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Considering Arm Lift Surgery for “Flagging” Arms?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) releases an annual report on aesthetic procedures and trends, but between reports, they conduct regular polls to stay abreast of changing areas of patient interest. While it is no surprise that non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®, have seen significant growth and surgical procedures, such as breast augmentation, continue to remain at the top, one procedure has seen a sudden spike in interest in recent years and the numbers continue to grow.

Arm lift surgery is far from the top of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures, but interest has grown over the last couple of years and continues to rise. Last year more than 15,000 women sought arm lift surgery as a way to add firmness and shape to upper arms. Women are paying more attention to how lean, shapely arms compliment clothing and contribute to a more vibrant, athletic appearance. Think of First Lady Michelle Obama and all the comments about her bare arms – and how good her bare arms look! But there is more to the increase in arm lift procedures than imitation.

As obesity has become our nation’s most significant health risk, more of us are left with stretched and sagging skin as we slim down or as we age. Additionally, weight loss surgery has increased significantly over the last 20 years, allowing formerly obese people to return to a more healthy weight – but many are still carrying that stretched and sagging skin. In the early 1990’s, approximately 16,000 people had undergone some sort of weight loss surgery. According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), by 2008, that number had jumped to over 200,000 annual procedures. Since arms are so visible, cosmetic arm procedures have increased as a result.

And then there’s age. . . the “baby boomer” generation is finding that loss of youthful skin elasticity is causing an unattractive shape. In slang terms, upper arms are “flying the flag” every time we raise an arm to wave or reach – or even give a hug. Many healthy “boomers” are unwilling to wear long sleeves or cover their shoulders when an arm lift surgery can give them firm shapely arms.

Whether patients are looking to have the arms of a favorite celebrity, complete their weight loss transformation, or fight back against the signs of aging, arm lift surgery is becoming a popular option. If you have always wished to have the excess skin removed from your arms, or if you simply wanted more definition, now may be a great time to schedule a consultation with Pinsky Plastic Surgery and find out more about this advanced procedure!