Arm and thigh lifts are surgical procedures aimed at removing surplus skin and fatty tissue from the upper arm or thigh areas. This intervention primarily targets physical contouring, aiming to achieve a more proportionate shape.
These surgeries are particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss but are left with residual skin laxity. Rapid and substantial weight reduction often leads to excess skin that fails to conform to the body’s new contours, resulting in a loose and sagging appearance. When conventional methods such as exercise and dieting prove ineffective in addressing this issue, arm or thigh lifts serve as a medical solution and offers lasting results.
Surplus skin and fat deposits in the arms and legs can lead to conditions such as skin irritation and a higher rate of fungal infections. Arm or thigh lift surgery can relieve these symptoms, and also provide patients with highly satisfying results leading to:
In your in-person consultation you will be provided full details and insights into the options that are most suitable for your body type and lifestyle. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, gather information, and discuss your goals and expectations.
Arm lift surgery is an excellent treatment for those who experience sagging or drooping in the upper arm area due to advancing age, weight fluctuations or genetic factors, known colloquially as “bingo wings”. While exercise can strengthen and tone the underlying muscles, it cannot improve skin laxity or eliminate stubborn fat deposits that often settle in this area. An arm lift, however, can correct these issues by tightening and contouring the area.
During the procedure, an incision is made on the inner surface of the upper arm, usually from the armpit to the elbow. Excess skin is removed from the area, and the remaining skin is tightened and pulled into position to accommodate for the new contour. If the surgery is combined with liposuction, then larger amounts of fat can be removed from the area for a more holistic effect. The incision is then sutured to smoothen and define the new shape of the upper arm.
Liposuction primarily serves to remove isolated deposits of fat from the body, while the arm or thigh lift surgery aims to fundamentally reshape, tighten and contour the area. To learn more about the procedure, read our page on Liposuction. Depending on your needs and goals, it is possible to combine these procedures. You practitioner will discuss this option with you upon consultation, to assess whether it is a safe and suitable inclusion for your treatment.
The thigh lift is a highly practical way to manage loose or sagging skin around the thighs, usually the result of advancing age, loss of skin elasticity or weight loss. This treatment serves to remove excess skin and fat from the inner or outer thighs, ultimately tightening and reshaping the area to produce a well-proportioned lower body.
The procedure will vary slightly based on the area of treatment and the degree of correction. The incision will be made either on the inner or outer thigh, where excess skin will then be removed, and remaining skin will be tightened and contoured accordingly. Similar to the arm lift, this procedure can be combined with liposuction for a more comprehensive adjustment. The incision will be closed by deep sutures within the underlying tissue, which will help to support and secure the newly shaped contours.
While an arm or thigh lift is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, it can help you obtain many personal benefits. The procedure can reduce feelings of heaviness in the arms or thighs. With lighter and more manoeuvrable arms and thighs, staying active and maintaining a healthy body may be easier.
The results of the surgery should be long-lasting, so long as your weight remains at a healthy, stable level. Both arm and thigh lift surgery have demonstrated functional benefits for many patients.
Start by booking your consultation, with a $150 fee payable at the time of booking. This includes two consultations: an in-person meeting with the doctor to discuss your goals, review treatment options, and receive a procedure estimate, followed by a telehealth consultation after a two-week cooling-off period. Use this time to ask additional questions and address any concerns to ensure a complete understanding of the procedure.
If you decide to proceed with the surgery, you will be connected with our surgical team. They will provide you with all the necessary pre-operative instructions and coordinate the scheduling of your procedure.
On the day of your surgery, you’ll arrive at our clinic as scheduled. Our team will ensure you are comfortable and well cared for throughout the entire process. Post-operative care and instructions will be provided to support your recovery.
The outcomes shown here are only relevant for each patient and do not necessarily represent the results other patients may experience.
Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Arm/Thigh Lift Surgery are answered below.
An arm or thigh lift procedure is suitable for anyone who has been steadily losing weight but may require surgical assistance to achieve their final, ideal figure. After significant weight loss, many people develop loose skin in the upper arm and upper thigh areas. Sagging skin can also be the result of ageing, as the skin naturally loses volume and elasticity over time.
An arm or thigh lift is suitable for those who wish to remove this extra skin and reshape the area of concern. This surgery serves to contour and lift the skin, and is therefore suited to those who have reached, or are close to reaching, their ideal weight. Before undergoing a surgical lift, we recommend that patients attain a stable weight that they can comfortably maintain following the procedure. It is also suggested that patients maintain a reasonable level of fitness to aid with the recovery process.
This procedure is not a substitute for weight loss and is therefore unsuitable for those who are extremely overweight. This type of surgery should be the final step to achieving your ideal figure, and thus should be postponed until excess weight has been lost and a stable weight has been reached and maintained.
The arm or thigh lift procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia and IV sedation, or general anaesthesia. This will be discussed before your surgery and will depend on the preference of the patient and the expertise of the doctors.
The duration of your procedure will depend on the amount of correction you require. Arm lift surgery may take approximately 1 to 3 hours, while a thigh lift may take up to 3 hours or more, depending on the size and type of repair.
