Question: I have always hated my arms. Part of why I would like to get arm lift surgery is so that I can wear sleeveless shirts. I know that the incision and scar can be pretty big but would I be able to wear sleeveless shirts afterward or would the scar prevent that?
The Upper Arm Lift Brachioplasty Scars:
Anytime a human being gets cut (with surgery or trauma), scars heal the following way: Initially they are red, raised and hard. Within 6-12 months, they are flat, white and soft. Younger people (<18 years old) have scars that might stay active or red for up to 2 years. Older people (>65 years old) have scars that might stay active or red for less than 3 months.
26 year old female 3 months and 6 months after short-scar arm lift. The incision is only in the armpit with this approach. The scar redness continues to fade with time.
54 year old male before and 6 weeks after full-scar arm lift. Notice the red, active scar. The patient is encouraged to massage after 2 weeks and the redness, hardness eventually fades to a soft, white line. In this patient, because of the excess skin laxity (he lost over 120 pounds), the scar extends about 2cm past the elbow crease. This is not typically the case but is discussed with each patient on an individual basis depending on the degree of skin excess.