Can Exercise Fix Loose Arm Skin, or Do I Definitely Need Surgery?
If the problem is fat, exercise can help. Tricep exercises and overall weight loss will reduce the fullness in your upper arms. But if the problem is loose, hanging skin, no amount of exercise will tighten it. Skin that has lost its elasticity from aging, weight loss, or genetics doesn't snap back with workouts. I see this misunderstanding all the time in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley patients who've been doing tricep kickbacks for two years with no change. They feel frustrated and think they're doing something wrong. They're not. It's a skin problem, not a muscle problem, and surgery is the fix.
Arm Lift vs. Arm Liposuction
If you're under 40 with good skin elasticity and the issue is mostly fat, liposuction alone can give you a nice result. The skin retracts and the arms look slimmer. If there's excess skin hanging down, what people call "bat wings," you need a brachioplasty (arm lift). This removes the excess skin and tightens everything up. The trade-off is a scar that runs along the inner arm from the armpit toward the elbow. I place it as far back as possible so it's less visible, but it's there. I'm upfront about this because you need to decide if the scar is worth the improvement. For most patients, it absolutely is.
What Recovery Looks Like
Two to three weeks before you feel comfortable in short sleeves. The swelling makes your arms look bigger initially, which alarms some patients, but it resolves over a few weeks. I want you in a compression garment for four to six weeks. No heavy lifting or overhead movements for four to six weeks. For Huntington Beach patients who surf or swim, that's the hardest part. But the wait is worth it. Once you're healed, you'll actually want to wear tank tops again.
Pricing for Arm Lift Surgery
The price for a full arm lift procedure including the operating and the anesthesiologist, is 11,900. If you don't need the full lift, then the price would be less. During your free consultation, I will discuss both options and decide together which procedure will be the best.
Location and Scheduling
We're at 3140 Red Hill Ave in Costa Mesa. From Huntington Beach, take the 405 east to Red Hill. From Fountain Valley, take Euclid or Brookhurst to the 405. About 15 minutes either way. Call (714) 544-8678 for a free consultation. I'll evaluate your arms, recommend the right procedure, and show you before and after photos of similar patients.
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