Q: I want to get rid of some loose skin in my arms, but the surgeon recommended an operation that would leave a gigantic scar from elbow to armpit. Is there an alternative? I want to wear short-sleeve shirts again!
A: The procedure your surgeon described, a bracheoplasty, is one of the only effective treatments for patients with sagging skin in their arms due to massive weight loss. Even though you describe a ''gigantic scar,'' it is often well tolerated.
However, there is an alternative treatment. For patients with less sagging skin, there is a newer procedure called a limited incision bracheoplasty (LIB) that hides the scar in the armpit. This operation is frequently combined with liposuction to reduce the amount of fat in the arm as well. It is an outpatient procedure and patients can generally return to work in less than a week. Since this procedure is relatively new, I would suggest you see a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs the LIB procedure to see whether you are a candidate. Make sure you ask about the risks and benefits. A little exercise to develop your biceps, triceps and deltoids wouldn't hurt either -- and that's free!
