You've worked out every day for a year.
You've made sure to eat a balanced diet.
And the end result has paid off.
You've lost 30 pounds.
However, you may have noticed that your arms may still be looking somewhat flabby.
Of course, you want your arms to look as great as the rest of you, but you may not be sure if cosmetic surgery is really the way to go to get those biceps and triceps firm and toned.
What exactly is involved with getting an arm lift, and what are your other options? The Arm Lift Procedure An arm lift, or brachioplasty, can be done with or without liposuction to remove excess fat from the upper arms.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, brachioplasty is one of the most popular surgeries to have done following weight loss.
Even people who are naturally thin or work out on a regular basis may have sagging skin on the upper arms due to the natural effects of aging.
The procedure generally takes anywhere from one to three hours, depending upon the extent of the surgery.
For the procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will make a series of incisions that usually run from the inside of the upper arm to the elbow in order to lift and tighten the skin.
Liposuction is more often done if there is only a small bit of fat to be removed.
For more extensive arm lifts, such as following bariatric surgery for weight reduction, the incision may run from the elbow and up to the armpit.
Recovery usually takes anywhere from two to six weeks.
There may be some swelling and bruising during the healing process.
In general, you should be able to shower after one week and return to work after two to three weeks.
You may be advised to avoid exercising or lifting heavy objects for a month following surgery.
Toning the Arms without Surgery Of course, you may decide that you don't want arm lift surgery.
Is there a way you can get rid of the excess arm flab and fat without having to go under the knife? You may have seen ads on television or the Internet for various creams, lotions, and oils that promise to quickly and easily melt away arm fat or tighten excess skin.
The truth is that the only way to tone up the arms other than by surgery is to do regular exercise workouts that include specifically targeting the biceps and triceps muscle groups.
Swimming is a great way to get those arms in shape, as well as using weight machines or dumbbells.
Water aerobics classes are particularly good for toning the upper arms, as the water adds resistance to your workout.
Of course, if you do decide to start an exercise program, discuss this first with your physician if you have any health issues or concerns.
He or she will help you devise a sensible exercise and diet plan to achieve the most optimal results.
You may find other overall health benefits from opting for exercise over cosmetic surgery to tone your arms.
You will have more energy and stamina, as well as having a sense of pride in showing off those fabulous arms.
However, if the cosmetic problem stems from an excess of skin that has accumulated due to weight loss, aging, or genetics, exercise and dieting simply will not help.
In these cases, the only effective solution is arm lift surgery.