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Flabby-looking upper arms, or “bat wings,” as they’re often referred to, is a problem that plagues many of us as we get older. It’s also common among those who have lost a significant amount of weight. In my last post, I highlighted what is perhaps the most effective procedure for remedying “bat wings”: brachioplasty, more commonly known as an arm lift.

When it’s performed in combination with liposuction, an arm lift removes excess fat and tightens loose skin, recontouring the upper arm—and shaving years off your appearance in the process. Here, I’ll get into how exactly that’s accomplished, and what the recovery looks like.

What the surgery entails

While it’s generally performed as an outpatient surgery, an arm lift requires general anesthesia. Once you’re under, your plastic surgeon will make an incision along the inside of your upper arm. The length and pattern of the incision will depend on how much skin will be removed. If you’ve ever had a piece of clothing tailored, an arm lift is essentially akin to that. The tailor places a seam, or a dart, to take in the excess fabric. Your surgeon’s doing the same here with the incision.

If you’re having liposuction done, too, that’ll come next. And then your surgeon will tighten the underlying tissue in your arm and secure it with stitches. Using a scalpel or cautery tool, they’ll then remove a certain amount of skin from your upper arm and suture the incisions closed.

You’ll be monitored for a few hours following the procedure. Once the anesthesia’s worn off, you’ll be able to go home. Plan to have someone drive you and be available to help for the first day or so.

New arms, new you

Your arms are likely going to feel tight for the first three to four days after the surgery. Patients usually reference that more than they do any pain. You’ll be prescribed pain medication that will help alleviate both. You also may be sent home with compression sleeves, which will help with the swelling.

If you had surgical drains placed near your incisions to help your arms heal, your plastic surgeon will remove them at a follow-up appointment about a week after your surgery. You’ll likely be asked to continue wearing the compression sleeves for three weeks and to limit your range of motion with your arms for a week or two. It’s a good idea to plan on being out of work for a couple of weeks.

The silver lining: You should notice a dramatic difference in your arms right away. Even with the swelling that will follow the surgery, your upper arms will look slimmer and toned. And that’s only going to improve over the weeks ahead as the swelling subsides.

With a balanced diet and a consistent exercise regimen, those results will be long-lasting.

Many would probably say that their hands betray their age. They typically receive as much exposure to the sun as our faces, but we devote a lot less self-care to the them. (Anti-aging creams and skin-care serums aren’t cheap, after all.)

But I’d venture to say that even more of us are self-conscious about the varying degrees of excess fat and loose skin that began to appear on the underside of our upper arms sometime during our forties and only seems to have worsened since, no matter how much we tighten the screws on our diets and exercise routines.

Unfortunately, we’re waging a losing battle. As we age, the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins that help our skin stay plump, firm, and smooth, slows down, which results in areas of lax, aging skin. We usually notice it first on our faces and necks, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Similarly, our metabolism also slows with age, making it harder to shed pockets of unwanted fat.

That said, with the right tools, there are ways to regain the upper hand over Mother Nature—and shave years off your appearance in the process. One of the most effective among them is a procedure called a brachioplasty, more commonly known as an arm lift. Usually performed as an outpatient surgery, an arm lift permanently recontours the upper arm, tightening loose skin that stems from aging or a significant weight-loss.

The surgery is often combined with liposuction to remove excess fat and give arms a more toned look. The reason why liposuction alone isn’t enough to remedy so-called “bat wings” is because it doesn’t address sagging skin. To achieve a successful result with just liposuction, you need skin that’s essentially going to shrink-wrap itself once the fat’s removed. In order to do that, the skin needs to be thick, young, and have minimal sun damage and stretch marks. Which, of course, is asking a lot.

If you can check all those boxes, a less invasive procedure, like CoolSculpting, may be a better fit for you.

There are also a number of minimally-invasive treatments that address loose, sagging skin, such as radiofrequency tightening, but they generally don’t yield the dramatic results that surgical procedures, like an arm lift, do. And that’s because the surgical procedures remove some skin in order to recontour the area.

I’ll discuss what exactly happens during an arm lift, as well as what the recovery’s like, in my next post. In the meantime, as you continue to read up on arm lifts, look for board-certified plastic surgeons who offer both surgical and non-surgical solutions. Universal as “bat wings” may be, you deserve to have a treatment plan tailored to your particular needs and goals.

You’re feeling pretty sure that a tummy tuck’s a good fit for you after reading my last post. (A little uncertainty’s natural. That’ll work itself out during the consultation, as you get to know your plastic surgeon.) Let’s unpack, then, what exactly the procedure entails, how you should expect to feel afterward, and what you’ll ultimately look like.

