The latest trend in plastic surgery? Women are having their arms reshaped via surgery. Arm lift surgery, or brachioplasty, is the surgical removal of excess skin and fat on the upper arms that can be the result of weight fluctuations, aging, or heredity. According to a recent article by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS), this surgical procedure has increased by over 4,000% since 2000.
What are the reasons for this trend? First, an online survey of over 1,200 women conducted by the ASPS discovered, “… women are paying closer attention to the arms of female celebrities.” The most admired celebrities are First Lady Michelle Obama and actors Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Biel, Demi Moore and talk show host Kelly Ripa.
Also, more people are undergoing weight–loss surgeries such as gastric bypass or lap band operations. While exercise can strengthen the muscles, it will not remove the resulting excess skin and fat.
Who is a good candidate for arm lifts? An online article by the ASPS concerning brachioplasty cites the following traits of good candidates:
- Adults with significant upper arm skin laxity
- Adults of any age whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweight
- Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
