For anyone who has gone thru with an arm lift..

Do you HAVE to also do lipo? My arms have really thinned out and what's hanging is literally just skin. I also heard that if you dont do lipo the recovery is easier, less painful and no drains.. Is any of that true? I'd love to hear anyone's experiences they may have.

I had an arm lift in October with lipo at the surgeons suggestion, as he said it was the best way to not have a fatty, disproprotinate area at the elbow post-op, so not sure how it compares to without. I only had drains in for the overnight in hopsital, they were removed before I was discharged and I had no issues with my recovery and minimal pain, it was more just uncomfortable than painful.

My arms are great in comparisson to pre-op but the surgeon has said he can go tighter again if I want a revision, but he couldn't go tighter at the time. I am not interested in a revision as the downtime is not worth it as far as I am concerned for possibly just a few cm and the scars being reopened and doing that process again. I am happy as is.

Can I ask how long you could not drive? I have a desk job in an office and I wouldn't be able to take more then a week off. How soon were you able get up and go places?

31 minutes ago, FlowerChild6200 said:

Can I ask how long you could not drive? I have a desk job in an office and I wouldn't be able to take more then a week off. How soon were you able get up and go places?

I don't drive so can't answer that.

For work I also have an office job and had they allowed me homework (they point blank refused) I could have returned to work within a few days but as work were so unflexible, and it would have meant me having to get buses and carry laptop each day, I took a 3.5 week sick cert and one week annual leave. I was ok to go out for walks around my block after the first week but I took it easy for the few weeks, just going to physio/massage or for walks as I felt like I was walking like the Michelin man with my arms out away from my sides plus if someone happened to knock against me (which did happen a few times on the buses) it was sore.

I had my arm lifts October 2024. Lipo was not part of my procedure. It was, however, the most painful of all my plastics - I do believe because as appendages away from the warmth and protection of the main body (and, my surgeon does not like compression garments for arms) - the healing journey was not pleasant, but well worth it. I'm so pleased with the results! Began lifting weights to further firm + contour arms beginning August 2025. Best wishes and much success with your new happy arms!

You don’t always need lipo with an arm lift if it’s mostly loose skin, some surgeons skip it, and yes, recovery can be a bit easier, but it really depends on your specific case.