What incision is best for a brachioplasty? Inner arm or back of the arm?

There are many different options for locating the arm lift scars.  I recommend consulting with a surgeon who is an expert at this operation.  For my patients I use a red Sharpie permanent marker to simulate the proposed location for the scar.  For the next few days the patient is then able to experience what it would be like to have a scar in the proposed location.

Each surgeon has his or her own preference where they choose
to put their brachioplasty scars.In my
practice the most common scar is the one straight down the back of the
arm.Patients choose this one over the
one on the inside of the arm mainly because when you in in a short sleeve shirt
and talking to someone, you typically move your arms.If the scar is on the inside of the arm, at
conversational distances it is visible.The scar down the back of the arm is visible when someone is standing
behind you.A brachioplasty does leave
a big scar, but for patients with a lot of excess hanging skin, they are
willing to trade the skin for a scar.If you are not ready for the scar, you are not a good candidate for this
procedure.Your surgeon will work with
you to determine which incision is a better options for you and your arms.

                   When
patients undergo brachioplsty surgery an incision is made from the elbow to the
axilla. Through this incision excess skin and fat can be removed in both the
transverse and vertical dimensions of the upper arm. The exact placement of
this incision is dependent upon several variables.

                  In
the majority of cases, the incision is placed on the inner arm between the
biceps and triceps muscles. In this position the scars are well hidden when the
arms are at the patient’s side. When patients raise their arms, the scars
become more noticeable.

                  Occasionally,
patients prefer scars that are more posteriorly located. In this position,
scars don’t tend to spread as much, because the skin is thicker in this
location.

                  It’s
important to understand that scarring is inevitable with the procedure,
irregardless of the incision placement. The most important variable in scar
formation is the patients wound healing biology. This varies from patient to
patient and for this reason incision placement needs to be individualized.

                  If
you’re considering brachioplasty it’s important to discuss these issues with a
board certified plastic surgeon before proceeding. This surgeon should be able
to formulate a treatment plan that addresses this issue.