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

Every surgeon reconstructive plastic surgeon has their own way of doing reconstructive plastic surgery. Some plastic surgeons  prefer to place their arm lift or brachioplasty incision in the inner arm between the biceps and triceps.   The incision extends from the armpit to the elbow.  The beauty of this type of armlift or brachioplasty incision is that the incision is hidden. This is because we usually hold our arms down by our sides.  With the arms held at our sides, this arm lift incision and resultant scar are concealed. The beauty of positioning the scar between the biceps and triceps is that it is rarely visible and is typically visible only when one’s arms are raised. However, some reconstructive plastic surgeons prefer to place their incision on the back of the arm. Typically, the incision is placed on the back of the arm or triceps region.  Technically,  I find this technique easier to perform and may have less risks of wound breakdown. The significant downside to placing the scar on the back of the arm is that the incision and resulting scar are clearly visible. This is why I prefer to place the incision between the biceps and triceps.  I think an incision placed between the biceps and triceps provides a superior result than the incision on the back of the arm. However, every plastic surgeon has their preference. What ever the technique or placement of the scar, I believe compression and silicone gel sheeting are very important. I would continue compression and silicone gel sheeting for eight weeks after the arm lift or brachioplasty.
 
Sincerely, 
Dr.Katzen

Thank you for you question!  The incisions for a Brachioplasty can be customized to accommodate your lifestyle and your desired results.  The general recommendation for placement of the incision is either on the back of the arm or on the inside of your arm.  I recommend that your Surgeon simulate the placement of your incision with a marker prior to surgery, so that you can determine the area that you are most pleased with.

Brachioplasty scar can be very visible and unsightly. The choice of arm tuck scars in either in the inner arm which shows when a person opens their arms or in the back, which will show from the back! Fortunately, I have devised a Hidden Scar Brachioplasty Technique which places the scar at the lowest junction between the front and the back of the arm, more or less, where the seam of a jacket would go. In this way the Brachioplasty scar would not be visible from either the front or the back!

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. 

This depends on whether you have a hidden inner armlift where the
incision is hidden in the top of the armpit. It is almost imperceptible. It is
primarily for patients with a minimal amount of skin redundancy in the lower
arm versus the posterior armlift scar which is more effective, but leaves a
long scar on the back of the arm. Please visit a Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon with experience and expertise in body contouring and armlifts.

There is much controversy over the best place to put an arm lift scar. The two best positions are in the back of the arms and the other is in the inner portion of the arm (bicipital groove). In the back of the arms the patient will not see the scars, but anyone behind you will. In the inner portion of the arms no one will see the scars unless you raise your arms outwards. From El Paso, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

In plastic surgery- scars are least conspicuous when placed in natural border between aesthetic subunits. The best place for an arm lift scar (in my opinion) is in the groove between the biceps and triceps muscle on the inside of the arm. Scars on the beck of the arm are very conspicuous. 

You are correct, etither positions are used. Although most surgeons attempt to design the incision so that it remains hidden when the arm is resting at the side, it is difficult to predict the final resting place of the incision with a high degree of certainty.