When
women undergo brachioplasty surgery an incision is made from the elbow to the
axilla. Through this incision, excess skin and fat can be removed in both the
transverse and vertical dimensions of the upper arm. The exact placement of
this incision is dependent upon several
variables.
In the
majority of cases, the incision is placed on the inner arm between the biceps
and triceps muscles. In this position the scars are well hidden when the arms
are at the patient’s side. When patients raise their arms, the scars become
more noticeable.
Occasionally,
women prefer scars that are more posteriorly located. In this position, scars
don’t tend to spread as much because the skin is thicker in this location.
It’s
important to understand that scarring is inevitable with this procedure,
irregardless of the incision placement. The most important variable in scar
formation is the patients wound healing biology. This varies from patient to
patient and for this reason incision placement needs to be individualized.
If
you’re considering brachioplasty, it’s important to discuss these issues with a
board certified plastic surgeon before proceeding. This surgeon should be able
to formulate a treatment plan that addresses this issue.
