Why Are My Upper Arms So Fat?

Posted January 21, 2022 in Arm Lift Surgery, Brachioplasty

Do you have a problem with excess upper arm fat? This can be an embarrassing issue, and it’s one that many people struggle with. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why the upper arms get fat, and we’ll also go over real solutions for this problem.

The Upper Arm: One of the Body’s Favorite Fat Deposits

One of the body’s favorite places to store fat is in the upper arms. For a lot of people, excess upper arm fat can be quite stubborn and difficult to eliminate. You might notice excess fat in your upper arms for some of the following reasons:

• Upper arm muscle mass: The upper arm muscles are relatively small compared to muscles in other areas of the body, so they don’t burn as many calories as larger muscle groups. Because it is much more difficult to build in the upper arms than the legs, the upper arms usually look less toned.
• Major weight fluctuations: If your body weight tends to fluctuate wildly, your upper arms probably remain fairly large even when you lose weight. The upper arm area is not well-equipped for weight loss; once it has accumulated a significant amount of excess fat, getting rid of that fat will be a challenge.
• Gender: Women tend to have more upper arm fat than men. This, plus the fact that women also tend to have a harder time building muscle mass in the upper arms, means that women are more likely to struggle with flabby upper arms.
• Thin upper arm skin: The skin on the upper arms tends to be fairly thin, which makes it more susceptible to age-related changes. Loss of skin elasticity over time makes it saggy, giving the upper arms a flabby and shapeless appearance.
• Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes are often responsible for weight gain that contributes to your stubborn upper arm fat. Pregnancy and menopause are two major causes of hormone changes.
• Genetics: Some people are simply genetically predisposed to accumulate excess upper arm fat.
• Poor diet and lack of exercise: A poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are two of the main contributors to fat buildup anywhere on the body. Without a healthy lifestyle, anyone can become a victim and accumulate excess fat in their upper arms.
• Age-related weight gain: As humans, we all tend to gain weight gradually over time. This weight gain is often more noticeable in the upper arms because they are naturally narrower, and so easily exposed to view.
• Clothing: Sometimes it is all a matter of perception. Many clothing choices, such as sleeveless tops, bathing suits, and short sleeves, bare the upper arms. Any stubborn fat, even a small amount, can seem worse when not covered by clothing.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your upper arms, don’t despair. There are treatments available to help trim and contour this area of the body. Two perfect examples are liposuction and brachioplasty (arm lift surgery).

If you are considering liposuction or brachioplasty for your upper arm fat, schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andres Taleisnik. He will be able to assess your individual situation and recommend the best course of treatment. To book your appointment, call (657) 294-8375 or fill out our online contact form today.