Arm liposuction

Arm liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery aimed at removing excess fat deposits in the arm area to achieve a slimmer appearance. This method is particularly effective for those who want to improve the contours of their arms and remove areas resistant to diet and exercise. The procedure usually takes from 1 to 2 hours and is performed under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the volume of work and patient preference. During the operation, the surgeon makes small incisions through which a special instrument is inserted to suction the fat. This minimally invasive procedure usually requires a short recovery time, allowing patients to quickly return to daily life. The results of arm liposuction are typically long-lasting, especially if a stable weight and healthy lifestyle are maintained.

Typically, during arm liposuction, one can remove from 800 to 1,500 ml of fat.

Possible arm liposuction areas include the inner arm, outer arm, front and back parts of the armpit area, deep armpit area, shoulder blades, and collarbones.

Brief information about the surgery

• Duration of operation: 1.5 – 2 hours

• Type of anesthesia: Sedation and local anesthesia; general anesthesia for individuals weighing over 100 kg

• Hospitalization: 2-3 hours

• Return to normal life: The next day

• Clinic visits: 2-3 times

• Stitches removal: 7-14 days

Why do patients consider arm liposuction?

Patients often consider arm liposuction for several reasons:

• Improving appearance: Arm liposuction helps reduce volume and make arms thinner. This is particularly relevant for people who feel self-conscious about the size of their arms and want to wear sleeveless clothes without embarrassment.

• Achieving more toned arms: Even with regular exercise, some people cannot get rid of fat deposits in the arm area. Liposuction can help make the muscles in the arms more visible and defined.

• Creating a more proportional body appearance: For some patients, the arms may appear disproportionately large compared to the rest of the body, especially after significant weight loss. Liposuction helps make the arms more proportional. However, if there are noticeable excess skin, it’s best to combine liposuction with body skin lifting, which you can read more about here.

• Long-term results: Arm liposuction can provide long-term results with the maintenance of stable weight. This can motivate patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle post-procedure.

Who is suitable for the surgery?

The ideal candidate for arm liposuction is someone with fat deposits in the upper part of the arms or armpit area, good skin tone and elasticity, and in good physical, mental, and emotional health without active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions. The candidate should have realistic expectations of the procedure’s outcomes.

Why South Korea?

South Korea annually conducts the highest number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries in the world. Local doctors are among the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons in the country. The medical equipment and technology in Korea are on par with the United States and Germany, placing it in the top three countries for the best technical equipment in clinics.

All liposuction surgeries are performed in accredited clinics authorized to work with international patients and staffed with anesthesiologists. All surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in liposuction, and do not operate on more than two patients per day. Fill out the form so we can calculate the cost of treatment for you, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a travel plan to South Korea for the operation.

How to prepare for liposuction in South Korea

• Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.

• Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including drugs like Advil or Motrin), and other medications that may increase the risk of heavy bleeding for two weeks before the operation. Tylenol is prohibited only during the 3 days before the operation.

• Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down the healing process of tissues. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend quitting before the surgery. Some doctors refuse to operate on smoking patients due to a high risk of complications. It’s unsafe to be around smoking relatives and friends or in public smoking areas.

• Review your medical history. Be ready to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any surgeries you have undergone. Tell about any medications you are taking or have taken recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.

• Visit the surgeon for an examination and show him photos of the desired result. When selecting them, try to choose those where the patient’s physique is similar to yours.

• If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. If not, we will perform all necessary tests in Korea.

• Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the operation if you plan to come by car.

• Place items you might need during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or a mobile phone, next to your bed.

How liposuction is performed

• Before taking the patient to the operating room, the surgeon draws a design on the body. Don’t worry about the marker traces remaining on the skin – after the operation, nurses will wipe down the liposuction area with warm towels.

• Before the operation begins, the patient is taken to the restroom, asked about their well-being, and the last time they had food and water, then laid on the operating table. A catheter is inserted into the leg, through which medications used before anesthesia are administered. The surgical area is disinfected, and the hands and legs are secured with straps to minimize the possibility of the patient moving during sleep. Blood pressure is measured, the anesthesiologist administers a sedative solution, and checks the patient’s condition.

• After the medication takes effect and the patient falls asleep, the surgeon administers a pain relief injection (usually, in the buttock) and begins the operation. A medical solution is injected under the skin to turn solid subcutaneous fat into a liquid, and after a few minutes, it begins to be suctioned out using a cannula.

• After completing the fat suction procedure, the edges of the incisions (2-4mm) are stitched, the area is dried with towels, the patient is awakened, and helped to move to a room for further rest and recovery.

What to expect after

• After the operation, the translator and nurses will wake you up and help you move to the room. Most patients don’t remember this moment and feel as if they woke up in a warm bed – such is the effect of anesthesia.

• In the first 10-20 minutes after waking up, you may feel chills, which will quickly pass. A warm mattress is placed on your bed to make this period more comfortable. There will be almost no pain, dulled by the pain relief injections and medications used during the operation. You will be offered to rest, drink orange juice, and eat porridge to recover faster.

• An hour after waking up, you need to stand and walk for 5-10 minutes in the clinic corridors – you will feel discomfort similar to muscle stretching after a workout, but walking will help you adapt to the symptoms and understand your condition post-operation. If you do not experience symptoms like nausea and dizziness, the clinic staff will start preparing you for discharge – you can change clothes, put on compression garments, take medications and recommendations, and go home.

• Every time you move and strain the area where the operation was performed, you will feel discomfort similar to muscle pain, but there will be no pain at rest, and the body will recover within 5-7 days.

Recovery process and procedures after arm liposuction

Immediately after the procedure: There are no pain sensations at rest, and medical fluid may leak from the stitches (don’t be alarmed by its red color). You can leave the clinic 1-3 hours after the operation, provided there are no symptoms such as nausea, weakness, or dizziness.

Days 1-2: The operated area begins to swell, and bruises may appear. Active movements cause discomfort. Try to move and walk as much as possible: it helps reduce swelling and speed up recovery.

Days 3-7: Swelling reaches its peak and gradually starts to decrease. Bruises (if present) begin to yellow. Both swelling and bruises may descend below the operated area – from thighs to knees, knees to calves, armpits to elbows or chest. Do not be alarmed, this is a natural rehabilitation process.

Days 7-14: Swelling decreases, possible bruises disappear, and you return to normal life. The surgeon removes the stitches, and you can start showering without using waterproof patches. Regular long walks are recommended for faster recovery. Do not forget to apply healing ointment to dissolve the stitches, making the fact of the operation almost unnoticeable soon.

Days 14-21: Patients perform daily activities without discomfort. Intense workouts and physical exercises should still be avoided. Compression garments can be temporarily removed.

Days 21-30: Swelling decreases, and the new shape of the liposuction area gradually appears.

Days 31-60: Residual swelling gradually subsides, symmetry is restored. You can start doing sports, swimming in the sea or pool.

Days 60-90: Swelling completely subsides, and rehabilitation gradually concludes.

6 months post-operation: Full completion of rehabilitation.