Our patients do commonly receive liposuction of the arms or thighs simultaneously with their lift. The two treatments work together to remove excess skin and focalised areas of fat, while also contouring and tightening the area to accommodate for the new shape. However, this is usually decided on a case basis. If the practitioner judges that it is safe to do so, then liposuction may be added to the treatment. This will depend on whether the patient has a safe amount of time left under the anaesthesia, and if the patient’s risk of blood clotting is relatively low. This will be discussed in your first consultation.
Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk. While it is essential to gather information on potential complications, it is equally necessary to evaluate the benefits of the treatment.
Potential complications of this surgery may include infection, bleeding, thickened scarring, seroma formation, contour irregularity, asymmetry, nerve damage and loss of sensation. While these issues are unlikely, risks associated with the procedure will be outlined in your consultation. Your practitioner will also discuss the measures that will be taken to reduce the risk of complications so that you can leave fully aware and assured of how the procedure may go.
After the procedure, you will experience some soreness, swelling or bruising, and you may not be able to stand up straight or lay flat for a while, depending on your level of discomfort. For a smooth recovery, you will need to commit to the healing phase, recovery protocols and aftercare requirements, which your practitioner will discuss with you prior to treatment.
Although the resulting scar is truly dependent upon your own body and how you normally heal, Steri-Strips can flatten scars and keep them protected in the interim (although some patients may experience irritation). After some healing and wound gaining the strength, you may wish to ask your practitioner about Silicone Sheeting. Silicone sheeting has a wonderful record in improving scars and from hindering keloids from forming.
While incisions will be sutured carefully by your practitioner, every surgical procedure will result in some scarring. The degree of scarring will depend primarily on your body and how you usually heal. Although, there are particular techniques and ways in which scars can eventually be minimised. Steri-Strips can flatten scars and keep them protected in the interim (although some patients may experience irritation). After some healing time, you may wish to ask your practitioner about silicone sheeting, which has an excellent record for improving scars and for preventing keloids from forming.
After an arm lift surgery, scars usually form at the inner side of the arm where the incision is made. While this is not visible when the arm is close to the body, scars can be seen when the arm is lifted. Similarly, a thigh lift procedure will result in scars at the inner part of the thighs, which will not be visible unless the legs are moved apart. Our practitioner will ensure that all incisions are placed carefully to reduce the amount of scarring.
Recovery time depends on the individual, but usually follows a general pattern. For the first few days, the patients may prefer to take some pain medicine, usually a mild narcotic. During this time they generally stay at home, and they cannot drive a car or operate machinery. Near the one-week mark, when they are on milder medicine, they can start light exercise, such as walking, treadmill, stationary bike, but not impact exercises like running or aerobics.
The point at which work can be resumed depends upon how the work activities fit into the progression of recovery and this is individualised. We often recommend that an Compression garment be worn for varying lengths of time.
At My Cosmetic Clinic, consultations for surgical treatments cost $150, due to their in-depth and detailed nature.
These consultations involve a one-to-one in-person discussion with your practitioner who will educate you on all matters of the desired procedure. Patients will have the opportunity to their Practitioner all their questions and will gain full insight into how the surgery will be performed and the requirements associated.
Yes, it is possible for the arm and thigh lift surgery to be performed together. However, your Practitioner will discuss this with you in your consultation and will assess whether it is safe to do so.
Recovery time after the treatment depends on the individual. Generally, patients will receive pain medicine for the first few days after the procedure, in which time patients stay at home and are unable to operate machinery or drive.
One week after the surgery, when medicine is milder, patients can begin light exercise, such as walking or stationary cycling, but must avoid impact exercises, namely running or aerobics.
Returning to work will depend on how work activity fits into the progression of recovery. Since this is individualised, this will be discussed directly with your practitioner. For some patients, we often recommend wearing a compression garment for a little while after the procedure, depending on how recovery is progressing.
Dr Masood Ansari
(MED0000942278)
AACS, MBBS, MSC, MRCS, FACCS
Dr Ansari has worked in both the northern and southern hemispheres. He began his initial surgical training in the United Kingdom under the National Health Service and went on to obtain membership in the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) in 2006. He then carried out extensive training in cosmetic surgery in Australia where he was granted a fellowship from the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery.
The cost of treatment will vary depending on if you are combining it with other procedures on other areas of your body. Before we perform any procedures we will provide you with a comprehensive quote so you know exactly how much you will be paying.
Find out more about pricing here.
My Cosmetic Clinic is the first cosmetic clinic in Australia to achieve accreditation against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This reflects our commitment to the highest standards of safety and quality in health care.
The NSQHS Standards are the benchmark for excellence in healthcare safety, ensuring that every patient receives care in a safe, high-quality environment. Achieving this accreditation underscores our dedication to maintaining the utmost professionalism in all our medical procedures.
Patient safety is our top priority, and we continually strive to meet and exceed these rigorous standards to ensure that every aspect of our practice is aligned with the best possible healthcare outcomes.
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