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Circumaxillary Brachioplasty With Internal Brace: Short-Scar Arm Lift by Dr. Kao
Circumaxillary Brachioplasty With Internal Brace: Arm Lift Without a Long Visible Scar
This case introduces Dr. Kao’s Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace, a new arm lift concept designed to tighten upper arm laxity through a short hidden incision instead of a long scar down the arm.
Video: Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace by Dr. Kao
“It’s just incredible. It makes a complete difference. Now I can wear anything.”
Table of Contents
Case Overview
This 60-year-old patient came to Dr. Chia Chi Kao after having a short-scar brachioplasty performed elsewhere. Although the prior surgery left a scar in the axillary fold, it did not meaningfully improve the laxity, looseness, or “flappiness” of her upper arm.
She wanted a tighter, smoother arm, but she did not want the long visible scar typically associated with a traditional brachioplasty. This created a difficult challenge: how do you tighten lax arm tissue without making a long incision down the arm?
The Problem With Traditional Arm Lifts
A traditional brachioplasty can be effective because it removes excess droopy skin and reduces the circumference of the upper arm. However, it usually requires a long incision that extends from the armpit toward the elbow.
For many patients, that scar can be highly visible. Some patients become uncomfortable wearing short sleeves, sleeveless tops, or clothing that reveals the arms, which can defeat the purpose of having the surgery in the first place.
A short-scar arm lift hides the incision in the axillary crease, but the tradeoff is limited tightening. Because the incision is short, the amount of lifting and tightening is often not enough for patients with significant laxity.
Dr. Kao’s New Approach: Circumaxillary Brachioplasty With Internal Brace
Dr. Kao designed a different solution: Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace. Instead of extending the incision down the arm, he used the patient’s existing short scar along the axillary fold.
The technique applies principles similar to Dr. Kao’s Alexandra Breast Lift. The skin is lifted out of the way through a short incision, while the underlying tissue is folded, plicated, and tightened along the upper arm. An internal brace is then used to help lock in the smaller, tighter arm circumference.
The final skin removal is performed in a circular pattern confined to the axilla. The closure is designed to keep the scar much shorter than a traditional arm lift scar, while still tightening the upper arm tissue.
Two-Month Post-Op Result
At just over two months post-op, the patient was already extremely happy with her result. Although she was still healing, the upper arm looked tighter, the tissue felt more supported, and the incision length was not increased beyond the scar she already had from her previous surgery.
The patient described the result as incredible and said it made a complete difference. Most importantly, she felt comfortable wearing what she wanted again.
This case demonstrates how Dr. Kao’s Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace may offer a new option for selected patients who want upper arm tightening without the long visible scar of a traditional brachioplasty.
Considering Arm Lift Revision?
Dr. Chia Chi Kao specializes in advanced aesthetic surgery techniques designed to improve contour, support tissue, and minimize visible surgical stigma when appropriate.
Questions & Answers
What is Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace?
Circumaxillary Brachioplasty with Internal Brace is Dr. Kao’s arm lift concept designed to tighten upper arm laxity through a short incision hidden in the axillary fold, while supporting the deeper tissue with an internal brace.
How is this different from a traditional brachioplasty?
A traditional brachioplasty usually requires a long incision from the armpit toward the elbow. In this case, Dr. Kao used a short incision in the axillary fold and tightened the deeper tissue without extending a scar down the arm.
Why was this patient unhappy with her previous arm lift?
The patient previously had a short-scar brachioplasty by another surgeon, but she felt it did not make a meaningful difference in the looseness and laxity of her upper arm.
Does this arm lift avoid a long scar?
In this case, Dr. Kao avoided creating a long scar down the arm. He used the existing axillary fold scar and performed the tightening through that short hidden incision.
How soon was the result shown?
This result was shown a little over two months after surgery. The patient was still healing but was already very happy with the improvement.
About Dr. Chia Chi Kao
Dr. Chia Chi Kao is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Kao Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica, California. He is known for advanced aesthetic techniques, surgical innovation, discreet incision planning, and natural-looking results designed to improve confidence while minimizing visible surgical stigma.
Individual results vary. This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace a personal consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Not every patient is a candidate for a short-scar arm lift or internal brace technique.
