Mini brachioplasty under armpit only? (Photo)

Question

I don’t want to do a full arm lift/brachioplasty surgery as I’m not over weight nor have fat to remove from my arms. I have very saggy under arm pit skin and it really bothers me. I saw a doctor for lipo but they said because there are lymph nodes there, they don’t recommend doing any surgery procedure under the arm pit. Is there such a thing as a mini brachioplasty just for the under armpit area?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your armpit region. In your case, you need a procedure called a crescent brachioplasty or a crescent arm lift. During this procedure, an incision is made in the armpit, and a crescent area of the armpit's excess skin and fat is removed. This is done from the front to the back. Even though there are lymph nodes and sweat glands and nerves, arteries and veins in this region, the procedure can be safely performed. Liposuction will not fix this area because you have excess skin, not excess fat. Therefore, I would highly suggest a crescent arm lift. Thank you for your question regarding a mini brachioplasty under the armpit region.

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.)

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, excess skin can be excised in that area, but it will leave a scar and sometimes does give tightness when you raise your arms overhead.

Ahmad H. Ahmadi, MD · Answer

A transverse incision (side to side) within your armpits can remove just the saggy skin in the area. Your photos don’t show much fatty tissue in the armpit, so liposuction is not necessarily the way to go. These scars are well hidden if they are not extended to far to the front and back and generally heal well.

John A. Kotis, DO, FACS, FACOS · Answer

Hi
Thank you for your question. I just finished a medial brachioplasty this morning. The answer is yes you can perform a medial brachioplasty or axillary brachioplasty to remove the saggy skin under your arm pit and extending to the proximal portion of the arm. I perform this procedure many times and have excellent success with it. It has to be done on the apporopriate patient. I feel you would be a good candidate, however your pictures are limited.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It is possible to have excess skin removed from the axilla area without undergoing a full arm lift.  It's difficult to tell if you are a good candidate without further photos or an examination.  I encourage you to begin by visiting with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more.

Olivier Deigni, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your pictures and your questions. It is difficult to adequately assess your tissues with the pictures that you sent. There is likely some skin excision procedure that can be performed to help treat that area for you. I recommend you see a plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring and can answer all your questions. Best wishes!

Mini brachioplasty under armpit only? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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