Candidate for short scar arm lift? (Photo)

Question

I have wrinkly skin in the arm pit area, and my grandmas bat wings. I am not looking to have the long scar on the arm, but was wondering if a short scar arm lift might help with the armpit flab and crinkly sagging skin in the upper arm? Could it be performed with other procedures? Recovery time? and would scar be visible? I am late 50's, very active and work out - I just can't seem to get a handle on these arms.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello JR, OE9999 in Cleveland,
Thank you for reaching out with your question about the suitability of a short scar arm lift for your case, and for providing your pictures and history. After examining the photos of your arms, there are three key factors to consider:
Excess skin and fat from the armpit to the elbow.
The presence of stretch marks.
Being over the age of 50.
These factors indicate that a short scar arm lift is unlikely to give you the results you need. This procedure is typically more suited for younger patients with less loose skin, particularly those who have minimal excess skin and fat in the upper inner third of their arm. As you have excess skin and fat extending to the middle and lower thirds of your upper arm, near your elbow, a long scar arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is more appropriate.
In a long scar arm lift, liposuction from the armpit to the elbow is performed, and excess skin and fat are removed. Most plastic surgeons would recommend this procedure over a short scar lift in your case. It is advisable to consider the long-term benefits and opt for the surgery that meets your needs. In this instance, a long scar arm lift is likely to provide a more satisfactory outcome.
I hope this clarifies your query regarding your candidacy for a short scar arm lift. Wishing you all the best with your decision.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Based upon your photos, you would benefit from a significant amount of tightening, or a extended brachioplasty.  In most people the axillary arm lift is an inadequate treatment because it removes very little skin.   Because the laxity extends all the way to the elbow, the longer incision is needed.  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. Most of the time I will use the inner arm placement.  Adding other procedures to a brachioplasty will depend upon the expertise of the surgeon and your medical history.   Surgery should not extend beyond 6 hours.  I have done many arm lifts and many arm lifts in combination with TTs, breast lifts, BBLs, and liposuctionMake sure you have at least six to eight weeks to heal completely following a brachioplasty because wound separation can occur. Working out at the gym before and after brachioplasty can improve muscle tone and maintain optimal results.  
Find a board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs HUNDREDS of body contouring procedures each year, has favorable patient reviews, and untouched before and after photos.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Joel M. Stewart, Jr., MD · Answer

Unfortunately, I think you would be disappointed with the results from a short scar arm lift. There is too much tissue to address.
Good luck.

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  From you photographs it appears that you are a more suitable candidate for a full arm lift (Brachioplasty) that involves an incision that extends from above your elbow onto your armpit.  A nice uniform contour of your upper arm would be achieved with this procedure with loss of the redundant fat and skin, referred to, as you mentioned, "Bat Wings". Recovery time would be about 3 weeks before you can resume most activities, and 6 weeks until you can participate in heavy exercise.  An arm lift can be performed with other procedures.  Overall scar outcome is patient-based and variable.  Be sure to seek a consultation with an aesthetic plastic surgeon who addresses all
your concerns and discusses the surgery details including the risks and
benefits of the procedure, recovery time, and post-operative course. 
Also, be sure to see plenty of before-and-after pictures in real women, and not
just computer-generated images, who have a similar upper arm appearance to yours, and preferably at different time
frames (3 weeks out, 3 months out, etc) to more accurately predict your own surgical
outcome.  And lastly, I think the most important component of the
consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon.  If you don’t feel you have a good connection
with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best
surgeon for you.

Good luck.

Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPH

Harvard-trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Deborah Sillins, MD · Answer

you are not a short scar candidate. You have a lot of skin that needs to be removed. If performed properly the scar should be at the very bottom of the arm.

Scott J. Engel, MD, FACS · Answer

Arm contouring is not as easy as people think. Unfortunately most people who need arm lifts are not candidates for short scar procedures. Like everything else mini or short scars give mini results. Given the amount of excess skin you have it would be best to have a full arm lift. But it comes with the downside of a scar on the back of your arm. Recovery is 1 week but 3 weeks for full activity. There are other areas of the body where mini and short scars can be great, like the face or tummy but not the arm in most people.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Hi Jroe.I don't think you're a candidate for short scar arm lift. I believe you're better suited for a posterior brachioplasty approach. This will take off more skin and leave your arm in better shape. If the scar worries your then consider Embrace Scar Prevention.Best wishes, Dr. ALDO

Damon Thomas, FRACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. From your pictures, it appears that you would need more correction than a short scar lift will give you. Because there are a variety of options out there for body contouring, my best advice would be for you to schedule an appointment for a consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon. They can examine you and offer recommendations regarding what procedure will give you the best results according to your unique case. Good luck!

Jeanne A. Scanland, MD · Answer

Those are all good questions. It appears that you have considerable laxity of the skin of your arm along with increased subcutaneous tissues (fatty tissue). If your skin quality was good, liposuction alone could give you a very nice result. Since you do not have good quality skin, liposuction alone would leave you with more loose skin. Liposuction with laser which can help shrink up the skin would not solve all the laxity problem of your skin. A short scar in the armpit would not solve your problem since you have laxity of skin along the entire arm. 
  
For best results you would need liposuction and excision of skin known as a brachioplasty. The scar would go from your armpit down to your elbow but it could be placed along the inner edge of your arm making the scar less visible. These scars usually heal very nicely. 
  
I tell my patients to not do any heavy lifting for 6 weeks but most people go back to work within one week as long as they are not doing a heavy labor job. You will have some bruising and swelling that usually resolves in 2 to 3 weeks. I do not use drains. Patients are comfortable and use little pain medicines because I blocked the incision with numbing medicine when I finish the surgery.
  You will love your results because it will make you feel more confident in sleeveless outfits. You will no longer be waving with your arms instead of your hands!

Carmen Kavali, MD · Answer

No, you are not a good candidate for a short scar arm lift.  It would leave you with loose skin on your arm, and the point of an arm lift is to correct loose skin.  A short scar arm lift is really only appropriate for someone who ONLY has loose skin right near their armpit, not any loose skin further down the arm.  I think a short scar arm lift would leave you with regret.I hope this helps.  Best wishes,Dr. Kavali

Candidate for short scar arm lift? (Photo)

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