Will Liposuction Get Rid of My Bat Wings?
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Hanging upper arm skin, often referred to as “bat wings,” can be extremely frustrating. Not only is loose arm skin virtually impossible to tighten on your own, but it can also be particularly difficult – and even uncomfortable – to conceal beneath clothing. Many patients mistakenly seek out liposuction to reduce flabby upper arms. While liposuction can certainly help remove stubborn fat and slim down the arms, patients with loose, hanging bat wings can benefit more from arm lift surgery to reduce excess skin and sculpt a new arm shape. At Omar Ahmed, M.D. in Pasadena, CA, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgical specialist Dr. Omar Ahmed helps patients achieve more slender, tighter, youthful-looking arms they can feel confident about through arm lift surgery. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how arm lift surgery works and why it may be a better option than liposuction for creating the contours you desire.
What causes bat wings?
A common misconception regarding bat wings is that they are comprised primarily of fat. In reality, hanging skin is most often responsible for the flabby appearance of bat wings. Saggy skin on the upper arms is often the result of extreme weight loss, though it can also be a natural side effect of the aging process. As the skin loses its elasticity, it can begin to hang down from the arms, giving patients bat wings.
Which procedure fixes bat wings?
Because loose skin – rather than fat – is primarily responsible for bat wings on the upper arms, liposuction is not likely to be effective on its own. Instead, arm lift surgery offers patients the best opportunity to rid themselves of excess arm skin and achieve a slimmer, tighter look. Oftentimes, however, liposuction is performed in conjunction with arm lift surgery to address any pockets of stubborn fat that may be present, further adding to the smooth and slender shape that results.
How does arm lift surgery work?
During arm lift surgery, Dr. Ahmed will create an incision on the upper arm, through which loose skin will be excised. Depending on the amount of skin that needs to be removed, Dr. Ahmed will utilize one of the following types of arm lift incisions:
- Long incision: runs along the inside of the arm from the elbow to the armpit, allowing for the greatest amount of skin removal possible
- Crescent incision: placed in the underarm for minimal visible scarring
If needed, Dr. Ahmed will then perform liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat. Finally, the remaining skin will be pulled taut and secured with sutures for a sleek and sexy new arm shape.
Will I have scars after bat wing removal?
Patients considering arm lift surgery should understand that some amount of scarring is unavoidable. However, Dr. Ahmed understands the importance of keeping visible scarring to a minimum and takes great care to place arm lift incisions within the natural lines and contours of the body, allowing them to be concealed as much as possible. Generally speaking, a long incision arm lift will result in more visible scarring than a crescent arm lift, though the scars are rarely visible when a patient’s arms are at their sides. Even with some level of scarring, the vast majority of patients agree that their dramatically improved look is well worth it.
Reshape your arms and restore your confidence with arm lift surgery in Pasadena, CA
If you are tired of trying to hide your bat wings, arm contouring surgery can help. To learn more about the life-changing results that may be possible for you with arm lift surgery in Pasadena, CA, call Omar Ahmed, M.D. today to schedule your one-on-one consultation with acclaimed board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgical specialist Dr. Omar Ahmed.