Arms can be a notorious problem zone for many people. Too much fat, too much wiggle, wrinkly skin; there are many things patients aim to improve. Thankfully board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom in Chicago, IL has a number of customizable solutions to address the areas of the arm that you find unsettling. Despite our best efforts to tighten and enhance our arms with a healthy diet and regular exercise, pockets of fatty tissue and loose skin can be impossible to eliminate on your own. Brachioplasty, liposuction, BodyTite and radiofrequency microneedling can all be used in customized treatment plans to target your arms to reveal the sleek, toned, arms of you have been dreaming of!*

What options exist for enhancing my arms?

• Brachioplasty – A brachioplasty is a procedure that removes excess skin through a well hidden incision on the inside portion of your arm. This is reserved for patients with significant skin laxity and adiposity, typically seen with age or after massive weight loss (>50 pounds). A brachioplasty requires a trip to the operating room for IV or general anesthesia. The procedure lasts around 2 hours and yields significant results that can not be achieved but minimally or non-invasive modalities. In addition to removing unwanted skin, Dr Bloom will utilize a technique that helps In the right patients this can be combined with limited liposuction to further enhance the surgical results.
• BodyTite – For patients with mild to moderate skin and soft tissue laxity in their arms a combination of BodyTite and liposuction can yield incredible results. This form of minimally invasive surgery can be performed safely in our office procedure room under oral sedation and local anesthesia. This means no need for general anesthesia! In select cases, BodyTite can also be combined with other procedures in the operating room when patients are looking for full body sculpting. BodyTite is a breakthrough technology that uses Radio-Frequency to heat tissue and skin in a controlled and safe fashion. This helps melt fat, contract the fibro-septal network that contributes to sagging and tighten skin. BodyTite is almost always accompanied by liposuction to remove the unwanted fatty tissue and speed up the recovery process. Radiofrequency used by the InMode platform coagulates small blood vessels decreasing post-op bruising and swelling when compared to liposuction alone. While some immediate results will be seen, final results are typically appreciated at 6-9 months after treatment.
• Liposuction – For patients without skin laxity liposuction alone can remove the unwanted fat that creates bulkiness or unwanted bulges in the arms, Liposuction works by gently using vacuum pressure to remove excess fat cells in the target zones. A cannula, a thin, hollow tube, is inserted under the skin through a small incision. The fat cells are inundated with tumescent fluid which makes them expand and stiffen, enabling them to be suctioned out of the body. The fluid also helps reduce discomfort by introducing local anesthetic while minimizing bleeding and bruising. Once the fat cells are removed from the body, they cannot grow back. However, weight gain after liposuction is still possible because remaining cells continue to grow and expand. It is critical to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime and avoid weight gain to maintain long-term results.
• Morpheus 8 (Radiofrequency Microneedling) – This can be used as a standalone procedure to help eliminate crepe paper like skin of the arms or combined with Brachioplasty, BodyTite, or Liposuction to generate excellent results that you will want to show off. Radiofrequency microneedling, offered with Morpheus 8, is a fractional skin treatment that stimulates collagen production of the underlying layers of the skin called the dermis. By targeting the deeper layers of the skin, tissues of the face and body can be remodeled to reveal a firmer radiant youthful appearance. Radiofrequency (RF) energy is a scientifically proven method to remodel and rebuild collagen. It is minimally invasive, using a matrix of micro pins to renew the deeper layers of the skin with almost no patient downtime. Morpheus8 can be used on any area that can benefit from resurfacing and subdermal renewal. Prior to treatment Dr. Bloom will discuss how many sessions will likely be required to achieve your desired results. In general, Dr. Bloom typically performs three sessions spaced out 4-8 weeks. Some results will be seen within a month of treatment and final results are seen about 6 months after the completion of a treatment series. Patients can then choose to undergo booster sessions 1 -2 times a year as desired to maintain results.

While the number of options can seem, at times, overwhelming, Dr. Bloom and his staff will walk you through each step of the consultation and surgical process. This will help to ensure that you understand all of your options, the benefits and risks of each one, and how each option will impact your final results. This will help set your expectations ensure that your surgery results in the defined look you desire.

