Fat and excess skin can often gather in a specific area of the body, making it difficult to help reduce either with traditional weight loss methods. However, some procedures, including arm lifts, thigh lights, and body lifts, along with diet and exercise,can help you remove these stubborn problem areas.

Brachioplasty (Arm Lift)

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove loose skin and excess fat deposits in the upper arm. With age, upper arm skin can become loose and flabby. Many patients who have experienced a significant weight loss are left with stretched, loose, hanging skin in their arms. As a result of excess hanging arm skin, patients find themselves uncomfortable with their appearance and limited in their choice of clothing and activities.

An arm lift may enable patients to tighten this skin and look as good as they feel. If you desire to wear short sleeves with comfort and exercise without friction under your arms, then an arm lift may be the beginning to an improved appearance and greater self-confidence.

The Procedure

An arm lift is performed through incisions placed in the under arm and biceps groove along the inner aspect of the upper arm. The excess skin and fat is removed to improve the contour and firm the skin of the entire area extending to the elbow. The procedure length will vary between 2-3 hours based on the extent of lift required. It is usually performed as an outpatient surgery in an accredited surgery facility. Rarely, you may require an overnight stay depending on your overall health.

Thigh Lift

Many patients who have experienced a significant weight gain followed by weight loss are left with stretched, loose, hanging skin in the thigh and buttock region. An increase in skin laxity also occurs as a result of the aging process due to both genetic and environmental factors. As a result of excess hanging skin, patients find themselves limited in their activities, clothing choices and uncomfortable with their appearance. If you are one of those patients who has the desire to wear shorts with comfort and bicycle (or simply walk) without having friction between your legs then a thigh lift may be a new beginning for you.

The Procedure

A medial thigh lift is performed through incisions placed in the natural groin crease. The excess skin is removed and the tissues are lifted to improve the contour and smooth the skin of the area below it extending to the knees. For excessive skin removal it may be necessary to have a scar running from your groin crease to the knee. The procedure length will vary (average 3-4 hours) based on your body habitus and the extent of lift required. It is usually performed as an outpatient surgery in an accredited surgery facility. Occasionally it may require an overnight stay depending on your overall health and the extent of the surgery.

Body Lift

A body lift improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin. Excess sagging fat and skin are removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity.

If you desire a firmer, more youthful-looking body contour, then a surgical body lift may help achieve your goals. It improves the shape and tone of the underlying tissue that supports fat and skin.

Excess sagging fat and skin are removed to treat conditions caused in part by poor tissue elasticity. In addition, the procedure(s) can improve a dimpled, irregular skin surface, commonly known as cellulite. A body lift may include these areas:

* Abdominal area, locally or extending around the sides and into the lower back area

* Buttocks, that may be low, flat or shaped unevenly

* Groin that may sag into the inner thigh

* Thigh, including the inner, outer, or posterior thigh, or circumferentially