Arm Liposuction Incision Through the Arm?

In order to get access to the arm for liposuction, we sometimes make incisions in the armpit and at the elbow. If a good result is obtained with just the armpit incision, then the elbow incision is spared. However, if extra sculpting is required then the elbow incision is made. The access incisions heal very well and are barely visible at about 1 year. Good luck!

The simple answer is that either the elbow or armpit, axillary, incision is acceptable and in the hands of a talented plastic surgeon you should get a great result. In general very small incisions are made in areas that tend to be less noticeable so that postoperative scarring is not a problem in the vast majority of patients

Many doctors use an axillary (armpit) insertion site as well as the elbow. It improves the result when you can pass the liposuction cannula through different directions to attack the same spot. The axillary insertions site is well hidden.
 

It is best to let your surgeon do the surgery they way they normally do it. It is amazing to me that people come in a start asking the surgeon to do the surgery a different way than they are used to performing it. If you trust the surgeon, then it is best to rely on the skills and experience of the surgeon rather than dictating how they should perform the surgery. I don't go out to eat and tell the chef at the restaurant how to cook my meal, I don't go on an airplane and tell the pilot what altitude to fly, likewise, I would not start telling the surgeon how to perform the surgery. Hopefully this is understandable. Good luck.

In general, a surgeon will use two separate incisions to perform liposuction in one area.  So yes, it would be reasonable to use both an armpit and also an elbow incision.  In general, these incsisions are small and heal well and do not leave a significant scar.

 You can expect a good result with either approach, and with time both incisions will heal very well.  If you trust your surgeon and have worked with him in the past, I think you're in good shape.
 

Many physicians use a combination of both incisions but they should be barely visible in either case.
Incisions near the armpit can also reduce fatty deposits over the posterior axillary fold or shoulder which are commonly associated with full arms and so I tend to prefer this incision as well.

Neutral,
As plastic surgeons we are always looking for ways to hide scars. Although we like to leave our mark, we like it to be the result, not the scar. Your surgeon is likely choosing the least conspicuous location for your scar, through which he/she can provide you with the expected result. Good luck!

The choice of incisions depends on two things: surgeon's preference and patient indications.
If you have predominantly fat on the lower part of the upper arm, then an elbow only incision would work very well.
If the fat is mainly on the upper portion, then an armpit incision might be best.
However, if the fat is somewhat evenly distributed then both incisions might be needed. Keep in mind that these are very small incisions and do not usually draw attention.
Have faith in the surgeon you chose, and good luck with the procedure.

Liposuction can be performed through multiple different access sites. No one incisions is the best. If your doctor feels that it can be accomplished successfully near your armpit than it should be OK.