How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?

The average cost of an arm lift is $7,775, according to 824 reviews on RealSelf.

This total cost is significantly higher than $4,861 average cost of an arm lift that’s cited in the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but it’s worth noting that their average “is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.” All of these additional costs can add thousands to your final bill, so it’s important to factor them in.

According to reviewers on RealSelf, upper arm lift prices in the U.S. can vary from just $4,450 for a mini arm lift to as much as $17,500 for a more complex procedure.

Read on to learn more about why arm lift prices can vary so much, everything to look for in a personalized cost quote, and whether real patients think their results were worth the investment.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About an Arm Lift

The Ultimate Guide to Plastic Surgery Costs

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What your total cost includes

During your initial consultation, your prospective plastic surgeon should talk you through the details of their recommended treatment plan. This is the best time to request a written, total cost quote that includes:

• The consultation fee, which may be applied to the cost of your procedure
• Any pre-op medical tests
• The surgeon’s fee
• Facility fees, which typically cover the surgical supplies, too
• Anesthesia fees
• All aftercare and follow-up visits

Ask if you’ll need compression sleeves, pain medication, bandages, scar treatments, or any other recovery supplies. If they won’t be supplied by your surgeon, you’ll need to factor those purchases into your budget.

This is also a good time to discuss the surgeon’s policy on the cost of a revision surgery procedure or other corrective treatments, if you’re not satisfied with your results or arm lift scars. Some providers waive revision surgery fees if you’ve had a complication that needs to be addressed, but you may need to cover a significant portion of the expense out of pocket—a very good reason to choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who will be more likely to give you good results the first time around and support you through the recovery process.

Why do arm lift surgery costs vary?

The price you pay for an upper arm lift will depend on these factors.

1) The complexity of your procedure.

Every arm lift surgery is customized to the patient's needs and aesthetic goals, and the procedure time can range between one and three hours, depending on its level of complexity. 

Some surgeons offer what’s called a “mini arm lift” or "invisible arm lift." This procedure usually involves a small, horizontal incision just above the armpit, to tighten loose skin, possibly with some arm liposuction to remove exercise-resistant fat deposits. This is a quicker, less invasive option works best for people with minimal amounts of excess fat and skin laxity, with reasonably good elasticity.

A traditional arm lift involves an incision along the underside of the arm, from armpit to elbow. If it’s paired with liposuction or another complementary procedure, your procedure time and cost will both go up.

Patients who have a lot of loose skin (particularly after extreme weight loss) often have better results when they pair an arm lift and lipo with other surgical body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, breast lift, or thigh lift.

Adding to the time and complexity of your procedure will inflate your bill, but some plastic surgeons offer a small discount on each additional procedure. You'll also save by only incurring the facility and general anesthesia fees once, compared to what you'd spend if you had each procedure separately.

2) Your surgeon’s credentials and level of expertise

Board-certified plastic surgeons with years or decades of experience or arm lift expertise usually charge a higher surgeon's fee for their level of skill.

It's tempting to choose the surgeon who gives you the lowest price quote, but unless they also have the experience to give you a good result, you could end up paying more in the long run.

“Do not elect to have arm lift surgery with the lowest priced and often least experienced plastic surgeon. Be prepared to pay a little more for an experienced arm lift plastic surgeon,” advises Dr. Timothy Katzen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. “By paying more, you may minimize your risks of complications and expensive revision surgeries.”

When choosing your plastic surgeon, have a personal consultation with at least two doctors who specialize in arm lift procedures. This is the best way to confirm that you're a good candidate for this procedure, get their recommendations on the best treatment plan, and get a personalized cost quote.

Many surgeons offer complimentary consultations or apply the consult fee to the cost of your procedure.

3) Where your procedure is performed.

The cost of an arm lift surgery will generally run higher in major metropolitan areas, like New York or Los Angeles, simply because surgeons who practice there have more overhead (including rent and staff salaries). 

If you're looking to save money on this procedure in a major city, you may find that providers with more modest practices in less-desirable neighborhoods can offer more reasonable rates.

Another factor in how much you'll pay: the type of surgical facility where your procedure is performed. Usually, facility fees (and sometimes even the fees for surgical supplies) are lower for private surgical centers than hospital operating rooms. 

4) Who administers your anesthesia

Arm lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, but it can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation, particularly if your procedure isn't too long or complex. This may be a lower-cost option, if it can be administered by your surgeon or a member of their staff.

General anesthesia must be administered by a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist (MD), who monitors the patient's vital signs throughout their procedure. 

CRNAs charge a lower fee for their services than an anesthesiologist (who has more advanced training), but some plastic surgeons prefer the expertise of an MD, particularly for high-risk patients who have medical issues like diabetes.

You can also expect to pay anesthesia fees for supplies, so make sure they're included in your cost estimate.

5) Any post-operative supplies.

During your consultation, ask your provider if you'll need to purchase any post-op supplies, such as compression garments (to minimize swelling) or prescription medications.

Is arm lift surgery worth the money?

Arm lift surgery has a 91% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, so a solid majority think their results are worth what they paid.

An arm lift (brachioplasty) removes the excess skin and fat often called "bat wings" from the upper arm area, giving the arms a more toned appearance. This outpatient procedure can deliver a level of skin tightening that isn't possible through diet and exercise alone.

Many of those who said that this cosmetic surgery was "Worth It" pointed to results that boosted their self-confidence. Holymolley called it "the best decision I ever made," while Kind8741, who combined her arm lift with a breast lift and liposuction, said that it made her feel "beautiful once again." 

Those who rated their arm lift surgery "Not Worth It" were disappointed in their results. Some say it left their arm skin looking worse than before, with issues like scars, underarm puckering, and lumpiness. Others experienced complications during recovery.

A key difference between happy and unhappy patients was the surgeon’s level of expertise (or lack thereof), underscoring the importance of finding a well-reviewed, board-certified plastic surgeon who frequently performs arm lift procedures.

Will insurance pay for an arm lift?

In most cases, health insurance won't cover arm lift surgery because it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure. 

One possible exception: patients who have a significant amount of loose, sagging skin that's limiting arm movement or causing a medical problem (like a skin rash that won't heal). 

If you think you might qualify, talk with your insurance provider about what kind of medical documentation you'll need to show that you meet their specific criteria. Your surgeon's staff should be able to submit this as part of a request for insurance preauthorization. 

If the out-of-pocket cost is a burden, ask your surgeon's staff about whether they offer monthly payment plans or accept plastic surgery financing options.

Arm lift costs in U.S. states

Browse average arm lift costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Arm lift costs in major U.S. metros

Average costs according to patient-reported data. As of July 2023, the cheapest metro area in the U.S. to get an arm lift is Milwaukee, WI, while people tend to pay the most in Denver, CO. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.