Can an arm lift tighten skin around elbow?

Hello cauliflowerisaflower. Thank you for your question regarding whether an arm lift can tighten the skin around the elbow.

Yes, an arm lift can address some of the loose skin and fat around the elbow area. However, it’s crucial to discuss your specific concerns and goals with your plastic surgeon during your consultation. By doing so, your surgeon can tailor the procedure to best meet your expectations, ensuring that the elbow area receives the attention it needs. In some cases, an elbow lift might be considered if the skin laxity is significant.

Good luck with your consultation, and I hope this answers your question regarding tightening the skin around the elbow with an arm lift.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

The arm lift can be extended to below the elbow to tighten the skin. However, routinely the incision ends above the elbow.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Hi! Yes it can tighten especially if you use VASER ultrasound liposuction. The surgical tightening plus the debunking with liposuction and the tightening with VASER is a winning combination! Come to LaVie Plastic Surgery Institute for an in person or virtual consulation.

In some patients who have significant skin laxity in the area of elbow and upper forearm, skin excision (scar) may need to be extended bellow elbow in order to correct skin redundancy. In person consultation is the only way to have your questions properly answered. Good luck.

Elbow area depends- if lot lose skin from upper arm to forearm then elbow area will have skin removed and scar will go past elbow.

If minimal, Vaser ultrasound liposuction may offer some skin tightening of elbow without removing skin scar.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations.

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, primarily addresses sagging skin and excess fat in the upper arm area. It typically focuses on the area between the armpit and the elbow. Here’s how it might affect skin around the elbow:
**1. Skin Tightening:
• Effectiveness: An arm lift can tighten the skin along the entire upper arm, including around the elbow. The degree of tightening depends on the amount of excess skin and fat present.
• Limits: While the procedure can improve the appearance of the skin around the elbow, it may not completely eliminate all sagging or loose skin if there’s significant excess.
**2. Additional Considerations:
• Elasticity: The outcome also depends on your skin's elasticity and how much it can retract after surgery.
• Scarring: The procedure involves an incision from the elbow to the armpit, which can leave a scar along the inner arm. This is a trade-off for improved contour and skin tightening.
**3. Post-Surgery Care:
• Recovery: Following an arm lift, proper care and following your plastic surgeon's instructions are crucial for optimal results. This includes managing swelling, avoiding strenuous activities, and keeping follow-up appointments.
If the primary concern is tightening around the elbow, it’s a good idea to discuss this specifically with your plastic surgeon. They can assess whether an arm lift is the right procedure for you or if other options might be better suited to your needs.

Usually, the incision for the arm tuck stops just before the elbow, but it can be extended if needed. However, most of us do not continue the straight line across the elbow, but will place a zig zag scar because of the joint. If you do not have too much skin, treatments like Renuvion and Morpheus can be very helpful.

If there is significant lax skin at the elbow or beyond the incision may be extended to incorporate more skin removal. Enough skin must be left in order to allow full movement of the elbow. I encourage you to begin by visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation to learn more.