper arms to give a lean, toned, and proportionate appearance.
Thigh Liposuction
Why we offer liposuction for the thighs
Even with a healthy diet and focused leg exercises, some people find they have fat on their thighs they cannot get rid of. In this case, liposuction may be a good option. Liposuction can be a minimally invasive way to physically remove the excess fat cells from your thighs. Here are several reasons people come to see us to talk about thigh liposuction:
- Uneven distribution of fat: different people carry fat in different ways. Even people of the same height and weight, can have thighs that are shaped quite differently. Liposuction can be used to create better proportions in your legs.
- Gravity: over time, the fat in our legs can start to sag, giving an older appearance to our legs. Liposuction can address this excess fat, and make the legs look younger.
- Weight fluctuations: sometimes after gaining weight, even if you lose the weight again, you may find there are stubborn areas of your body that you are unable to slim down. Liposuction can be used to address fat that you are unable to get rid of, leaving you with a leaner appearance.
- Age: as we get older, many of us will find we have a different distribution of fat than we did when we were younger. For example, we may have ‘saddlebags’ that we want to get rid of.
How we perform liposuction of the thighs
If you are looking for leaner thighs, liposuction may be a good option because it is a procedure that allows us to target exactly where we are removing fat from. We can use this procedure to shape the thighs by removing the areas of fat that will leave you with a lengthened, leaner appearance to your legs. There are 2 primary parts of the thigh that may accumulate excess fat:
- The inner thighs: this is the area we look at when someone wants a slender appearance to the insides of the legs, or is hoping for a thigh-gap appearance.
- The outer thighs: when fat accumulates in the upper outer thighs, this is known as the saddlebag area. Extra fat in this area can give the look of a lower center of gravity. You can also develop extra fat on the lower part of your outer thighs as well.
Some people have liposuction in either the outer or inner thighs, and some people choose to have liposuction in both areas. We can also remove fat on the front of the thighs, especially near the knee area. At an in-person consultation, our surgeons are able to help you understand your best treatment options, and what will give you the results you’re hoping for.
Using liposuction to get a “thigh gap”
Sometimes we are asked if liposuction can be used to create a “thigh gap” – which is a physical leg shape where the tops of the legs do not meet. In some cases, this look can be achieved with liposuction, but the only way to know is based on an in-person consultation. The ability to use liposuction to create a thigh gap can be affected by:
- Your current weight
- The shape of your pelvis
- The elasticity of your skin
- Your bone structure
- How the fat on your legs is distributed
If too much fat is removed from an area, this can leave you with loose skin. Depending on your goals and body structure, you may also be interested in a thigh lift.
Arm & Thigh Liposuction FAQs
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for arm liposuction or thigh liposuction?
The best way to tell if you are a good candidate for arm or thigh liposuction is to come in for a consultation. In general, here are some characteristics of a good liposuction candidate:
- Not looking for overall weight loss
- Has tried diet and exercise, but is unable to lose fatty areas on the arms or legs
- Is in overall good health
- Has some elasticity in their skin
- Does not have loose arm or thigh skin as their primary cosmetic concern
- Has realistic expectations
Qualifying for bariatric surgery
In general, someone can qualify for bariatric surgery if their BMI is 40 or higher, regardless of any other medical conditions. In addition, someone with weight-related medical conditions may qualify for bariatric surgery with a BMI of 35 and up. These weight-related medical conditions are commonly called comorbidities. The generally recognized comorbities include:
- Arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Venous stasis disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Soft tissue infections
What is recovery like, from arm liposuction and thigh liposuction?
Our liposuction is done at a beautiful, safe center, in a more minimally invasive, gentle manner, than the liposuction techniques of the past decades. This allows for less swelling, less bruising, and quicker recovery. Our arm liposuction and thigh liposuction patients generally go home after their procedure. You can expect some level of discomfort as you heal, and should avoid significant physical exertion like jogging or lifting heavy objects. We will give you a more detailed description of the recovery process, when we talk to you about what areas of fat will remove, how much volume we’ll take out, and what you can expect after the procedure.
What should I do if I’m interested in arm or thigh liposuction?
If you have questions about whether arm liposuction or thigh liposuction may help you reach your goals, the best thing to do is get in touch with us.
