Circumferential Upper Arm Liposuction | Woman, 27, 6 Months After
A 27-year-old woman. She was concerned about the thickness of her upper arms, so we performed circumferential liposuction of the upper arms (back, shoulders and front). The photos compare the line from the upper arms to the shoulders before surgery (in casual clothes, side view) and 6 months after surgery (in a swimsuit, oblique rear view).
The short answer
In this case the entire circumference of the upper arms (back, shoulders and front) was treated in one session. In the photo 6 months after surgery, the bulge from the back to the outer side of the upper arms has decreased, giving a slim, firm line from the shoulders to the elbows.
Case overview
| Procedure | Circumferential upper arm liposuction (back, shoulders, front) |
|---|---|
| Details | Upper arms, circumferential (back, shoulders, front): 450ml removed / 1,000ml tumescent solution / 6 small incisions at both elbows and the front and back of both armpits |
| Anesthesia / duration | General anaesthesia / approx. 55 minutes |
| Photo timing | Before and 6 months after surgery (side to oblique rear view) |
| Sessions | 1 session |
| Cost | JPY 498,000 (tax included, monitor price) Price list |
| Main risks | Swelling, bruising, pain, oedema, skin irregularity, asymmetry, scars, skin laxity or rippling, a pulling sensation, etc. (see details below) |
| Doctor | Dr. Shin Moriwaki (Director) |
Her concerns
She was concerned about the thickness of her upper arms and wanted a cleaner line when showing her arms in sleeveless tops or swimwear.
Because the fat of the upper arm continues from the back (the so-called "bingo wings") to the shoulders and the front, we proposed treating the entire circumference at once to reduce the thickness of the whole arm evenly.
Treatments performed
Circumferential upper arm liposuction
We treated the back, shoulders and front of the upper arms as one continuous area, because treating only one part tends to leave a step at the border or remaining thickness when viewed from the front or side.
Through 6 small incisions at both elbows and the front and back of both armpits, we reduced the thickness evenly with crisscrossing cannula passes, leaving a thin layer of fat under the skin to prevent irregularities. 450ml was removed, the same as the median (450ml) of 70 cases of upper-arm-only liposuction in our case data (Japanese, as of November 2026).
Anaesthesia and operating time
The procedure was performed under general anaesthesia (propofol, sevoflurane and nitrous oxide), with 1,000ml of tumescent solution injected into the upper arms. The operating time was approximately 55 minutes.
Changes from before surgery to 6 months after
Before surgery, there was roundness from the back to the outer side of the upper arms, and the thickness of the arms stood out when they were lowered. In the photo 6 months after surgery, the bulge of the upper arms has decreased, giving a slim, straight line from the shoulders to the elbows.
The before photo was taken in casual clothes from the side and the after photo in a swimsuit from an oblique rear angle, so clothing, posture and photo conditions differ. At 6 months after surgery, the small incision marks on the inner elbows have become less noticeable.
Recovery and aftercare
Pain peaks 2–3 days after surgery and settles in about 10 days. Swelling and bruising gradually subside over 2–3 weeks. Firmness in the treated area (induration) peaks around 1 month after surgery and usually settles in about 3 months.
A compression garment (a bolero for the upper arms) is worn 24 hours a day for 1 week, and thereafter as much as possible, such as at home or while sleeping, until swelling and bruising subside. Short, lukewarm showers are allowed from the next day; baths, saunas and strenuous exercise from 2 weeks after surgery.
These photos were taken 6 months after surgery, when swelling and induration have settled and the final line is largely stable.
Frequently asked questions
How much does circumferential upper arm liposuction cost?
The cost in this case was JPY 498,000 (tax included, monitor price). Anaesthesia, pre-operative blood tests and the compression garment are charged separately, and the final amount is confirmed at the consultation. The monitor price requires consent to photo and video documentation.
How long is the downtime?
Pain peaks 2–3 days after surgery and settles in about 10 days; swelling and bruising subside over 2–3 weeks. The compression garment is worn 24 hours a day for 1 week, and baths, saunas and strenuous exercise can resume 2 weeks after surgery. Firmness (induration) peaks around 1 month and usually settles in about 3 months.
Where are the scars?
The incisions are at both elbows and the front and back of both armpits, 6 in total, each only a few millimetres long. They become less noticeable over time, although how long redness or pigmentation lasts varies from person to person.
Risks and side effects
Liposuction may cause swelling, bruising, pain, oedema, skin irregularity or tightness, asymmetry, pigmentation and scars at the small incisions. Rarely, complications such as infection, haematoma, numbness or reduced sensation may occur.
In the upper arms and shoulders, skin laxity, rippling, a pulling sensation or temporary firmness due to induration may occur. General anaesthesia may temporarily cause nausea, dizziness or throat discomfort.
These symptoms may occur during recovery and most gradually improve over time, but their severity and the recovery period vary from person to person. If any symptom concerns you, please consult your surgeon rather than judging by yourself.
Related treatment and cases
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The doctor in charge of this case
Shin Moriwaki, MD
Director, AVAN TOKYO Ginza Liposuction Clinic
Graduated from Tokushima University School of Medicine. Worked at Tokushima University Hospital, Tokyo Chuo Cosmetic Surgery and Gracia Clinic before taking up the current position. At least 3,000 cosmetic surgeries performed from January 2022 through November 2026, including previous positions.
Certifications
・VASER Lipo certified physician
・ECFMG Certificate
Memberships
・Member, Japan Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)
・Full member, Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine
・Member, American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine