What is the best way to minimize scarring from a brachioplasty? (Photo)

 Congratulations on your significant weight loss. The arm lifting procedure is a great procedure to remove excess skin and adipose tissue of the upper arms. However, this procedure carries a major drawback: occasional difficult scarring that may require scar revision (more so, in my experience, than in other procedures).I have tried placement of the resulting scars in the bicipital  groove (between the biceps and triceps muscles)  as well as a long the inferior–lower aspect of the upper arm. I have found higher patient satisfaction with the latter approach. If the excision can be planned such that the scar falls along the frontal aspect of the lower arm, then the scar may be visible only when the patient raises his/her arms.As with many plastic surgical procedures, the planning of the incisions and resulting scar line is critical. However, even with attention to detail, the resulting scars may not be ideal and revisionary surgery is  often necessary to improve the appearance (for example, the width) of the scars.I hope this, and the attached link, helps. Best wishes.

Your final arm scar is based on many factors.  The final arm lift scar depends in part, on you and in part, on your surgeon.  Certain patients have a pre-disposition to forming thick scars or keloids.  The genetics of the condition cannot be changed; however, the appearance of the final scar can be influenced by your surgeon's technique as well as post-operative scar treatment.  Let us look at your contribution to arm scaring.  To determine if you are prone to keloids, you should look at your scars. If your scars are thick and raised, you may have a propensity to develop keloids. Even if your surgeon does a perfect, meticulous job and you strictly adhere to the postoperative instructions, you may still develop a keloid. If you do not have thick, raised scars, it can be reasonably assumed that you should heal well without developing hypertrophic or keloid scars.  Your plastic surgeon's technique is essential to your healing and eventual arm scar. To minimize scarring, the surgical closure should be done in multiple layers to minimize the wound tension.  To further minimize scarring and to decrease swelling (edema), light compression should be applied. Different plastic surgeons have different techniques on how to achieve this light arm compression.  Some plastic surgery to use drains, however, most surgeons do not use drains for an arm lift or brachioplasty.  Post-operative scar treatment also influences your final arm lift scar. After the arm lift wound has healed, tight arm compression and a silicone-based cream are strongly encouraged.  Arm compression is achieved with an arm garment. The arm garment should extend from the forearm to the armpit. Arm compression should continue as long as there is arm swelling or for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks.  Silicone-based creams or strips should be used on a daily basis for 4 to 6 months. It is rare that you would need laser arm scar treatment.  However, if you did require laser arm scar therapy, I would suggest the Erbium:YAG laser.  

An arm lift is the only way currently to recontour your arms as dramatically as you'd like. You can try nonsurgical methods of skin tightening/fat reduction however results tend to be unpredictable and may take several sessions spaced out over the course of several months. scar treatments, such as silicone sheeting and silicone gel, can help reduce the visibility of scars.