I do have "bat wings," (Picture 1), but I think that's normal for a woman nearing 40, so I don't mind too much. My concern is the wrinkly texture of my stretch marks when my arms are at my sides (Picture 2). This makes me ashamed to wear anything sleeveless. I love to dance I'm longing to wear all the strappy numbers everyone else wears in dance competitions! The long scar from a normal arm lift seems like too much of a tradeoff, so would a mini arm lift solve my problem?
Answer: Mini arm lift can work great for certain people There should really never be a standard procedure in plastic surgery. If your surgeon only does something one way then there will be a lot of patients that are not getting the best treatment. Your question about doing a mini-arm lift (brachiaplasty) is a great example. If you have too much skin near the arm pit and the upper arm but are fine elsewhere then you may be able to have a considerably shorter scar. There is no question that the long scar, no matter how perfect it heals, is present once placed. For many patients that have a "bat-wing" that goes down to the elbow (or beyond), it is worth it to them to trade the scar for the improved contour. If you don't need that much skin removed then shorten the scar. Perhaps the trade off is a less tight contour further down the arm, but that may be a great choice in you or others with a similar situation. Plastic surgery to me is really about defining the problem unique to an individual, deciding which options are available, and then helping them to choose the best option for them.Dr Rodger Shortt, Plastic Surgeon in Oakville, Ontario.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Mini arm lift can work great for certain people There should really never be a standard procedure in plastic surgery. If your surgeon only does something one way then there will be a lot of patients that are not getting the best treatment. Your question about doing a mini-arm lift (brachiaplasty) is a great example. If you have too much skin near the arm pit and the upper arm but are fine elsewhere then you may be able to have a considerably shorter scar. There is no question that the long scar, no matter how perfect it heals, is present once placed. For many patients that have a "bat-wing" that goes down to the elbow (or beyond), it is worth it to them to trade the scar for the improved contour. If you don't need that much skin removed then shorten the scar. Perhaps the trade off is a less tight contour further down the arm, but that may be a great choice in you or others with a similar situation. Plastic surgery to me is really about defining the problem unique to an individual, deciding which options are available, and then helping them to choose the best option for them.Dr Rodger Shortt, Plastic Surgeon in Oakville, Ontario.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: Arm lift? I believe an in person consultation would give you the best answers and a detailed exam and evaluation, always see a board certified PS.
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Answer: Arm lift? I believe an in person consultation would give you the best answers and a detailed exam and evaluation, always see a board certified PS.
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January 23, 2018
Answer: Mini-Arm lift Brachioplasty Arm Lift Arm stretch marks Arm reduction Thank you for your question regarding armpit stretch marks and their removal with a mini arm lift. Based on your pictures, I think a mini-arm lift would remove the areas in the upper arm that bother you.There are two types of mini-arm lifts: a crescent and a “T” arm lift. In a crescent mini-arm lift, a crescent area of skin is removed. In the mini-T arm lift, an excision is made in the shape of a T and a little bit of the armpit and the upper inner third of the upper arm skin is removed. The mini-arm lift should remove excess skin and fat in the upper inner third of your arm lift. The benefit of the mini-arm lift is that the incision and resulting scar is well hidden in the armpit. When seeking a mini-arm lift or an arm lift, please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of arm lifts in their career. Travel out-of-state if you must. You do not want to be someone's experiment. Thank you for your questions, if you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen
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January 23, 2018
Answer: Mini-Arm lift Brachioplasty Arm Lift Arm stretch marks Arm reduction Thank you for your question regarding armpit stretch marks and their removal with a mini arm lift. Based on your pictures, I think a mini-arm lift would remove the areas in the upper arm that bother you.There are two types of mini-arm lifts: a crescent and a “T” arm lift. In a crescent mini-arm lift, a crescent area of skin is removed. In the mini-T arm lift, an excision is made in the shape of a T and a little bit of the armpit and the upper inner third of the upper arm skin is removed. The mini-arm lift should remove excess skin and fat in the upper inner third of your arm lift. The benefit of the mini-arm lift is that the incision and resulting scar is well hidden in the armpit. When seeking a mini-arm lift or an arm lift, please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed hundreds of arm lifts in their career. Travel out-of-state if you must. You do not want to be someone's experiment. Thank you for your questions, if you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen
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June 8, 2019
Answer: Arm lift Thanks for your question. An in-person consult will be needed to best determine the optimal procedure, but looking at your pictures I do not think that an arm lift incision limited to your arm pit region (mini) will give you the result that you want. These incisions can be placed towards the lower/inner as pect of the arm to make them as discrete as possible.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
June 8, 2019
Answer: Arm lift Thanks for your question. An in-person consult will be needed to best determine the optimal procedure, but looking at your pictures I do not think that an arm lift incision limited to your arm pit region (mini) will give you the result that you want. These incisions can be placed towards the lower/inner as pect of the arm to make them as discrete as possible.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
December 31, 2017
Answer: An arm lift could help you I think an arm lift could help you because it will tighten your skin. Although you are not a typical candidate for an arm lift, it will remove your stretch marks and give you tightened skin. The problem is that you will end up with a rather significant scar. Talk to your plastic surgeon to decide if it is the right procedure for you. The upper arms are often impacted by the aging process and may hold onto deposits of fat long after weight has been lost elsewhere on the body. If diet and exercise just aren’t cutting it, and you have a desire for arms that look toned and more attractive, then you’re in the right place. During this body contouring procedure, your plastic surgeon will trim away excess, hanging skin and remove stubborn deposits of fat. Then will pull your skin taut so that it conforms to the new contours of your arm. You will emerge from surgery looking firmer, fitter, and more youthful, with arms that better complement the rest of your figure.
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December 31, 2017
Answer: An arm lift could help you I think an arm lift could help you because it will tighten your skin. Although you are not a typical candidate for an arm lift, it will remove your stretch marks and give you tightened skin. The problem is that you will end up with a rather significant scar. Talk to your plastic surgeon to decide if it is the right procedure for you. The upper arms are often impacted by the aging process and may hold onto deposits of fat long after weight has been lost elsewhere on the body. If diet and exercise just aren’t cutting it, and you have a desire for arms that look toned and more attractive, then you’re in the right place. During this body contouring procedure, your plastic surgeon will trim away excess, hanging skin and remove stubborn deposits of fat. Then will pull your skin taut so that it conforms to the new contours of your arm. You will emerge from surgery looking firmer, fitter, and more youthful, with arms that better complement the rest of your figure.
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