One of the biggest drawbacks to brachioplasty surgery is the long zigzag vertical scar that extends from the armpit to the elbow on the inside of the upper arm. In traditional procedures, the brachioplasty scar is made as inconspicuously as possible on the inside of the arm so that it is only visible when the arms are extended above chest level.

There are two procedures which can be considered minimal incision brachioplasty techniques. The first is a liposuction technique that provides a minimal incision brachioplasty for patients with excess fat in the upper arm, but little excess skin in the area. If a patient's skin is tight and the problem is simply excess fat, liposuction may be an effective minimal incision brachioplasty surgery option.

Liposuction is a minimal incision brachioplasty surgery that is effective in reducing the size of a patient's upper arms only by removing excess fat through a small tube called a cannula. Because the fat is excised through a thin tube, the incision required for this technique is minimal and leaves little scarring after the minimal incision brachioplasty. This technique may not be appropriate for patients who have excess skin in the upper arm area or for those who do not have the proper skin tone.

Another minimal incision brachioplasty surgery technique was first performed in the late 1990s with much success. The surgeon who pioneered this minimal incision brachioplasty technique originally treated nine patients successfully using this new innovative technique. This surgeon began by measuring the circumference of his patient's arms prior to minimal incision brachioplasty surgery. Under general anesthesia, he made a small asymmetric elliptical incision in the patient's armpit area. Through this small incision excess fat was liposuctioned out and the excess skin was excised.

The results of this minimal incision brachioplasty entailed a fifteen to twenty five percent decrease in the patient's arm circumference. The scars from this minimal incision brachioplasty were smooth and inconspicuous. Where a traditional brachioplasty procedure leaves a long noticeable scar down the inside of a patient's upper arm, the minimal incision brachioplasty surgery leaves only a small scar hidden in a patient's arm area.

In 2001 the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery issued a press release about minimal incision brachioplasty surgery. They reported that the success of these first surgeries indicates that minimal incision brachioplasty can be used as a first choice for many patients seeking to enhance the appearance of their upper arms. Patients with poor skin tone and elasticity and those who are obese may require a modification of this minimal incision brachioplasty technique in order to achieve the desired results.

If you are interested in learning more about minimal incision brachioplasty surgery, you may wish to contact a qualified and experienced cosmetic plastic surgeon in your area who can determine whether a minimal incision brachioplasty surgery is right for you.