Would a mini arm lift be sufficient enough for me? Is there a way to get rid of extra elbow skin? (photos)

Question

Would a mini arm lift be sufficient enough? Either with a T-incision down to cuff length or a crescent incision? With any arm lift is there a way to get rid of the extra hanging elbow skin?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions regarding whether a mini arm lift is sufficient based on your history and anatomy. In addition, is there any different way to get rid of extra elbow skin? Thank you for your question on how to get rid of this area. In examining your pictures, a mini arm lift or brachioplasty would not be the correct choice of surgery. Neither would the T incision. The best arm lift would be a longitudinal brachioplasty or arm reduction. During this procedure, an incision would be made from your armpit to the elbow. The incision is placed between the biceps and the triceps in the bicipital groove. At the elbow, the incision is placed on the medial epicondyle or your inner elbow bone. Then to get rid of the excess skin and fat around the elbow, a 90-degree turn is taken behind the elbow towards the lateral epicondyle or your upper elbow.
Some people call this the letter J arm lift. I typically perform this procedure under general anesthesia. This brachioplasty or arm lift/reduction takes me about three hours. I don't use drains. Plan on a two-week recovery and garments for approximately six weeks. Therefore, I would suggest an incision from the armpit to the elbow, then a 90-degree turn at the elbow. I do not suggest extending the incision past the elbow onto the forearm to eliminate the elbow skin. Remember, this is elbow skin, not forearm skin. I hope my answers help to answer your question. Please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. 
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.)

Salvador Medina, MD · Answer

Hello Cheerful66108. In your case, to have the best result we have to use an extended incision, that we can do beyond the elbow to adjust the skin in that area, to the arm pit and down into the inframammary fold to adjust the skin in the lateral part of the chest and back. It is a long scar but it is the only way to adjust as best as possible the skin of the arm.
Dr. Medina

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Cheerful66108,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like you would beenfit from arm lift. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You are neither a candidate for a mini arm lift or any no surgical skin tightening procedure. You have substantial circumferential skin redundancy that requires a long scar to the elbow. Place on the inside of the arm and using consistent tape scar therapy, your incisions should become inconspicuous with time.

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Based on your photos, you have significant excess skin of the medial arms. This would be best treated with a Brachioplasty to remove as much of the excess skin as possible

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You could have the regular arm tuck and extend the incision just past the elbows if needed. the mini tuck just works on the upper arms. You might get improvement with minimal invasive radiofrequency like Renuvion as well.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the provided photos a mini arm lift would not be sufficient to get you good results.  A full brachiolplasty would be needed.  The incision could be placed on the inner aspect of the arm to best hide it.  I've included a video on the procedure that I hope you find helpful.

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

Hi
 thank you for your question and pics you will require a full brachioplasty. the incision extends from the arm pit to the elbow. i have perfected the technique and place the incision in the posterior aspect of the arm to keep the incision hidden. The medial brachioplasty or the limited incision only addresses the medial portion of the upper arm. the problem with this is that it doesnt address the loose skin by the elbow. i would seek a board certified plastic surgeon to help you with your choice.

Omer Sagir, MD · Answer

Hello dear,
Thank you for the photos you have provided. But I would need your medical records to answer this question in a safer way. 
A mini arm-lift wouldn't be enough to get the results you desire. The cut must start from the beginning of your arm, the bottom part, and it goes until the elbow. The longer the incision is, the more skin we can extract. I do understand patients don't like to have scars but sometimes, it is a rather small sacrifice when you think about your physical appearance in the long term. 
Seems like you lost a lot of weight and now you are dealing with the saggy skin issue. With a few procedures, you can get a much better appearance for your body! Keep up the good spirit!

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on the posted photos, you are a weight loss patient? The excess skin is the complete upper arm +, so you need "extended brachioplasty" (past the elbow). You can not have mini arm lift....Fee $10,000. Best to virtual consult with...

Would a mini arm lift be sufficient enough for me? Is there a way to get rid of extra elbow skin? (photos)

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