Bingo wings, otherwise known as the excess folds of loose skin on the underside of your upper arms, can often be an area of the body where people can be self-conscious, leading to a reduction in self-confidence. Many patients feel uncomfortable wearing short-sleeve clothing to avoid exposing their arms, while many long-sleeve options don’t fit correctly. Although bingo wings are most commonly seen in women, they can also affect men, particularly after significant weight loss.
Bingo wings most commonly affect patients who are overweight or obese and can persist even after dramatic weight loss. Many slim people can still have bingo wings, even with skinny arms.
It is an area of the body that is particularly prone to excess fat and can be hard to tackle with healthy eating and exercise. This is why some people choose to consider surgical options such as liposuction of bingo wings.
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What are bingo wings?
Bingo wings are another term for the excess fat located beneath the arms. This is often more visible when the arm is raised and in motion. Bingo wings form when there is a lack of muscle definition in the arms. It can also occur after significant weight loss. Bingo wings can also become more prominent as we naturally age and begin to lose skin laxity. Bingo wings can affect self-confidence, leading people to alter their clothing style and opt for long-sleeve clothing.
Bingo wings most commonly occur due to the natural ageing process, which occurs when the skin loses its inherent elasticity. This can be worsened by excessive sun exposure and sun damage. The skin begins to lose collagen and elastin, and it stretches, a process that may accelerate when there is excess fat in the arm. Arm liposuction is the most effective treatment for reducing excess fat in the arm and tightening the skin by up to 10%. Those with significant skin laxity may be better candidates for a brachioplasty, also known as an arm reduction. Arm lift surgery can be performed as a full or mini arm lift.
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Non-surgical treatments
People with sagging skin in the upper arms can improve their appearance with certain non-surgical treatments. Morpheus8 uses radio frequency micro-needling technology to tighten and lift the skin. In fewer cases, Profhilo may be used to create firmer-looking skin, which often appears much smoother after treatment. Morpheus8 is a non-invasive treatment that does not involve incisions or scars associated with traditional surgery. The treatment is quick to carry out and does not involve any downtime. For patients with more than mild skin laxity, nonsurgical treatments may not be as effective as surgical arm lift surgery for removing bingo wings. Patients who have severe skin laxity are not appropriate candidates for non-surgical bingo wings treatment.
Am I a suitable candidate for liposuction of bingo wings?
You will be eligible to undergo arm liposuction if you:
- Have excess fat on the underside of the arms, which you want to remove
- Are 18 years or older
- Are physically and mentally healthy
- Have reasonable skin laxity
- Have reasonable expectations about what the procedure can achieve
If you have excess skin, rather than excess fat, beneath the arms, you will not be considered eligible for arm liposuction alone. Instead, you may wish to undergo an arm lift to remove the excess skin. If necessary, arm liposuction can be performed simultaneously with the arm lift. Patients who have mild to moderate amounts of excess skin may be able to have a mini arm lift, which has shorter incisions compared with a full arm lift.
You will have to be a non-smoker or be able to stop smoking at least two weeks before the procedure, as well as stop smoking during the recovery period.
Patients who have slim arms can benefit from skin excision alone, but patients who have large and heavy arms will require additional liposuction to reduce the size of their arms. The scar for an arm lift is located along the inside of the arm, making it less visible, and runs from the armpit to the elbow.
How is bingo wing liposuction performed?
Bingo wing liposuction will be performed under a local anaesthetic. However, if you do not wish to be awake for the procedure, you may opt for a general anaesthetic. At Centre for Surgery, we exclusively use TIVA anaesthesia. You will wake up much more quickly and will not experience the groggy feeling often associated with a traditional general anaesthetic.
Surgery to remove bingo wings can be performed under local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic, depending on your preferences. If you are having arm liposuction combined with another procedure, then we would recommend a general anaesthetic for your comfort.
Liposuction procedures at Centre for Surgery in London are performed using the PAL lipo method, which is commonly used by the Centre for Surgery. Unlike other liposuction methods, PAL lipo does not use heat, reducing the risk of bruising and swelling afterwards and of damage to the body during the procedure.
The arm is first injected with a solution that combines a local anaesthetic and a vasoconstrictor. This not only numbs the area, reducing the risk of pain and discomfort, but also reduces the risk of bleeding. Next, small incisions are made. Liposuction is then used to aspirate the fat globules, which ensures the blood vessels and stromal network are not damaged. A small, vibrating cannula is then used to break up the fat cells. Finally, the surgeon will sculpt the final layer of fat to ensure you achieve natural-looking results.
Bingo wing liposuction will be performed as a day case, and you will be able to return home once the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off.
What can I expect from the arm liposuction recovery period?
After bingo wing liposuction, you may experience swelling, bruising and redness, particularly around the incision site. You may wish to apply an ice pack to the area or take pain medication if necessary. The swelling will subside after 7 to 10 days.
You will have to wear a compression garment on your arms. This will help to reduce swelling and ensure your arms stay in the best shape possible.
You may need to take two to three days off work. This will vary from person to person, and some may require a more extended recovery period. If your job is physically demanding and involves lots of heavy lifting, you may need to take a longer period off work.
You will need to avoid strenuous physical exercise, including heavy lifting, for at least 2 weeks. If you have to look after young children, you may have to consider this when planning your recovery period. After two weeks, you will be able to resume light activities.
Brachioplasty
This procedure is also known as an arm lift or arm reduction. Brachioplasty surgery is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper arm. Liposuction is often combined with skin removal during the arm lift procedure. Liposuction, or Lipo, is first carried out to remove excess fat. The loose skin beneath the arm is then surgically removed.
Patients with moderate excess fat and skin may be suitable candidates for a standard full brachioplasty. Patients with mild to moderate skin laxity may be candidates for a mini brachioplasty, also known as a mini arm lift. A mini arm lift involves creating a curved incision beneath the armpit. In contrast, a full arm lift involves an additional incision along the inner aspect of the upper arm to the elbow. Excess fat and loose skin are surgically removed, and the skin is carefully stitched together to leave minimal scarring. In Patients who have lost significant weight, an extended brachioplasty may be appropriate to remove excess skin, which often extends onto the chest. The disadvantage of an extended brachioplasty is a much longer incision required to remove excess skin. The resulting scar is, therefore, much longer compared with a standard arm lift.
Arm lift surgery is one of the most effective ways to get rid of bingo wings whilst significantly improving the tone and definition of the arms, allowing patients to freely expose their arms without feeling self-conscious.
Are you interested in getting rid of bingo wings? Centre for Surgery offers both liposuction and arm lift surgery to treat this common condition. Contact us today to find out more or to book your consultation.
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