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Arm Liposuction Incision Through the Arm?

asked 2 years ago by NeutralGround in Brooklyn, NY
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 2,543 times
Tags: arms, incision

I'm having an arm Liposuction in a couple of weeks, and I've been looking at before and after pictures and reading reviews. One thing I noticed is that most incisions are at or around the elbow area. My doctor said my incision will be through the armpit. Why did he choose that site? Will it make a difference in my results? I've had work done by him before so I trust his skill and experience, I'm just curious.

16 answers to Arm Liposuction Incision Through the Arm?

Access sites for liposuction

In order to get access to the arm for liposuction, we sometimes make incisions in the armpit and at the elbow. If a good result is obtained with just the armpit incision, then the elbow incision is spared. However, if extra sculpting is required then the elbow incision is made. The access incisions heal very well and are barely visible at about 1 year. Good luck!

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

That sounds even better

Neutral, As plastic surgeons we are always looking for ways to hide scars. Although we like to leave our mark, we like it to be the result, not the scar. Your surgeon is likely choosing the least conspicuous location for your scar, through which he/she can provide you with the expected result. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Both incisions are fine for arm liposuction

The choice of incisions depends on two things: surgeon's preference and patient indications. If you have predominantly fat on the lower part of the upper arm, then an elbow only incision would work very well. If the fat is mainly on the upper portion, then an armpit incision might be best. However, if the fat is somewhat evenly distributed then both incisions might be needed. Keep in mind that these are very small incisions and do not usually draw attention. Have faith in the surgeon... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

Arm liposuction and insertion sites

Many doctors use an axillary (armpit) insertion site as well as the elbow. It improves the result when you can pass the liposuction cannula through different directions to attack the same spot. The axillary insertions site is well hidden.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

I think you have your answer

As you can see by all the well crafted answers so far, arm liposuction can be done through multiple different incisions. The scars are not the issue at all, the real question is how well will your skin shrink after. The skin of the inner arm is exceptionally thin and relatively poorly elastic.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction incisions

If your surgeon is experienced at liposuction, then it shouldn't make any difference where he makes the incision. I usually make the incision just above the elbow and after the incisions have healed they are almost unnoticeable.

Allen Clark III, MD
Montgomery Plastic Surgeon

Location of the incision is not important.

Hi. The incisions for liposuction of the arms are so tiny that scarring is really not an issue. The four key points in liposuction of the arms are: 1) Understand that most of the fat is in the back of the arm. 2) Achieve a smooth contour. It is not hard to get an irregularity or a dent in the arms. I personally use both incisions, because it is easier to get a smooth surface when you approach the treatment area from two different directions. I also use tiny cannulas (2.4 mm), for the... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Arm liposuction

Liposuction can be performed through multiple different access sites. No one incisions is the best. If your doctor feels that it can be accomplished successfully near your armpit than it should be OK.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Your trusted surgeon is your best resource.

Not being involved in your care, we are only able to speculate. You mentioned you trust your surgeon, so ask him his reasoning. I welcome such discussion with patients, and my staff encourages it. My most common incisions for arm liposuction are in front and behind the elbow, but axillary incisions would be needed for contouring the adjacent axilla, back or chest.

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

Don't worry

The final contour and smoothness is much more important than the location and number of incisions when it comes to liposuction. If this plastic surgeon is a trusted and experienced doctor, I'd take their advice and use whatever approach they recommend. Good luck!

Brian K. Brzowski, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

I usually make two

I make both incisions. One of the things about liposuction is that it is a relatively "blind" procedure. The surgeon wants to suction from multiple entry sites where ever possible, use small cannulas, and suction from superficial to deep- all to minimize surface irregularities (high points and divots). Will it affect your outcome? Your surgeon is the most important variable, even more so than the type of lipo you have done.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Arm Liposuction Incisions

In general, a surgeon will use two separate incisions to perform liposuction in one area. So yes, it would be reasonable to use both an armpit and also an elbow incision. In general, these incsisions are small and heal well and do not leave a significant scar.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD
Wellesley Plastic Surgeon

Surgeon's choice

The most important thing is that you trust your surgeon. Don't second guess him too much just prior to surgery. Ask all the questions you want going in, but be confident in his choices with you as you will get avariety of answers from other doctors. Ideally, asurgeon would like to try to come at the areaof liposuction from two different angles so an incision in the armpit and one at the elbow would be reasonable. If the area issmall, one incision might be adequate but I usually like two to... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Either incision will work well

You can expect a good result with either approach, and with time both incisions will heal very well. If you trust your surgeon and have worked with him in the past, I think you're in good shape.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.drsalemy.com

Axillary incision is a reasonable choice for arm liposuction

Many physicians use a combination of both incisions but they should be barely visible in either case. Incisions near the armpit can also reduce fatty deposits over the posterior axillary fold or shoulder which are commonly associated with full arms and so I tend to prefer this incision as well.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Let your surgeon do it they way they are used to doing it.

It is best to let your surgeon do the surgery they way they normally do it. It is amazing to me that people come in a start asking the surgeon to do the surgery a different way than they are used to performing it. If you trust the surgeon, then it is best to rely on the skills and experience of the surgeon rather than dictating how they should perform the surgery. I don't go out to eat and tell the chef at the restaurant how to cook my meal, I don't go on an airplane and tell the pilot... more