Planning your recovery after brachioplasty

Brachioplasty is a powerful body contouring option but special care must be taken in the post-operative period to maximize final results. When combined with liposuction the procedure takes about 2 hours. Absorbable sutures will be placed in multiple layers to minimize scar visibility. In most cases drainage tubes are used for several days to minimize swelling and fluid collection. Compression garments are also placed and worn for the first several weeks to expedite the healing process. Most patients require a few days of prescription pain medication to aid in their recovery process and lifting restrictions are recommended for 4-6 weeks. A brachioplasty operation trades “skin for scar”, Dr. Bloom will help you navigate the scar management process to optimize your results.

BodyTite and Liposuction are also great options in the right candidate. While they can be performed in the office, it is still a surgical procedure and involves the potential for risk and complications. The combination BodyTite and liposuction procedure usually lasts about 1-2 hours, and is performed as an outpatient procedure under, local, IV sedation or general anesthesia. First Dr. Bloom will numb the area using local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort. Following this the BodyTite handpiece will be used to bring internal and external tissue temperatures to the point at which they contract and shrink. Once the area has been uniformly treated, Dr. Bloom will remove unwanted and melted fat with standard liposuction. Safety and your comfort are of the utmost importance when deciding where the procedure is performed. Small areas can successfully be safely and comfortably completed with oral sedatives and local anesthetic in our office procedure room. While larger body areas or patients that want to treat multiple areas at a single session may be better suited for a trip to the operating room. After the procedure, treated areas will be dressed with a compression garment to prevent post-op fluid collection. The most common side effects after a BodyTite procedure are moderate discomfort, bruising and some swelling. In addition to compression and activity restrictions, Dr. Bloom will prescribe pain medication to help alleviate discomfort. Most patients find they need about a week of downtime before returning to light activities; all patients should avoid strenuous activity for at least four to six weeks to allow all swelling to subside and ensure complete healing.

The Morpheus procedure usually lasts about 30-60 minutes, and is performed as an office procedure under topical anesthesia. In addition to strong topical anesthesia, Dr. Bloom offers ProNox to help ease patient’s pain and anxiety. Pronox provides a 50/50 mixture of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen and is an effective analgesic that provides quick pain relief and recovery. The handheld device puts the patient in control of administering the analgesic when they feel like they need it. During a Morpheus treatment, Dr. Bloom will address the skin at several different depths to maximize results. Once the area has been uniformly treated, Dr. Bloom will apply an antimicrobial silver solution followed by a laser balm which the patient will continue for 1-2 days after treatment. Patients should expect to see micro lesions a few days after treatment and slight redness depending on treatment parameters. Patients should also moisturize the treatment area and avoid direct sun exposure. It is also recommended that patients use a broad spectrum sunscreen every day. In addition to reducing the risk of skin cancer, sunscreens also slow the aging process.The most common side effects after an Morpheus 8 procedure are some mild bruising and some swelling for 24-48 hours. Most patients find they need about a day of social downtime for all swelling and redness to subside. Homeopathic Arnica Montana can be used to to reduce any bruising or swelling that occurs.

*Individual results may vary. Results not guaranteed.

Why Choose Dr. Bloom?

Why select Chicago-native Dr. Jacob Bloom as your cosmetic surgeon? Because you shouldn’t trust something as important as your appearance to just anyone! When you choose Dr. Bloom, you are choosing a warm and caring surgeon whom you can trust to make your health, your comfort, and your beauty his number one priority!

Lead plastic surgeon at Bloom Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL, Dr. Jacob Bloom is Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His extensive knowledge of today’s advanced surgical techniques, coupled with his years of medical training in New York and Harvard University, allow him to create customized treatment plans that can match the unique goals of each and every patient, while delivering long-lasting results that will subtly—yet still dramatically—enhance your natural beauty.

If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your arms with a Brachioplasty (arm lift) with Dr. Bloom, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule your consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you!