Want hands like your favorite celebrities? You’re not alone: Brachioplasty has exploded in popularity over the past decade.
Okay, so we thought it was pretty crazy when some British women admitted to getting nose jobs to look like Kate Middleton.
Well, it’s time to step it up a notch — or 4,378 notches.
According to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the demand for brachioplasty – or arm lifts – has increased by 4,378 percent since 2000.
With the procedure, fat and excess skin is trimmed away from the back of the arms to eliminate the dreaded “bingo wing” look that we all hate.
“Women are paying more attention to their hands in general and are more aware of the options for treating that area,” she 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.”
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Why is it so popular now? Call it the Michelle Obama effect: Women want to emulate the look of their favorite strong-armed celebrities like MO, Jessica Biel, Kelly Ripa and Jennifer Aniston.
“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,” Natalie Robinson of Knoxville, Tennessee, told ASPS.
“I had a lot of excess skin around my arms,” Robinson continued, referring to her incredible 170-pound weight loss. “Every time I looked in the mirror it reminded me of a heavier person and I just couldn’t get rid of it.”
The downside? The procedure can leave the patient with a long, unsightly scar on the lower arm.
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So, is it worth the money? We’re all for doing what makes you feel good, but know that this doesn’t give every patient weapons like Obama’s.
“We are genetically programmed to have different fat deposits in different areas, and for some women the arms can be a problem area,” said ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD.
“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,” added Reath.
Our tip: Save some money and grab some heavy weights for scalpel-free arm lifts!
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