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

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.

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.

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

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!

    If the laxity extends all the way to the elbow, the longer incision is needed.   The incision in the armpit can only remove a small amount of redundant skin right at the axilla.  If you had this surgery, you would not notice much of a difference.  The scar can be placed in a variety of locations (inside of arm, back of arm).  Find a plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs HUNDREDS of body contouring procedures each year.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA