Arm Lift Scarring?

My sister had an arm lift recently and she thought the incision was going to be in the middle arm. As it turns out the scar is on the back of her arm. Why do some doctors perfer to put the incision on the back rather than the inside of the arm. Is it better to do this as it achieves a better result or is it just an individual surgeons preference.

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by zhara in oz in australia

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Ideal Brachioplasty Incision

A nice cosmetic result following an arm lift procedure maybe achieved by removing excess arm skin, placing the incision in an inconspicuous location and avoiding significant tension upon skin closure. The exact location of the incision is based upon: surgeon and patient preference, how much excess arm skin exists preoperatively, quality and elasticity of skin, as well as the predominant location of the excess skin (closer to armpit versus elbow). Certain patients with less excess skin... more

Extended Arm Lift Incision Placement

The incision is typically placed on the inner aspect of the arm to hide the scar in casual activity. A slightly posterior scar is a variation as well.

Location of upper arm scars in arm lift

The location of the scar is generally anywhere from mid inner arm when arms are held outstretched to the lower edge. The goal is to get the excess skin off, restore a pleasing and balanced contour to the upper arm and have the scar heal nicely, being inconspicuous as possible. Different doctors have different preferences and most will individualize to the patient. Either way, it is preferable to not have the scar visible at all when the arms are hanging at the sides more

Arm incisions.

Great question. Over the years, I have switched to a more posterior approach because it seems to hide better and work better for most of my patients. Given that lots of my arm lift patients have lost a great deal of weight and have most of the excess in the back area, it makes sense for them to do it this way. I recommend that your sister review with the plastic surgeon the rationale for the posterior incision and I'm sure she will feel better. Good luck.

Aldo Guerra, MD

56 reviews

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Armlift Incision Placement Varies

The most common location of the incision after an armlift is either inside the arm or the back of the arm. It is patient and surgeon's preference. My personal choice is the low-anterior incision as it is well hidden in the shadows of the arm and does a good job of correcting the elbow and armpit skin excess. Unfortunately, once the scar location choicec is made the result is permanent. Advocates of the medial or low anterior placement point to the good scar quality and... more

Arm Lifting ( Brachioplasty) Scars?

Thank you for the question. You will find that there are very many different ways that plastic surgeons do specific operations. Furthermore, the location of resulting scars after arm lifting surgery will vary from one practitioner to another. To complicate things even further, sometimes scars end up in a location where the plastic surgeon was not planning/hoping the scar would end up. In my practice, I try to have the arm lifting scar end up at the very bottom... more