Your Questions

What Is The Best Way To Tighten and Reshape My Upper Arms?

Q: Do you use the BodyTite Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) for upper arms and abdomen areas? Is it safe to this while I am breastfeeding?

A: RFAL is a modest skin tightening and fat removal method. Whether that is an appropriate technique depends on how much fat vs loose skin one has in their upper arms. Based on my experience in upper arm reshaping, I would have little confidence that any method of skin tightening alone on the body in general is a good financial value. (i.e., a satisfied patient) Almost every upper arm that I have seen in my Indianapolis plastic surgery practice, even if there wasn’t a fat issue, needs at least an inch or more of skin tightening. That is well beyond what any method of nonsurgical skin tightening can do. The arm is a tough area when it comes to decision making between an arm lift and liposuction. Armlifts are never worth it unless there is a lot of skin. Even liposuction can produce only modest arm changes. For arm issues that do not justify an armlift scar, the dual approach of Smartlipo followed postoperatively by skin tightening, such as Skin Tyte or RFAL, would be a good consideration.

As for any form of invasive plastic surgery during breast feeding, there is no reason to do elective surgery during this period. You should wait until that process is over before proceeding. As for noninvasiuve technques, such as microermabrasion, light chemicals and phototherapies, they would be perfectly safe to do during the breastfeeding period.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana