Don’t be scared to battle the bat wings: Arm lift options to consider

Halloween may be over, but if you're still frightened by "bat wings," you have options!

Lifting and other exercises can help you build strength and tone muscle, but no amount of exercise is going to improve the appearance of your arms if excess skin caused by rapid weight loss or skin laxity is the cause of your bat wings. Yet, there are surgical options that can help you eliminate loose and sagging skin around your arms, busting those bat wings.

Banishing the bat wing

Does your arm wave goodbye before your hand does? Do you feel self-conscious about loose or sagging skin when you put on a short-sleeved shirt? You may be struggling with what some people affectionately call "bat wings." A bat wing is obviously not a medical term, but rather an informal term.

"Bat wings refer to the excess skin and fat of the arms that seem to hang when we raise them," said Anureet Bajaj, MD.

This loose or excess skin can be uncomfortable and may shake or move when people raise their arms or wave their hands. In addition to the lax appearance of the skin, excess tissue can cause problems such as irritation, rashes and chaffing. Skin folds can also trap moisture, causing odors, hygiene issues and providing a perfect breeding ground for yeast and infection-causing bacteria.

Fortunately, there are options available that can address both the appearance and discomfort caused by bat wings.

"There are several ways to address the arms," said Dr. Bajaj. "If the issue is primarily fat excess and the skin quality is relatively good, we can frequently do liposuction with or without an energy device to also tighten the skin. If the issue is both excess skin and fat or excess skin alone, then the best option is typically a brachioplasty, or arm lift."

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure where excess skin, fat and tissue are removed from the upper arms. Minor cases of lax skin and excess tissue may respond well to procedures like liposuction; however, for patients who have experienced significant weight loss, a brachioplasty is generally the preferred option.

"Typically, the incision goes from the elbow to the armpit," said Dr. Bajaj. "If there is excess skin along the armpit and lateral chest area, we may do what is known as an extended brachioplasty, in which the incision extends from the elbow, through the armpit, along the lateral chest and ends just underneath the breast."

She advised patients of traditional brachioplasty that it can take up to one year for the surgical scars to fade.

"These scars are some of the thickest scars we make in plastic surgery because the arms are almost always moving and hard to have tension-free when we are moving the area so that they can be thicker and redder, but they are often well hid on the inside or back of the arm and the contour is really worth the scarring and the few weeks of recovery," said Ashley Amalfi, MD.

Recovery typically also involves wearing a compression garment.

"Since most patients will need to wear compression sleeves postoperatively for four to six weeks, many patients may prefer the winter months for surgery," said Dr. Bajaj.

Innovations in arm lift treatments

Dr. Amalfi noted that energy-based treatments are one of the innovations that can also help patients improve the appearance of their upper arms. They may not be a replacement for traditional arm lift surgery in some cases, but new technology can help contour and tighten the upper arm area.

"Typically, a lot of skin requires surgical excision via an arm lift," said Dr. Amalfi. "This can be combined with liposuction for contouring as well. If there is minimal loose skin, liposuction along with an energy-based treatment like helium plasma with the Renuvion device can be used to tighten arm skin at the same time that fat is removed, although this is more minor tightening than skin removal."

Energy-based treatments, such as Renuvion, utilize radiofrequency energy and helium plasma to help tighten loose skin. A small probe gets inserted into the treatment area, such as the upper arm, and energy from the device heats and coagulates the internal tissue. Next, helium plasma gets released. The gas rapidly cools the heated treatment area, contracting collagen fibers and pulling the skin closer to the muscle, tightening it. If it is hard to imagine, think of it as a type of shrink wrap effect.

As a standalone procedure, it is an option for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity, offering a minimally invasive approach. When combined with other techniques such as liposuction or a traditional arm lift, the results can be a firmer, tighter arm area with less loose, sagging skin and excess tissue.

Go ahead and put Halloween and bat wings in your rear-view, so you don't have to keep bat wings on display year-round! A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you narrow down your arm lift options and find a procedure or combination of methods that address your specific needs.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.