Arm AirSculpt Compared to Arm Lifts and Lipo

Anyone that has ever stood in front of the mirror, lifted their arms to a 90-degree angle, and seen how the underside jiggles and flaps is likely familiar with the term 'batwings.'

Doctors say that the upper arm is one of the most commonly complained of areas amongst older patients and those that have shifted dramatically in weight. But the solution isn't always as straightforward as removing the fat cells with liposuction, as many patients would assume. 

Differences Between Liposuction and Arm Lifts

For liposuction to deliver successful results, you'd have to assume that a patient's skin quality is good enough so the skin can wrap itself back around the newly treated area once the fat has been removed.

Your skin should be thick enough and with minimal sun damage for this to be successful. Patients with significant fat in the rear arm often require an arm lift in combination with liposuction.

An arm lift procedure is designed to remove the excess, loose skin and recounter the area. It's considered a relatively low-risk surgery but has a notable downside: a noticeable scar. Liposuction typically uses smaller incisions, resulting in less noticeable scarring. 

While the scar from an arm lift doesn't seem like a reasonable tradeoff for most people that are concerned with their aesthetics, the truth is that there's no other way to get rid of loose excess skin. Liposuction is a procedure that's designed merely to extract fat from the treatment site and will do little to remove the excess skin.

Recovery from arm liposuction alone can be uncomfortable for about ten days, though most patients can return to work earlier. The case is different with an arm lift. Doctors agree that arm lift recovery is significantly more intense, particularly when surgical drains are used.

If one has loose skin after an arm liposuction procedure, they may opt for an arm lift afterward to achieve the desired results. Yet, you must overcome the entire recovery period from the liposuction before undergoing any other form of surgery.

Is There A More Suitable Option?

Yes, there is. But, before we discuss a more suitable option, it's best to clarify the specific issues with arm liposuction and arm lifts.

While much has been said about the differences between arm lipo and lifts, the commonality is that they are all fully surgical procedures.  

The main risks associated with these surgeries could be infection, excessive bleeding, fat necrosis, and varying degrees of pain. But, there are also aesthetic risks, such as too much fat being removed or an incorrectly performed skin excision, which could create unsatisfactory results.

Therefore, there has now been a shift within the world of cosmetic procedures. People are now less interested in traditional surgical methods and opt for less invasive alternatives that can still provide significant results.

While that seems to be a somewhat complicated ask, it turns out that it's very much a possible option in several cities within North America.

How Arm AirSculpt® is Revamping Fat Removal

AirSculpt® has developed patented technology that is effectively changing how fat removal is performed.

Arm AirSculpt® represents the next generation treatment, providing patients with the opportunity to make changes to their bodies without resorting to invasive surgical techniques.

While traditional liposuction uses incisions, stitches, and general anesthesia, arm fat removal can now be performed without these grueling necessities. Not using these tools allows for a safer and more comfortable experience for all patients, which can still ensure high-quality results and changes for your arms.

How Does This Procedure Work?

AirPen uses air pressure differentials to distribute a topical numbing solution on the treatment site. Once the arm has been numbed, a biopsy punch is used to create a perfectly symmetrical two-millimeter hole in the arm, forming an aperture through which the fat will be removed.

The AirSculpt® surgeon then numbs and softens the fat and prepares the arms, making it easier to remove fat afterward.

The AirSculpt® cannula is then inserted into the opening, initiating the fat-removal process. Using this cannula is less invasive than traditional liposuction, given that it uses a mechanical motion. Liposuction tends to remove the fat from the body, while AirSculpt® plucks the fat cells with ease.

Once all the fat has been extracted, the tiny opening is left to heal naturally, which is why Arm AirSculpt® does not use stitches or sutures. Minimal scarring is produced from this procedure, leaving only a freckle-sized mark afterward.

More to Consider

 

It must be made clear that the Arm AirSculpt® is a procedure designed to remove excess fat from the treatment site and does not specialize in loose, excess skin. Still, our technique does stimulate collagen production, helping to firm up the arm and provide some tightening results. Many patients who initially thought they would need liposuction and a lift often opt for AirSculpt for the arms alone and experience superb results. 

AirSculpt® operates under the mantra that all patients should be able to change their bodies without worrying about unnecessary risks from general anesthesia.

In terms of downtime, minimally invasive techniques allow for a quicker recovery than traditional procedures. On average, most patients can return to work after two days.

For more details about how we can assist you, call our Seattle office for your free consultation.