What happens during the procedure

Generally, the procedure’s performed under general anesthesia, though it also depends on the complexity of the surgery. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of being asleep, discuss your options with your surgeon beforehand. Either way, it’s considered an outpatient procedure, which means that you’ll go home after a few hours of monitoring following the surgery.

During the procedure, your surgeon will make a horizontal incision just within or above your pubic area. If you have loose skin above your belly button, a second incision may be made around it. They’ll then separate the skin and underlying tissue from the muscles up to your rib cage and repair your abdominal muscles.

The skin and tissue above your abdominal muscles are then pulled down, the excess is trimmed, and the remaining skin is sutured together at the site of the initial incision. (It’ll be easily concealed.) A new opening is created for the belly button, which is then anchored to your abdominal wall. And any excess fat around the new opening is removed, creating the “innie” look.

Most surgeons use dissolvable sutures, which won’t need to be removed. It’s also likely that your surgeon will place surgical drains (clear plastic tubes) to keep fluid from building up in and around the incision as it heals. A drainless tummy tuck is another option. It refers to a suturing method that restricts fluid accumulation. Ask your surgeon about it during your consultation.

How you’ll feel afterward

You may already have encountered some descriptions of the recovery from a tummy tuck elsewhere online. Everyone experiences pain and heals a little bit differently, so it’s important not to assume that one person’s experience will necessarily match your own. Plus, internet rabbit holes rarely offer any reassurance. That said, a tummy tuck is a significant surgery. You should plan to dedicate around four to six weeks to your recovery, and that includes a couple of weeks of initial bed rest.

You’re not going to be able to stand up straight for about a week, and you shouldn’t force it. Many women who’ve had a C-section have equated it to the same sensation. It’s important to enter into a tummy tuck with the mindset that this is you beginning a new chapter. The first few days after your surgery are going to be uncomfortable, but there’s so much of your story still to be written after that.

Setting your expectations

You’re going to notice a dramatic change in the shape of your body right after the surgery, even though the true extent will be obscured by some swelling. Let that be the motivation that carries you through the coming weeks.

As the swelling starts to subside and you begin to feel more comfortable moving around, you’ll get a truer sense of the outcome. Your final results should come into focus within a few months, when the surgery and recovery will be distant memories.

Even more, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can expect the results of your tummy tuck to last well into the foreseeable future.

As the news broke that the stay-at-home restrictions were being lifted in Wuhan, China, after nearly three months, there was this detail: “Mountains of cardboard boxes sprouted up outside of apartment complexes as online shopping picks up,” read an article by The New York Times. “And more people are treating themselves,” shifting from buying daily necessities to buying clothing, cosmetics, and travel accessories.

The idea of rewarding ourselves in some way at the end of all of this feels too good to resist. For some, that may mean booking the vacation you were hesitant to commit to just a few weeks ago. For others, it could take the form of some overdue self-care, such as a spa retreat or even that tummy tuck that felt a bit self-indulgent before quarantine but now seems entirely appropriate.

If you’ve been following along, you’ve noted that liposuction is as popular as ever, even with the emergence of non-invasive fat-reducing treatments. And that’s because none of them can yet compete with liposuction’s dramatic results. But liposuction doesn’t address excess skin. Enter the tummy tuck.

What it does

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that trims the waistline and creates a smoother, firmer abdominal profile by removing excess skin and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.

There are a number of variations to the tummy tuck, which allow it to be tailored to your particular needs. But the traditional (or full) procedure entails removing excess (or sagging) skin from above and below the belly button and pulling the remaining skin and muscles tight. It’s often combined with liposuction.

You may also have heard of a “mommy makeover.” Again, there’s a lot of variation here, but almost every mommy makeover includes at least a tummy tuck and breast augmentation or a breast lift because they tend to address the most common concerns following pregnancy. And there’s this: Aside from sculpting the midsection, a tummy tuck may also reduce or remove stretch marks from the lower abdomen, as well as C-section scars.

Is it right for you?

So, who’s a good candidate for a tummy tuck? Sit up tall and reach down and lift up the bottom of your shirt. If you have hanging skin, you’re a good candidate.

Now, while you can expect to lose a few pounds during a tummy tuck, it’s not a weight-loss treatment. Ideally, you should be within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight. If you’re not, ask your plastic surgeon whether liposuction is a good fit for you.

