Arm & Thigh Lift

Plastic Surgeon & Skin Care Spa Serving Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee's Summit & Nearby Areas of Kansas & Missouri

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What Is an Arm Lift?

After significant weight loss, some patients are left with excess skin in the arms. This redundant skin can be a topic of great cosmetic concern for many patients. Some report it keeps them from wearing certain clothes and feel they are not comfortable with the way their arms look, often times referring to them as “bat wings.”

An arm lift or brachioplasty is the surgery to resolve the problem of excess skin on the arms. Incisions for an arm lift are positioned in the inner aspect of the arm between the armpit and the elbow. This procedure is very effective at improving the contour of the arms.

Your Brachioplasty Consultation

During the consultation, Dr. Perez will examine you and discuss the pros and cons of this procedure in relation to your particular contour and cosmetic goal. Then a plan specific to your surgical goal will be formulated.

The Arm Lift Surgery

Dr. Perez starts the procedure by performing liposuction of the medial and posterior areas of the arms. This allows for removal of unwanted fat deposits and also facilitates the separation of the skin layer from the deeper structures with minimal blood loss.

educational image illustrating arm lift surgery

Next, the skin of the medial aspect of the arm is removed and it is then sutured in layers. With this technique the scar is not visible from the posterior, lateral, or anterior view. It is only visible if the patient lifts their arm and stretches them outwards.

Arm lift surgery is performed in an outpatient surgery center with general anesthesia administered by a Board Certified anesthesiologist.

Who Is a Candidate for Thigh Lift Surgery?

Ideal thigh lift surgery candidates struggle with loose skin and excess fat. These are common concerns that may result from significant weight loss, aging, or even liposuction.

A thigh lift might be right for you if you want to improve the contour of your thigh area. It can help you achieve goals that you haven’t been able to reach through diet and exercise alone. If you are like most patients, then you will also notice less chafing, and your clothes will fit better.

It is important to approach thigh lift surgery with reasonable expectations. You should also be generally healthy. Be prepared to discuss your medical history during your consultation. 

How Much Excess Skin Can a Thigh Lift Remove?

A thigh lift can remove a significant amount of excess skin from your inner and outer thighs. It offers far more dramatic and visible results than non-surgical services or skin-firming creams.

The exact amount of skin that can be removed during the surgery depends on the thigh lift technique. A medial (inner) thigh lift targets the area between the groin and knee. Meanwhile, a lateral (outer) thigh lift typically focuses on the region between the buttocks and the knee. Compared to an inner lift, this approach is more complex, creates a longer scar, and removes more tissue. Our surgeon will determine which method is needed to achieve your goals.

Will a Thigh Lift Get Rid of Cellulite?

A thigh lift can improve or eliminate cellulite in the treated area due to its skin-tightening properties. However, correcting cellulite is not the primary goal of this body procedure. 

Who Is a Candidate for Arm Lift Surgery?

You might consider arm lift surgery to combat the unwanted hanging skin or extra fat that has appeared beneath your arms due to aging, weight fluctuations, or massive weight loss. The procedure can give you shapelier arms that look better in short-sleeve and sleeveless clothing.

Keep in mind that the healing process can take up to six weeks. Make sure that you can accommodate it before you commit to having arm lift surgery. 

What Are the Different Types of Arm Lifts?

Our practice offers two types of arm lift surgery. The first is the traditional arm lift approach. Involving liposuction and the removal of excess skin, this technique creates a scar from the armpit to the elbow. It offers the most significant correction of loose skin and extra fat.

The second is a mini-arm lift. Also known as a mini brachioplasty, this technique limits the removal of excess skin to the upper portion of the arm, which results in a smaller scar. Our practice uses laser-assisted liposuction to perform what we call the “Renue Arm Lift”. 

Will a Brachioplasty Help Remove My Bat Wing Arms?

This procedure is the most effective way to get rid of so-called bat wings. Also known as a brachioplasty, an arm lift removes the excess fat and loose skin that keep your arms from looking toned and sculpted. It is an ideal and long-lasting way to recontour your arms.

Mini Brachioplasty or Renue Arm Lift

For patients with mild to moderate amounts of excess skin, Dr. Perez offers the “Renue Arm Lift.” This procedure consists of a mini-brachioplasty with the use of the Smartlipo MPX laser assisted liposuction. In this procedure the skin excised is limited to the upper portion of the arm, leaving only a transverse scar in the axilla.

Renue armlift before and after
See more arm lift results!

The use of the Smartlipo MPX Laser technology induces skin contraction in the rest of the arm, which allows for adequate results without the large scar of the traditional arm lift. This procedure is performed in our Overland Park office surgical suite under local tumescent anesthesia and oral sedation.

Recovery and Aftercare for Arm Lift Procedure

After an arm lift, the patient is instructed to wear a compression garment for 4 weeks. This will facilitate the healing process by reducing the swelling and the gentle pressure allows the dissected layers to heal together, further promoting a smooth contour. Soon after the surgery, Dr. Perez will instruct the patient on post-surgical massage. He will also apply paper tape to the surgical scar, which will be reapplied at intervals for at least 4 weeks. This applies a light pressure to the scar to ensure the best-healed scar possible.

Oral narcotic pain medication is necessary for a period of 7 to 14 days in the majority of the patients. Some patients will be able to return to work in about 7 to 10 days, however, physical activity with significant use of the arms is not recommended for at least 3 weeks.

What Is a Thigh Lift?

Also known as “Medial Thigh Lift

Patients who have experienced significant weight fluctuations often have redundant skin and fat in the thighs. Other patients who are dissatisfied with their thighs may have loose skin in the upper thigh area as a result of sun damage. This excessive tissue in the inner thigh area can be removed with a thigh lift, reducing skin laxity and improving shape and firmness to this area.

The Consultation

During a consultation, Dr. Perez will examine you and discuss the pros and cons of this procedure in relation to your particular contour and cosmetic goal. Then a specific plan to your surgical goal will be formulated.

The Surgery

Dr. Perez starts this procedure with liposuction of the planned area of skin excision. This will facilitate the separation of the skin and minimizes the amount of bleeding. Patients who have larger amounts of skin will need an incision located in the inner part of the thigh as well. This is called an extended medial thigh lift.

educational image illustrating thigh lift surgery

The thigh lift procedure is done at an accredited Outpatient Surgery center in Overland Park with the use of general anesthesia administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. The length of the surgery is usually a 3 to 4 hour procedure.

The Recovery

Post thigh lift, patients will be on oral narcotic pain medication for pain control and will need to wear a post surgical compression garment. Walking can be difficult in the early postoperative period, however early ambulation is recommended to prevent complications. Patients find that the use of a walker and an elevated commode device greatly help with postsurgical recovery.

With each patient recovery time can vary.  Most thigh lift patients can expect to return to work within 14 days, but expect it to take about 3 to 6 weeks before resuming normal activities. Talk to Dr. Perez before vigorous exercise.

As you heal your scar will appear redder for the first 3 to 6 months, and then fade over time. Dr. Perez will instruct you on care that can be taken to ensure that your scar heals in the best way possible.This includes massage and topical scar gel creams.

The Results

After the procedure many thigh lift patients state that they have a renewed confidence in their appearance and begin wearing clothing that they previous avoided.

Schedule an Arm Lift Consult with Dr. Perez!

For more information about arm lift, thigh lift and other body sculpting surgery options, please call 913-685-1108 to schedule a consultation at Renue Aesthetic Surgery today. You can also go to our contact us page and send us an appointment request form, Our practice serves Overland Park and the surrounding areas of Kansas.