Brachioplasty is needed if you have 2 inches or more of pendulous hanging skin with your arm extended. This procedure involves cutting out extra skin. It leaves a carefully placed scar that is hard to see unless your arm is lifted overhead. This procedure gives the best correction, especially in patients who have had massive weight loss. Recovery is about a week, but we recommend wearing a compression garment for several weeks in order to minimize scarring.
RF-assisted liposuction utilizes the Inmode BodyTite device, J Plasma, or a combination. It is chosen if the pendulous skin measures two inches or less. In this procedure, tumescent fluid is infused, and some liposuction is performed. Dr. Duncan uses a circumferential technique to tighten the skin around the entire arm. This helps to avoid wrinkly skin at the base of the arm. A compression garment is worn for several weeks, but patients can return to work within a couple of days.
Why would regular liposuction not work since it costs less? Dr. Duncan conducted research on this topic and found that traditional suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) can generate skin shrinkage of approximately 8% at one year postoperatively, as measured with a Canfield Vectra computerized system. Laser-assisted liposuction can reduce skin by approximately 13-17%. She chooses radiofrequency as an energy source because skin tightening using this device measured 36% at one year post-op. Most patients need more than just a minor amount of skin tightening.
