Arm lift scare -- will I ever be able to wear sleeveless shirts again?

In an extended brachioplasty, I can put the scar anywhere the patient desires (inside of arm, back of arm).  It is my belief that the incision in the bicipital groove is the most appropriate in most patients as most people during casual observation do not expose the medial aspect of their arms.  The posterior scar is more visible in walking in short sleeve shirts. 
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your inquiry! Depending on the placement of the scar, will determine how it will be seen. Everyone scars differently. There are scar creams, silicone sheets available to help with scars. Lasers can also help reduce the appearance of scars. We would love to meet and discuss your concerns. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your goals.

Hello 55 and counting,
Thank you for your question regarding the armlift scar and whether you’ll be able to wear short sleeves shirts. The ability to wear clothing is completely up to the individual patient. There is no universal rulebook of who can and should wear what clothing. Some people wear clothing that others would never wear. The same is true for postoperative arm scars. Some patients have exceptionally good arm reduction scar results and yet, they will always wear long sleeved shirts. Conversely, there are other patients who have wide, thick arm scars and they may wear bikinis and tank tops. Therefore, the ability to wear short sleeved shirts is not up to your plastic surgeon or even your results. The ability to wear short sleeved shirts after an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty is completely 100% up to you, the patient. Wearing short sleeved clothing really has nothing to do with the results, but more your subjective opinion of the arm lift result.
In terms of the positioning of the arm lift scar, it entirely depends on which arm lift technique is being utilized. There are seven armlift patterns, including arm liposuction: liposuction, crescent, mini, modified T, bicipital groove longitudinal, posterior longitudinal, and complete (from axilla to wrist). In regards to the incision in the upper arm, most plastic surgeons favor the bicipital groove longitudinal arm scar. The reason most plastic surgeons favor this placement of arm lift incision is that most of the time, humans carry their arms by their side. When your arms are by your side, the arm lift scars do not show. All arm with scars show when your arms are raised, except the posterior longitudinal arm lift scar. During this procedure, an incision is made from the triceps to the back of the elbow. This scar is not visible when your arms are raised. However, the scar is entirely visible when your arms are held by your side or the natural resting state of the arm. Therefore, would you rather have the arms scar hidden most of the time (by placing the scar on the inside of the arm) or be visible almost all the time (except when your arms are raised)? Thank you for your question regarding the arm scar and whether you’ll be able to wear sleeveless shirts. I specialize in arm lifts. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, please contact my office. Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 arm lifts. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Hello and thank you for your question. With most of my brachioplasty patients, the scarring is thin, and any pigmentation to the scar fades within the first year postoperatively to be inconspicuous. On the arm, most patients prefer to have the scar on the inside of their arm so that with your arms by your sides there is no indication of the scar, but the scar can also be placed on the back of the arm if you prefer. In order to have the best scars, I would advise seeing a board certified plastic surgeon who has done many of these cases and can show you before and after photos. I would also closely follow postoperative instructions as far as activity and scar care. With my patients, I avoid any tension on the scar with a surgical tape that we change during your appointments. Best of luck.

The concern about the scar is something you need to ask yourself, does the skin sagging bother you enough to get it removed and possibly have a visible scar? Keep in mind that there are different techniques for arm lifts and not all scars are the same. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with ample experience in arm lifts will ensure you're in the best hands possible.All the best,Moises Salama, MD

Yes, it's possible to wear sleeveless shirts again after an arm lift (brachioplasty), but it's essential to understand that scarring is a natural part of the surgical process. The extent and visibility of the scars will depend on various factors, including your individual healing process, the surgical technique used, and how well you care for your scars postoperatively.
Here are some considerations regarding arm lift scars and wearing sleeveless shirts:
1. Scar Placement: Your plastic surgeon will typically place the incisions for an arm lift on the inner side of the upper arm, where they can be less noticeable when your arms are at your sides. However, these scars may still be visible when wearing sleeveless clothing.
2. Scar Maturation: Initially, arm lift scars may appear red, raised, or prominent. Over time, they should fade and flatten as they mature. It's essential to follow your plastic surgeon's scar care instructions to optimize the healing process and minimize scar visibility.
3. Sun Protection: Sun exposure can darken scars and make them more noticeable. It's crucial to protect your scars from the sun by using sunscreen or wearing clothing that covers the area when outdoors.
4. Scar Treatments: Your plastic surgeon may recommend scar treatments such as silicone gel, silicone sheets, or scar massage to help improve the appearance of your arm lift scars over time. These treatments can promote better scar healing and minimize scar visibility.
5. Individual Healing: Everyone's body heals differently, and the appearance of arm lift scars can vary from person to person. Some individuals may have more visible scars than others, while some scars may fade more quickly than expected.
6. Clothing Choices: If you're concerned about the visibility of arm lift scars when wearing sleeveless shirts, you can choose tops with varying sleeve lengths or styles that provide some coverage while still allowing you to feel comfortable and confident.
Ultimately, while arm lift scars may initially be noticeable, they should improve over time with proper care and scar management. Many people find that the benefits of an improved arm contour outweigh concerns about scarring, and they feel comfortable wearing sleeveless clothing again after recovery. If you have specific concerns about your arm lift scars or their impact on your clothing choices, it's best to discuss them with your plastic surgeon, who can provide guidance and recommendations based on your individual situation.

Hi 55 and counting,
The scar is always going to be present but it does fade with time. Some of that depends on your genetics as well as how well you take care of it after surgery. It will show mostly when you raise your arms, but otherwise it should be tucked in to your side the rest of the time. You can try wearing a shirt with the seam where the scar would be to test it. Blessings on your journey!

Hello! Thank you for your question. The location of an arm lift scar can vary slightly depending on patient preference. The scar can be positioned on the back side of the arms (meaning that people could see the scar when they are walking behind you; the scar heals best when it is here), on the inside of the arms (meaning that people won't necessarily see the scar when you are talking to them at; the scar here heals sub-optimally), or somewhere in between these locations. If you decide to pursue surgery, it’s very important that you find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person, address your concerns, discuss your options, and tailor an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic goals. Best of luck!

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Whenever I first meet a patient desiring brachioplasty, I discuss the scarring in detail. Yes, there will be a scar from elbow to armpit. Yes, there may be skin contouring at the armpit with additional scars. The scars will initially be extremely noticeable, progressing and fading over 6-12 months. But there always WILL be a visible scar. But you will eliminate the loose skin and soft tissue which most likely has made short sleeve wear unsightly. It is a trade-off. We usually place the scar on the inner aspect of the upper arm to minimize its visibility.
It is best to be in optimal health and at optimal weight when undergoing the procedure.

If the scar is going to bother you then avoid surgery - safer and saves you money.However the question you asked has a different answer: It is entirely up to you whether you wear sleeveless tops after a Brachioplasty - the scar will always be visible, but so what....why let your perception of what others will think interfere with what you wear? You will have traded a beautiful contour for a linear scar from elbow to armpit. The scars usually fade but are never invisible.BestMark