Also, while it’s safe to have a tummy tuck before having kids, it’s not advisable. Pregnancy is likely to stretch out your skins and muscles and basically undo everything the tummy tuck did. Plus, if you wait until you’re done having kids, there’s this added benefit, according to a 2018 study: Any back pain and urinary incontinence you may experience should improve following a tummy tuck because stability’s been restored to your abdominal and pelvic areas.

The bottom line: No other procedure will tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin with the same effectiveness as a tummy tuck.

The “Quarantine 15” is real. We’ve all been under a ton of stress over the last few weeks. And, with precious few ways to process it, many of us are turning to the fridge or the pantry, again and again.

It’s important to remember, though, that this situation is temporary. I say that not only to offer hope during a challenging time but as a reminder that these shelter-at-home restrictions will eventually lift. When we return to a life beyond sweatpants and yoga pants, do you want to be saddled with your “Quarantine 15,” or perhaps even more? Of course not.

Enter liposuction, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that removes excess fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, butt, arms, and neck and, in the process, contours the body.

Starting fresh

Liposuction continues to grow in popularity—it was the second-most performed cosmetic surgical procedure in 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—even as nonsurgical fat-reduction treatments have become one of the fastest-growing segments of cosmetic plastic surgery. And that’s because only liposuction has the ability to provide patients with dramatic results after only one session.

Using a thin tube called a cannula, a board-certified plastic surgeon can remove stubborn pockets of fat through tiny incisions in much larger volumes than is possible with nonsurgical treatments. The surgeon can also contour the body as the fat is removed and transfer the fat, after it’s been purified, to other areas to add fullness.

In 2018 alone, 1.7 million liposuction procedures were performed worldwide, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In many of those cases, people simply wanted to fit in their clothes a little better and feel a bit younger in the process. But, shedding a significant amount of weight so quickly also tends to have the effect of kickstarting a healthier lifestyle. Imagine coming out of quarantine with a chance to start fresh.

Finding the right surgeon

As with any type of cosmetic surgical procedure, finding a qualified plastic surgeon is critical to achieving your desired results.

For starters, look for a plastic surgeon who’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Physicians who pursue cosmetic surgery can have varied backgrounds. And it’s not always a given that they include formal plastic surgery training in an accredited program. However, an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon is required to complete a residency specifically for plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Beyond that, use experience as a filter. Find a plastic surgeon who’s not only been practicing for at least 10 years but who’s been performing this particular procedure for much of that time. That’ll ensure that they understand the nuances of the procedure and can tailor the treatment to your particular needs and wants.

In my last post, I discussed the dramatic effect that liposuction can have on shedding (or transferring) excess fat. Here, I’ll get into what exactly the procedure entails, what the recovery’s like, and how long you can expect the results from liposuction to last.

How it works

There are several variations on the technique, each aimed at reducing tissue damage and shortening recovery time, but the most traditional—and widely-performed—form of liposuction is called tumescent liposuction. With this particular technique, the plastic surgeon makes one or more small incisions (a quarter inch or less) in the targeted area and injects a mixture of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the tissue. The fluid will make the fat easier to remove. It also will constrict the blood vessels, which will help minimize bruising, blood loss, and recovery time.

From there, the board-certified plastic surgeon will insert a thin tube called a cannula through the same incision and pass it back and forth under the skin to break up the fat before suctioning it out.

The procedure can last anywhere from a half-hour for a very small area to up to four hours when it includes much of the torso. “Does it hurt?” is a question that comes up often during the consultation. Depending on the extent of your liposuction, you’ll either be under general anesthesia or sedated, so you shouldn’t feel a thing during the procedure itself.

What the recovery’s like

You can expect to feel sore for the first few days after the surgery. There may also be some swelling or bruising. Generally, it’s a good idea to set aside about a week to rest before heading back to work. You’ll be prescribed a pain medication, but ibuprofen is often more than enough to remedy any discomfort.

As the swelling subsides, the treated area (or areas) may appear a little lumpy. That will improve after a few weeks. Many plastic surgeons will recommend that you wear a compression garment as you recover, which can not only help prevent any lumps from forming it’ll also help minimize the swelling and bruising and speed up the healing process.

When you’ll see the results

You should be able to notice the improvement in your silhouette right after the procedure, even with the swelling. As you heal, the results will continue to improve for up to a year after the procedure.

What often starts as a humble desire to simply fit better in their pants, for many, evolves into the impetus to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, once the dramatic results become evident. And, as long as that new weight is maintained, the results will last.

Even in cases where some or all of the weight is gained back, the treated area will still look better than if you’d never had liposuction. In a recent study of people who underwent the procedure and gained the weight back, they still reported being very happy with their results.

