Arm tattoo excision during arm lift or brachioplasty?

Congratulations on having lost over hundred pounds. Thank you for your question regarding removal of an arm tattoo during a brachioplasty. Unfortunately, I do NOT recommend removal of this band-like arm tattoo. Removing your band-like biceps tattoo with direct excision can significantly compromise the blood supply to the forearm and hand. In addition, if an incision is made completely around the circumference of the arm, it will severely impact and alter the lymphatic drainage of the arm. The lymphatic drainage channels drain fluid in your hand and forearm. This means if the tattoo is cut out in a band like fashion, this will lead to chronic lifelong hand and forearm swelling. DO NOT DO IT!Therefore, instead, I would suggest a formal arm lift or brachioplasty. This incision would extend from the armpit to the axilla. This would remove a significant portion of the inner arm tattoo. For the removal of the rest of the arm tattoo, I would suggest laser tattoo removal. There are some exceptionally good lasers that are fine-tuned to tattoo removal.I hope this answers your question regarding surgical excision of your biceps tattoo. If you have any other questions regarding arm lift or brachioplasty, please not hesitate to contact my office.

It is very likely that your tattoo may be removed during  your surgery. It can not be confirmed however, until you have a consultation with your surgeon. Please engage a board certified surgeon and be very specific on your expected outcome so you and your doctor are clear on the final expectations for the tattoo removal. 

Thank you for your question.  First, congrats on the weight loss!  Without photos, it is very difficult to tell you what would be a possibility for you from surgery to remove excess skin while also removing the tattoo(s).  I would not recommend a reverse arm lift nonetheless.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

If a person has a tattoo which is within the area of armskin that is going to be removed then, certainly, the tattoo will have to be removed or substantially altered by the armlet.  I've seen patients who have had the whole range of tattoos. and I've had to work with what the patients wants (to keep or to excise).I'm not quite sure what is meant by a "reverse" armlift."  I suppose you mean that instead of removing the loose skin leaving a scar on the inside of the arm (the usual way) you wonder whether that incision/scar could be placed on the outside of the arm.  I would hate to make an armlift scar on the outside of one's arm.  You say it wouldn't bother you in exchange of an arm with a tattoo and loose skin but once you see it you just might change your mind having such an obvious scar.  Additionally, instead of making an incision along the inner arm where the skin is very loose and thin, if the incision is made on the outside it would be less possible to get as tight a result as you would want in the long term.  

You asked an interesting question.  If the tattoos bother you, then certainly they can be removed, at the expense of visible scars, and the time to do it is when you have some excess skin to use.  See an experienced plastic surgeon and see if they can formulate a surgical plan that can achieve both goals.  Ask them where the scars will be and whether or not the surgery can be performed in one step. Most experience plastic surgeons would find this to be an interesting challenge.

Realistically you will probably not be able to remove all of the tattoos with a brachioplasty (arm lift).  Four inches of skin excess is a lot of skin to remove even after losing 100 pounds.  I would recommend meeting with a plastic surgeon that performs post-bariatric body contouring as they will have the most experience with performing arm lifts.  You may consider having the Picosure procedure performed to try and remove the majority of the tattoo and then use excision to remove the areas that don't see significant improvement with the Picosure. Another option may be excising tattoo and then placing a skin graft to cover the portion that the surgeon can't otherwise get closed.  Scheduling a consult to evaluate your skin excess and tattoos will be your next step.  Congratulations on your weight loss.

Without you posting any photos would be a pure guess response! I think the exchange of a tattoo scar to a very noticed anterior scar in reverse brachioplasty is NOT worth the risk. Besides the increase complications of doing anterior excisions... I would pass...

It would be helpful to see a picture, but regardless, an arm lift can be customized to remove the tattoo assuming that all of it can be removed and in the usual direction of the incision.  Your plastic surgeon will need to "think outside the box" and not all are comfortable with that.Best of luck

Thank you for your question.   Plastic surgeons are seeing an increase in the number of patients wanting to have tattoos removed.   It's rarely an easy process.   In your situation I would not recommend excising the tattoo.   The incision for the best contour outcome of a brachioplasty runs on the inner aspect of the arm from the arm pit to the elbow.   You're describing a circumferential scar that may not heal well and will certainly not correct the excess skin you now have from the weight loss.  I recommend undergoing the brachioplasty and leave the tattoo alone for now.   

In general, your surgeon can place the scar in different locations based upon your goals.  Some patients want the scar toward the back of the inner arm or centered on the inner arm between the biceps and triceps. It sounds like you have lost a lot of weight so I would anticipate that you have a lot of excess skin.  I would recommend consultation with a plastic surgeon and discuss scar location with him or her.  You very well may be able to remove the 4 inch by 4 inch tattoo and still have a very acceptable scar location and quality.  I think it would be difficult to remove the arm band tattoo without a very unacceptable scar.  Good luck and congratulations on your weight loss!