Will a brachioplasty improve upper arm muscle definition?
Arm lift surgery (brachioplasty) removes extra skin and fat from the upper arms which can improve visibility of the existing arm muscles. An arm lift won’t add muscle mass, but it can give the biceps and triceps a more toned appearance.
Disclaimer: Operation performed by Dr Bernard Beldholm. Adult content, surgery has risks; individual results vary, seek 2nd opinion. Please see the full disclaimer.
Can an arm lift really improve muscle tone?
Removing loose skin can increase arm muscle visibility.
Arm lift surgery does not alter the muscle. Yet it may make it easier to see the upper arm muscles you’ve worked hard to build during your gym routine. Once the saggy skin is no longer in the way, the arm muscles will be more clearly visible.
Reducing excess fat can make the arm muscles more clearly visible.
Some patients have an arm lift as a standalone procedure. Others choose to combine an arm lift and arm liposuction into one surgery.
We asked specialist general surgeon Dr Bernard Beldholm to share his thoughts on liposuction-assisted arm lifts. He had this to say:
“I find adding VASER liposuction to an arm lift tends to give my patients the most aesthetically pleasing outcome. VASER also helps to etch the areas around the arm muscles.”
Dr Beldholm tells us he often adds VASER liposuction to his arm lift procedures. Using a suction device for fat removal, he reduces upper arm fat to reveal thinner, sleeker arms. After removing the fat deposits, he finds his patients are able to see their upper arm muscles more clearly.
According to Dr Beldholm, VASER liposuction is a very precise fat removal tool. It not only reduces fat. It also can be used to define the soft tissues surrounding the arm muscles. He prefers it over standard liposuction and finds that VASER does an excellent job of contouring the arms.
What happens during an upper arm lift?
Brachioplasty surgery tightens and contours saggy upper arm tissues. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon trims off the loose skin and excess subcutaneous fat. There are several types of arm lifts, all of which may highlight the existing arm musculature.
Mini Brachioplasty
A mini arm lift offers a modest result since the surgeon only removes a minimal amount of skin and fat. While only a small amount of excess tissue is removed, the surgery can promote better arm muscle visibility to an extent.
Full Brachioplasty
A full arm lift procedure removes more excess skin and fat than a mini arm lift. The incision is longer, but the results are more dramatic. After removing the redundant skin and fat, the arm muscles will be easier to see.
Extended Brachioplasty
An extended arm lift removes sagging skin and fatty tissue from the upper arm, armpit (axilla), and the sides of the chest wall. Designed for post-bariatric patients, the surgery can drastically tighten and tone the upper arms, highlighting the existing arm muscles that were once hidden from view.
Liposuction-assisted Brachioplasty
Our surgeons at BCSC frequently perform VASER liposuction during an arm lift to further refine the arm contours and reduce fat deposits. Liposuction can be added to any type of arm lift. Note that patients with fatty tissue and firm, tight skin may only need liposuction to achieve greater arm muscle visibility.
Arm Toning Exercises to Try After Arm Lift Surgery
With less excess loose skin and unwanted fat in the way, many arm lift patients double down on their workout efforts after healing from surgery. Here are three of the top exercises for toned arms.
Tricep Dips
Seat yourself in a sturdy chair, hold onto the sides of the seat, and slide your buttocks forward and off the chair. Lower your bum to the floor, hold, then lift yourself up so that your buttocks is level with the chair seat. Repeat.
Floor Presses
Lie on the floor with your knees bent. With a dumbbell in each hand, outstretch your arms toward the sky, keeping your arms aligned with your chest. Hold. Then lower the dumbbells toward your chest by dropping your elbows to the floor. Repeat.
Plank Curls
Get in a planking position with a dumbbell in each hand. Curl one dumbbell up toward your shoulder, then hold briefly, and drop the dumbbell back to the floor. Repeat by alternating arms.
Exercise is crucial for a great brachioplasty result
An arm lift will make it easier to show off the arm muscles you already have. However, it won’t replace exercise. If you don’t have toned arms to begin with, adding upper arm workouts to your routine can help give your arms a chiseled look.
Furthermore, it is critical to maintain a stable weight after an an arm lift. Putting on weight will cause fat deposits on the upper arms, which can make it difficult to see the arm muscles.
When is it safe to exercise after arm lift surgery?
After an arm lift operation, you’ll need time to heal. That means strenuous exercise is off limits for at least three to four weeks. Once cleared by your surgeon, you can gradually start incorporating light exercise and weight lifting into your routine. As your upper arms continue to heal, you can increase the intensity of your workouts.
Achieve firmer, upper arms with upper arm lift surgery in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra
Are you ready to remove excess fat and loose skin from your upper arm region after significant weight loss? An arm lift procedure may be the next step. Ask your GP for a referral to speak to the surgeons at Body Contouring Surgery Clinic today.
