Sometimes (rarely) the adipose layer within the arm area (from the shoulder down to the elbow) is too thick due to excess fat that doesn't improve despite well-balanced diets and intense physical activity, without an excessive amount of loose skin, causing the area to look "obese".

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

This procedure can be performed only in operating rooms under conscious sedation or general anaesthesia.
As in every other liposuction procedure (liposculpture or lipoaspiration), the fat will be removed through small cannulas connected to an aspirator or proper syringes that will be inserted into the body through small incisions (5-12 mm / 0.2-0.47 inches) that will be sutured.

POST-OPERATIVE PHASE AND CONVALESCENCE

At the end of the treatment very small stitches will be applied and sometimes protected by small band-aids (steri-strip), and the removed after only 5-8 days.
After the procedure the patient usually wears special tight garments, bandages and/or medications in order to keep the treated area compressed for a few days.
The patient can be discharged on the same day (Day-Surgery), because the procedure doesn't usually require overnight hospitalization, unless the patient asks for it or the surgeon finds it necessary.
During the first post-operative days the treated areas may look edematose (swollen) and often ecchymotic (purple bruises that turn yellowish after a few days and eventually disappear), and this condition will end in the space of 7-14 days, depending on the patient's predisposition.
It may take up to 100 days for part of the edema (usually 30-40%) to completely recover.
The patient usually feels no or very little post-operative pain, which can be easily managed with painkillers. During the first 7-15 days after the procedure the patient has to take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, or even other types of drugs if the surgeon or the anaesthetist find it necessary.
Intense physical activities and exercises must be suspended for about 30 days.
Smokers should not smoke for at least 15 days before and 30 days after the treatment.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

If the procedure is performed in a safe environment (Hospital operating rooms, Clinics and accredited Extended Care Facilities) and by qualified physicians (surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical technologist, anaesthetist and operating room staff) there is no risk of major complications, as long as the patient follows thoroughly all the post-operative instructions given by the medical staff.

COSTS

Considering the condition of the area to be treated, the size of the treated area, the wide range of prices asked by the different Extended Care Facilities (and the huge importance of performing the procedure in safe facilities) and the fees for the anaesthetists and for the surgical and nursing staff, this procedure can cost from 1.000€ up to 2.500€.