Full Brachioplasty or could I possibly get good results with short scar arm lift? (Photos)

Based on your pictures and limited history and without a thorough physical examination, I believe you would be a good candidate for the mini arm lift or short scar arm lift. You have a mild amount of fat in the upper arm and a mild to moderate amount of the arm skin elasticity. During the short scar arm lift or mini arm lift, an incision is made in the armpit. Crescent area of arm skin and fat is removed close to the armpit. The incision is localized in the armpit. If you need slightly more arm skin removed an extension is made from the armpit downward several inches. This results in a t-shaped scar. Either way, I think you can avoid the long arm lift scar. When seeking an arm lift procedure, please be sure your selected surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. To find an arm lift expert, you may need to travel out of state. None the less, you should choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of arm lifts. Please examine their before and after galleries closely. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the mini or short scar on the list. If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, please contact my office.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your photos and question.
CAST Liposuction combined with mini-brachioplasty produces excellent upper arm contour. Liposuction of upper arm contouring can produce excellent results in individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity. Additional skin tightening can be achieved with J-Plasma Cool Helium Plasma.  I recommend the Circumferential para-Axillary Superficial Tumescent (CAST) technique for upper arm contouring. The use of tumescent anesthesia, micro cannula, and meticulous post operative care maximizes skin retraction and can give excellent improvement. If there is skin laxity, a brachioplasty may be required to tighten the skin. The minibrachioplasty is ideal for correcting the loose skin in the upper third of the inner arm. An ellipse of skin is removed from the axilla (arm pit) and the thin skin of the upper inner arm is advanced and tightened. The scar generally heals well and is well hidden, allowing you to wear short sleeves and sleeveless blouses. For certain patients, dermal tightening with J-plasma can allow you to avoid scar as it produces excellent skin tightening.
 I generally try to avoid performing a full Brachioplasty unless the skin is extremely loose. In such cases the resulting improvement in the contour of the arm can be dramatic, but the scars are difficult to hide.
Please consult with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Best regards,
Andrew Lyos, M.D., FACS

Thank you for your question and photos. While a photo is no substitute for an in person consultation, it appears you may not need a lift at all. Circumferential arm liposuction decreases the size of the arm and leads to tightening of the skin envelope. I recommend you consult with a plastic surgeon for a more specific exam and discussion of your surgical options. Best of luck. Clayton Crantford, MD