When loose skin is predominantly located around the upper section of the arm, as opposed to extending from the armpit to the elbow, a mini arm lift may be the more suitable option.
The major distinction of a mini arm lift is the degree of skin removal as a shorter skin removal can be done through a shorter incision. However, it also indicates the limitation a mini arm lift has for the correction of laxity in the upper arm.
What is a Mini Arm Lift?
A mini arm lift is a procedure that removes excess skin from a smaller segment along the upper arm and is more distal to the armpit.
A mini arm lift is also referred to as a limited-incision arm lift, a minimal incision arm lift and a mini brachioplasty.
This arm lift procedure specializes in cases that do not require the more extensive removal of skin seen in a standard or extended arm lift.
Who is Considered a Suitable Patient?
A mini arm lift can be an option when skin laxity is mild and predominantly limited to the upper section of the arm.
A candidate can be assessed by taking the following factors into consideration:
- The amount of loose skin.
- Where the skin laxity is located.
- Skin laxity.
- The underlying fat.
- General health.
- Weight stability.
- Expectations regarding scarring and the result.
Different surgical options may be more suited to someone with loose skin that extends farther down the arm toward the elbow.
Mini Arm Lift vs Full Arm Lift
A mini arm lift and a full or traditional arm lift can be differentiated by the amount of skin removal and not simply by the name.
A mini arm lift specifically targets the area closer to the armpit, whereas a full arm lift is able to address even more dermal elasticity along the arms. As a result, this affects where the incision will be as well as how long it is going to be.
Where Is the Mini Arm Lift Incision?
A mini arm lift incision is normally located along the armpit crease. This location will even allow the scar to be more easily concealed compared to the longer scar associated with a full arm lift. However, a shorter scar means a more limited removal of sagging skin. If a client is especially bothered by where a scar will be located, they may want to find out more about arm lift scars and how the location of a scar changes with the extent of the arm lift surgery.
Can Liposuction Be Used with a Mini Arm Lift?
Some clients may have mild skin looseness as well as localized fat from the upper arm. In a limited number of cases, a mini arm lift may also include liposuction, in order to improve the arm contour. However, liposuction does not eliminate loose skin; therefore, the decision to combine the procedures will be based on the client’s primary concern, whether it is fat, skin looseness, or both. In order to help our clients better understand the difference between these procedures, we also offer a comparison on our website between arm lifts and liposuction.
How Is a Mini Arm Lift Performed?
In this procedure, the surgeon will first examine the client’s upper arm and then draw a line to help indicate what skin will be excised. An incision will be made near the armpit, and then that excess skin will be removed. If warranted, liposuction will be performed. The skin will then be sutured into its new position, and the incision will be closed.
The exact surgical plan is tailored to each individual. It takes into account the specifics of the patient’s anatomy and the amount of correction considered necessary.
How is mini arm lift recovery?
The initial stages of the healing process involve some discomfort as well as swelling, bruising, and tightness.
Patients are likely required to wear compression garments and are usually advised to avoid any activity that uses the upper body that may stretch or strain the healing incision.
Recovery will be longer on some patients than on others, depending on the amount of tissue that was removed and on whether other procedures were completed at the same time.
A more comprehensive recovery timeline can be accessed in the arm lift recovery guide.
Do you get a scar from a mini arm lift?
Surgery involves making an incision. So, yes, there will be a scar.
A smaller procedure is less likely to produce a longer scar. It may remain in the region closest to the armpit. However, how the scar eventually looks is completely dependent on how the individual heals.
Patients who have raised or prominent scarring should discuss this at the consultation.
When is a mini arm lift insufficient?
Loose skin that extends along the upper arm or to the side of the chest is likely insufficient to be corrected by a mini arm lift.
A small incision with the aim to treat significant skin laxity will likely not provide the amount of correction desired. In those instances, standard or extended brachioplasty will be considered.
What will be discussed in the consultation?
Find out the rational for considering a mini procedure and the expected area of arm enhancement.
It’s beneficial to know where the cut will be, if liposuction is part of it, and if an extended arm lift will give a different end result.
If patients want to know the overall arm lift procedure and aspects of treatment planning and different types of brachioplasty, they can use our guide on arm lifts in Turkey.
Conclusions
A mini arm lift is best when there is a moderate amount of hanging skin. Its benefit is a smaller treatment area so the scar will be shorter, but it also means less skin laxity can be treated.
Less skin laxity is a limitation of this lift.
The option you select should also consider the anatomy of the arm rather than the shorter scar that will take less time.
References
- Body Contouring Procedures – Arm Lift — Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Minimal-Incision Brachioplasty: A First-Choice Option in Arm Reduction Surgery — PubMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Arm Lift Procedure Steps — American Society of Plastic Surgeons.