What Questions Should I Ask when Considering a Modified Brachioplasty?

I am considering a modified brachioplasty. I have attempted to research the technique without success. I was able to inquire on how many layers of sutures and type, incision location but not really the technique. I see some surgeons are able to address the "suspension" while others seem unable to-just by image reviews. I wondering if thats the reason for the extended incision that shows (angles upwards to the shoulder). I want to be as informed as possible for the best outcome. Thank you!

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by 1mom in Minnesota

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Brachioplasty is an arm lift

Brachioplasty is designed to remove excess upper arm skin (and some cases, fat as well) and requires an incision that runs from the underarm area to the elbow. The scar is placed in the inner aspect of the upper arm, facing the side of the chest, to help conceal its presence. This is a great operation for fair-skinned patients who are generally in their fifties or older, as the skin is often fairly thin, and results in a scar which is faint and minimally visible. In younger patients, this... more

Michael Law, MD

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Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

What kind of arm lift do you need?

The appropriate type of arm lift (brachioplasty) is determined by the amount of excess skin. If there is only a little skin excess, a minimal incision approach is possible. A lot of redundant skin will reqire a full arm lift.

Short incision and long incision arm lifts

The most important strategies in arm lifts have to do with how much skin laxity exists and where is the incision placed. The reason that short scar incision don't usually work is that patients seeking arms lifts are not good candidates for that procedure. With a significant amount of skin laxity a longer incision is necessary. Incision location is crucial.

Modified Brachioplasty Is Rarely Effective

Hello 1mom, The armpit incision only brachioplasty is effective for only a select few individuals who have minimal laxity or redundancy and excellent skin elasticity. There is no magic. If the skin is lax, redundant, or has poor elastic qualities, it will not be improved without excising that skin that is hanging, which will lead to a traditional T scar. the length of the incision down the arm is dependant on each person... more

Brachioplasty

You realy should discuss this thoroughly with your plastic surgeon before the surgery. The extent of brachioplasty and the incision and any modification depend on how much excess skin you have and where is the excess skin, How much fat. is there any excess skin at the elbow, any excess skin in the posterior axillary area, Traditional brachioplasty puts an incision from the axilla to the elbow on the inside of the arm. some people may need less than that or more that that and that is... more

Armlifting scars

Discuss further with your surgeon exactly what procedure will be performed. Sometimes patients insist on a short scar and the surgeon agrees to make theatient happy but in the end the result may not be what you are looking for. Make sure your surgeon is experienced and can show you many examples of his work.

What Questions Should I Ask when Considering a Modified Brachioplasty?

A modified Brachioplasty, as it says is modified to be tailored to a specific set of patients with arm skin and fat excess and laxity. So the question you should be asking is I am one of those patients. A modified Brachioplasty was designed in order to avoid the unsightly scars that may develop after a standart Brachioplasty procedure and is limited to an incision in the axillary area to hide the scars. The degree of skin laxity and fat excess needs to be evaluated and the procedure... more

Arm Lift

The contouring of the upper arm is a procedure most plastic surgeons will perform. If there is good skin tone and some extra fatty tissue present, liposuction may be performed alone. If there is an abundance of loose skin then the skin and the fat will need to be excised (removed) and the skin flap advanced and closed. This is the Brachioplasty procedure. There will be scars. The overall results are usually very good.

Modified Arm Lift. What is it?

I have no idea what a modified arm lift is and I have been doing this surgery for 30 years. Modified means the surgeon has modified things to his or her own taste. This is fine but there is no such defined procedure. Arm lifts can be either pure liposuction, pure long incision, or one of the 75,000 combos in between. The axillary incision (armpit), is a wishful thinking bit of nonsense usually. Little, if anything, is accomplished by the... more

Investigate carefully.....

Hello, As there is no standard "modified brachioplasty," I would be concerned about exactly what your surgeon has planned and how well it works. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD