An arm lift removes loose, sagging skin on the upper arm that some patients refer to as “bat wings.” It’s commonly performed after significant weight loss leaves flabbiness that negatively impacts a patient’s appearance and self-esteem. Others may present due to aging, which can lead to excessive upper arm excess. While the surgery can be life-changing, worries over scarring often prevent some patients from pursuing their aesthetic goals. We’ll outline what arm lift scars look like and how they heal, so you know what to expect before your surgery.
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What Do Arm Lift Scars Look Like?
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is designed to eliminate excess skin and small pockets of fat from the upper arm, creating a leaner, more youthful contour. Most arm lifts require an incision that extends from the chest wall, through the armpit, and to the elbow to allow for the excision of all the loose skin under the arm and to clean up the armpit area of excess skin.
While the length of the scar is concerning to many patients, most incisions heal into scars that are less visible over time. Most patients who undergo brachioplasty discover the scar is a small price to pay for the ability to wear their favorite clothing styles with confidence once again.
What Is the Aly-Posterior Scar Arm Lift?
Dr. Al Aly developed his arm lift technique over 20 years ago, which he calls the Aly-posterior scar brachioplasty. His incision aims to eliminate excess hanging skin and fat, while matching the shape of the underlying muscles to create a more natural, youthful upper arm contour. The incision extends from the armpit and upper chest wall to the elbow, allowing him to remove all of the skin under the arm to the “posterior fold” that transitions from the upper arm to the upper chest wall.
Dr. Aly places his incisions toward the back of the arm so the scars are not visible during regular interactions. His technique allows for internal suturing to eliminate the need for postoperative drains and promote smoother incision healing, minimizing scar visibility once healing is complete.
Brachioplasty Scars: The Early Weeks of Recovery
Immediately following your surgery, your incisions will likely be raised and red, with some swelling and bruising in the area. The area may feel tight and mildly to moderately tender for a few weeks. Dr. Aly combines the use of a long-acting local anesthetic injected in the wound at the time of surgery, with a complete “non-narcotic” regimen of postoperative pain medications to control discomfort. In over 30 years of practice, this combination has led to the best pain control, considerably better than previous narcotic-based regimens. Dr. Aly does not use compression garments for brachioplasty unless the arm reduction surgery is combined with other procedures.
Dr. Aly has a non-narcotic, no drain practice, which means this regimen extends to all of his body contouring and nasal procedures.
The body’s natural healing processes go to work right away, building collagen to bind the wound and regenerate tissue and skin. You will see your incision flatten over the weeks following surgery, and the red color will likely fade to pink. Dr. Aly will provide you with instructions on caring for your incision to support healing and ensure the best possible outcome.
1 Year Arm Lift Scars: The Evolution of the Scar
As your scar matures, collagen fibers continue to strengthen, making it less noticeable. It can take up to one year or even longer for a scar to fully mature, so you will need to be patient as you wait to see the outcome of your surgical incision. You can view before-and-after arm lift photos to see how your scar may look once it has healed completely.
Tips to Improve the Appearance of Your Brachioplasty Scar
While you are waiting for your scar to heal, you can take some steps to support the recovery process and optimize the appearance of your scar:
- Follow all postoperative instructions carefully
- Keep the arms elevated for the first two weeks
- Do not strain your arms during your recovery process
- Attend all your postoperative appointments with Dr. Aly
- Eat a healthy, high-protein diet and stay hydrated
- Protect the incision from direct sun exposure and wear sunscreen
- Use silicone scar sheets or a topical ointment over the incision, if you desire, and once you get permission from Dr. Aly
- Gently massage the surgical site to break down scar tissue, again once Dr. Aly gives you permission
Ready to Learn More About Arm Lifts in Dallas, Texas?
An arm lift is an effective way to eliminate skin sagging and enhance the upper arm contours after significant weight loss. Dr. Aly’s proprietary Aly-posterior scar arm lift delivers superior results with minimal visible scarring.To learn more about brachioplasty in Dallas, call our office today at (214) 645-2313 or complete our online contact form.