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?

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.

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.

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

Answers (10)

Answer: Loose skin

Answer: Loose skin

Answer: Arm lift

Answer: Arm lift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.