Arm Lift Incision...can It Be Placed in the Armpit? (photo)

Question

I have an armlift scheduled in August and I wanted to know if the incision can be done by the arm pit horizontally or if it has to go from the armpit vertically to the elbow? I want to have this procedure but I am terrified that my arms will worse with the scars...

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

It's not unusual for patients to develop redundant saggy upper arm tissue after a significant weight loss. When this situation arises, a variety of treatment options are available. The specific choice will depend upon the patient's aesthetic goals and anatomic findings.Although your pictures are helpful, it's virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation without a physical examination. In the absence of an examination, your pictures suggest a significant amount of excess skin. This excess skin will almost certainly require a brachioplasty with an incision along the inner aspect of the arm. In some cases, an axillary incision will be necessary, as well.It's important to realize that this type of procedure involves a series of trade-offs between excess saggy arm skin and additional scarring. For this reason, it's tempting for patients to opt for procedures that have less scarring. Under these circumstances, patients may be left with residual skin sag.If you're considering this type of procedure, it's important to thoroughly discuss these issues with a board certified plastic surgeon. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  With age and/or weight changes, the upper arms can hold a lot of excess fatty tissue and develop skin laxity.  An arm lift procedure helps to contour the upper arms by reducing excess skin and fat.  The incisions can be hidden in the armpit for those with a moderate degree of laxity or along the vertical length of the upper and inner arm for those with more skin excess. You will see an improvement with an axillary incision alone in your situation.  However, you would see a greater improvement when you extend the incision out towards the elbow.  I also offer a hybrid approach where based on your T-shirt length, I use an axillary incision with a shorter vertical length incision.  This would still allow a more skin retraction than an axillary incision alone.The results are extremely satisfying.  I would recommend that you visit with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss your options in more detail.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear Mimi877,You have Type 3 arms.  This means you have excess arm skin and fat that goes to the elbows. An armpit or  axillary incision will not have much effect on the skin and fat around your elbow.  For Type III arms, the best treatment is arm liposuction combined with an incision that goes from the armpit to the elbow.  The arm lift or arm reduction procedure takes approximately three to four hours.  The arm lift or brachioplasty is performed best under general anesthesia. After surgery, you will need to wear compression garments or 4 to 6 weeks. This will help minimize swelling, and assists in flattening the scar. All scars fade with time. Most patients are significantly happy with their arm reduction surgeries.I hope this helps to answer your arm lift questions.Sincerely,Dr. Katzen

Gregory T. Lynam, MD · Answer

Your concerns are valid and that is why I show pictures of the scars to allow the patient to make up their mind if it is right for them. The contour improvement is so great that patients are willing to accept the scars. Find a doctor you trust and review their photos. Not all doctors perform this type of surgery so be particular in finding a board certified doctor in your area.

	Good Luck!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture. Although I cannot give you specific advice, some general information may be helpful to you.

	Arm lifting surgery can be an excellent operation for the right patient.  The ideal patient has loose skin/adipose tissue of the upper arms ( sometimes patients called the area “bat wings”),  especially common after significant weight loss.  This operation is best done when patients have achieved a long-term stable weight.

	 

	Understandably, one of the main concerns/downsides of the arm lift surgery is a resulting scar. Careful planning of the operation is critical  in executing the operation and determining the final position of the resulting scar.  In my opinion, a scar that ends up along the very lower border of the upper arm is the best tolerated scar,  since it is hard to see from the front or back when a patient's arms are by his/her side.

	You may find it attached link helpful as you do your research.

	Best wishes.

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Arm Lift Incision...can It Be Placed in the Armpit? (photo)

Answers (10)

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.