Upper Arm Liposuction | 3 Months After Surgery — Woman in Her 20s2026.08.07
This is a case of upper arm liposuction in a woman in her 20s, shown three months after surgery. Many patients tell us they want their upper arms to be as slim as possible, while at the same time worrying that removing too much fat may leave the skin loose, or that slimming only the arms may look unnatural. In this case, our goal was to achieve both a slimmer contour and well-preserved skin texture.
Compared with the abdomen or thighs, the upper arm has a relatively thin layer of subcutaneous fat, so the condition beneath the skin tends to show on the surface. For this reason, simply removing as much fat as possible is not the right approach; the finished result depends greatly on how much of each layer is left behind. During the pre-operative design, we checked the fat distribution and skin movement with the arm both lowered and raised, and marked the areas where shadows tend to form.
The procedure focused on the back of the upper arm — the area often referred to in Japanese as the “furisode” (hanging sleeve) — extending from near the elbow toward the base of the shoulder with attention to continuity. The superficial layer just beneath the skin was left thin and intact, and fat was removed mainly from the deeper layer, which helps reduce surface irregularity and rippling after surgery. Because slimming the upper arm alone can create a visible step at the border with the shoulder, the suction volume was adjusted so that the treated area transitions smoothly toward the base of the shoulder.
At three months after surgery, swelling has largely subsided and the firmness under the skin begins to soften. In this case, the line of the extended arm has become straighter and the fullness on the back of the arm is less noticeable, while the skin texture remains well preserved, without pronounced wrinkling or sagging. Note that between one and three months after surgery, a temporary hardness and tightness known as induration is common; it gradually softens over roughly six months.
Liposuction is not a procedure for losing weight, but one for reshaping a specific area. The way results appear and the time required for swelling and firmness to settle vary from person to person, and the outcome depends on your original skin elasticity and fat distribution. Because the upper arms are often visible in daily life, sharing your goals in advance — how slim you would like to be, what kind of clothes you would like to wear — helps us work toward a result you will be satisfied with. Please feel free to discuss any concerns with your doctor.
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[Medical Supervision] Shin Moriwaki, MD
Member, Japan Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS) / Member, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
ECFMG Certificate (United States)
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📍AVAN TOKYO GINZA LIPOSUCTION CLINIC
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