In my last post, the first of this quick, two-part series, I got into the how, as in how to start going about a breast augmentation. The consultation is such a critical part of the process because it’s where you and your plastic surgeon begin to get to know each other, and that bond will prove to be essential to shaping the breasts you want. Here, I’ll discuss what exactly the surgery entails, what the recovery’s like, and how breast augmentation differs from a breast lift.

What happens during the procedure

Generally, the surgery is done under either general anesthesia or conscious sedation. For the latter, you’ll remain awake, but you’ll be in a deeply relaxed state and you won’t be able to feel any pain.

The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. I’ll make a small, economic incision to create a pocket to make room for the implant. Once I’ve positioned the implant, I’ll close and bandage the incision. The entire procedure usually lasts less than two hours, and you’ll be able to go home soon afterward.

I practice conservation when making any incision, which reduces downtime and post-operative pain as much as possible. The incisions will leave minimal scars, but they heal very well and become harder to see with time. Plus, they’ll be located in an inconspicuous spot, so you likely wouldn’t notice them unless you looked for them.

What the recovery’s like

Everyone recovers from surgery at a slightly different pace, but, on average, it takes about four to six weeks to fully resume your normal activities. You should feel significantly better within a week, though you’ll still want to stick to light activity and avoid high-intensity workouts until you’re fully healed.

Should you need pain medications after the surgery, you’ll have access to them in accordance with your overall recovery plan.

If you’re doing the math in your head, the coming weeks would make for an ideal time to have the surgery done. You’d be able to recover completely and still have the entire summer ahead of you.

Breast augmentation vs. breast lift

For most women, particularly those post-pregnancy or -weight loss, a certain amount of drooping of the breast is to be expected. If the breasts already have sufficient volume, a breast lift may be all that’s needed to restore the fullness and perkiness. Very often, though, the lift is done in combination with a breast augmentation.

With a breast lift, the surgeon remove excess, stretched-out skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and raises the nipple and areola to a more forward position, which creates a more youthful contour. Those who undergo the procedure are usually able to return to work within a few days, as long as it isn’t too physically demanding, and to most normal activities within a week.

To find out which approach is best suited for you—a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a combination of the two—consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

For more on this topic, check out Dr. Davis’s podcast – The Plastic Surgery Revolution.

What would you like to change about yourself? For many women, it’s their breasts.

More than 18,500 women in 40 countries participated in the Breast Size Satisfaction Survey, the results of which were published earlier this year. It’s believed to be the largest cross-cultural study to examine body image ever undertaken. Nearly half of the women who participated (48%, specifically) said they wanted larger breasts. (The average age of the participants was 34.)

The researchers behind the study also discovered that that dissatisfaction was associated with poorer psychological well-being, including lower levels of self-esteem and happiness, and that those women were more likely to be unhappy with their weight and overall appearance, too.

So, if you’re feeling insecure about your breasts, you’re far from alone. Whether you want to increase your cup size or lift them post-pregnancy or -weight loss, consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon may not only prove informative but it could also help you feel less, well, stuck.

The consultation

A consultation isn’t a purely one-way experience. You should come prepared with some basic background knowledge of what breast augmentation entails, which will enable you to ask more pointed questions about both the procedure and the and the surgeon him- or herself, such as:

• How many breast augmentations did you do last year?
• What was your complication rate?
• What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site are recommended for me? (More on that in a moment.)
• Where and how will you perform my breast augmentation surgery?
• How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time? After pregnancy? After breastfeeding?

Also ask to see before-and-after photos specifically of women with your body type.

Meanwhile, the plastic surgeon’s also going to try to get to know you and understand the motivation that brought you to his or her office. They’re also going to ask about your medical background, in case there’s anything that may have relevance to the surgery.

Finally, they’re going to examine you physically. Your anatomy plays an important role in determining the size and shape of your implants.

Size and shape

The plain truth is: Some have more capacity for breast implants than others. But breast augmentation also isn’t purely about the size of the implant. A plastic surgeon who’s experienced in the procedure will be keenly aware of creating the right aesthetic balance of tissue above and below the nipple. Breasts that aren’t slightly fuller below the nipple tend to look noticeably artificial.

The shape of the implant itself is also an important variable. There are two different shapes, generally speaking, round and teardrop. The teardrop offers a slightly more natural look. But, again, it depends on your anatomy. The idea is to work with your body as much as possible, not against it.

In my next post, I’ll discuss what the surgery entails, the difference between breast augmentation and a breast lift, and what the recovery’s like.