New statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that arm lifts in women have soared more than 4,000% in the past decade. It’s a trend fueled, in part, by sleeveless fashions for women and more focus on celebrities with strong arms.
In 2000, more than 300 women underwent upper arm lift procedures. Last year, more than 15,000 did.
Arm raises with the numbers
Proceedings in 2012
• Total: 15 457 – 3% increase since 2011 / 4 473% since 2000
• Women: 15 136 – an increase of 4 378% since 2000
• 98% of arm lift patients were women
• Most popular with patients over 40 years of age. The majority, 43%, of patients were aged between 40 and 54 years, 33% were over 55 years.
• Average surgeon fee: $3,939 (R35 800)/Total spending on arm lift: $61 million (R544 million)
An upper arm lift may involve liposuction or a surgical procedure known as brachioplasty, in which loose skin is removed from the back of the arms.
“Women are paying more attention to their hands in general and are becoming more aware of treatment options for this area,” said ASPS President Gregory Evans, MD. “For some women, the arms have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help. Others may opt for a brachioplasty when there is enough loose skin with minimal elasticity.”
Women pay attention to female celebrities
Doctors say there is no reason behind the increase, although celebrities from the White House to the red carpet may be influential.
A recent poll conducted on behalf of ASPS found that women pay more attention to the arms of female celebrities.
According to the poll, women admire first lady Michelle Obama’s hug the most, closely followed by Jennifer Aniston. Actresses Jessica Biel and Demi Moore and daytime TV host Kelly Ripa also received votes for their toned arms.
“I think we’re always influenced by the people we see consistently, whether it’s on the big screen or on television,” said Knoxville, Tenn.-based ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD. “We see them and think, ‘yeah, I’d like to look like that.’
That’s exactly what happened to 24-year-old Natalie Robinson of Knoxville, who says she was inspired by the first lady’s hands. “I looked at Michelle Obama and said, ‘Oh my God, I want her hands.’
When I started losing weight and started getting toned, I had her image in my head.”
That was three years ago. Today, Robinson has lost more than 170 pounds (77 kg) and continues an amazing transformation through diet and exercise. But despite the weight she’d lost, Robinson says she still wasn’t completely happy.
“I had a lot of excess skin around my arms,” she said. “Every time I looked in the mirror it reminded me of a heavier person and I just couldn’t get rid of it.”
That’s when Robinson contacted Dr. Reath, who performed her brachioplasty. “Natalie had the perfect arms for this procedure,” Dr. Reath said, “but it’s not for everyone.”
Surgery leaves a scar
Brachioplasty requires an incision from the elbow to the armpit, generally at the back of the arm, leaving a visible and permanent scar. For Robinson, the scar was much easier to treat than the excess skin, but Dr. Reath cautions patients to carefully consider the pros and cons before getting an upper arm lift, especially a brachioplasty.
“It’s a trade-off. We get rid of the skin, but we leave a scar,” he said. “So as long as there is enough improvement in the shape of the arm to justify the scar, then it’s a great procedure.”
Dr. Reath stresses the importance of proper diet and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle for all of his patients, but says some women just can’t achieve the look they want on their own.
Many people who just want to tighten and tone their upper arms, but don’t have a lot of excess skin, choose liposuction over brachioplasty.
“We are genetically programmed to have different fat deposits in different areas, and for some women the arms can be a problem area,” said Dr. Reith. “The arms are a very noticeable area and if excess fat and skin is a problem, they tend to look more out of proportion than the rest of the body.”
That was certainly true of Robinson, but not anymore. Robinson says she never expected the surgery to make her hands perfect, just more normal. “Good proportions are what I was going for, and I’m very happy. It was worth the investment,” she said. “I would do it again.”
