How Much is an Arm Lift and Can It Be Performed Under Local Instead of General?

Question

After loosing 120 lbs, I just got a TT and an augmentation (800 cc right, 850 cc-left, saline unders) on May 21st. I was left with alot of excess skin under my arms. My body looks great, but my arms and thighs still have loose skin. I don't want to rush into surgery and get "surgery happy". I want to let my body heal for six months or more before getting any more surgery I want to look ahead for financial planning reasons because the skin under my arms is just skin and it wont go awayw/ exercise

Barbara L. Persons, MD, FACS · Answer

A warm congratulations to you (and great user name!) Everything you are doing is positive, and at this stage it's perfectly appropriate to stop and ask questions (and pat yourself on the back.) 

	At my surgery century, I only perform surgery with IV sedation, regional and/or local anesthesia. All my patients go home that day, whether they have had an abdominoplasty, a breast reduction or, as you asked, a brachioplasty. This type of anesthesia is also called Light Sleep Anesthesia. IV medication gently induces a state of relaxation, then numbing medication is injected (often with specialized cannulas) to quickly produce numbness.  Patients breathe on their own, have very little memory of the procedure, and recover quickly. The rate of post-operative nausea is very low with this anesthesia. Light Sleep Anesthesia also carries less risk of complications.

	I'm glad you see your body looks great; that's the most important part. I enjoy the longterm working relationships I form with patients who are going through journeys like yours. I love to operate, but it's the healing and consultation that makes it all worth it. That's "happy surgery!"

	 

	Best, Dr. Barbara Persons

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question about the cost of an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty and if it can be performed under local or general anesthesia. The cost of any plastic surgery procedure depends on your plastic surgeon. Many factors go into cost. Factors include geographic location, the training of your plastic surgeon, and whether they are a cosmetic surgeon, plastic surgeon, general surgeon, OB-GYN, etc. Other factors that go into creating the cost of a procedure include the location of the surgery, whether in a surgery center, office, or hospital setting. Another factor would include whether insurance is involved. All these factors are too complicated to mention just one price for a procedure. It also depends on what kind of arm lift you need. Do you need a crescent, modified T, full brachioplasty, or brachioplasty to the wrist?
As you can see, it is not easy to answer the cost of an arm lift. An arm lift should be done under general anesthesia. The problem is that only a limited amount of local anesthetic can be given. There is a maximum amount that can be given. It would be terrible to be in the middle of your arm lift and not be able to give any more local anesthesia because the maximum dose has been reached. Also, the maximum dose will probably be reached on one arm alone. I suggest doing one arm at a time, but that is a lot of recovery time. Most patients undergo general anesthesia for an arm lift. The procedure takes about 3-4 hours and usually includes arm liposuction. Please seek a board-certified surgeon.

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Brachioplasty is a commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure. The cost of brachioplasty is variable and depends upon several factors including the surgeon's fee, facility fee and anesthesia charges. Fees in the Midwestern United States typically range between $5,000 and $7,500.The choice of anesthesia is dependent upon the nature of the deformity. In some cases, where deformities are minor, local anesthesia is acceptable. In other cases, where major deformities are present, general anesthesia is probably more appropriate.The choice of anesthesia is also dependent upon the surgeon's preference, patient's preference and the patient's overall health. It's important that these issues be discussed prior to surgery so the patient can have a comfortable experience.

William T. Stoeckel, MD · Answer

The cost of almost all plastic surgery procedures is very region dependent. I would suppose that the cost of brachioplasty ranges anywhere from $5,000-$10,000 based upon where you live and how much tissue is going to be resected. Some brachioplasty procedures are limited to the upper arm and others cross the axilla (armpit) and remove a signficant amount of tissue from the lateral chest wall. Some surgeons will consider this to be a flankplasty and others will term it to be an extended brachioplasty. I use deep sedation for my brachioplasty surgery, but think that it would be difficult to complete with just local anesthesia.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Great work on the weight loss. A good result from the procedures you have had is a good predictor of a nice outcome for an arm lift. Best bet is to call your surgeon for a quote--that will not be a guess!. The average cost quoted on this site I note is $7500.

	 

	As far as anesthesia, these can be done with sedation and local anesthesia. I wouldn't try to do an arm lift with just local anesthesia.

	Thanks for the question and best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your significant weight loss; you should be very proud of this accomplishment. Based on your description you may be an excellent candidate for arm lifting surgery. Generally I perform this procedure under general anesthesia.

	The arm lifting is an excellent procedure to improve the contour of the arms and remove  redundant skin and adipose tissue;  the downside is a relatively high rate of unsatisfactory scarring and the need for revisionary surgery.  One of the important considerations of this operation is planning the area of excision to allow for a resulting scar that is as hidden as possible.

	I hope this helps.

How Much is an Arm Lift and Can It Be Performed Under Local Instead of General?

Answers (6)

More Arm Lift Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (6)

More Arm Lift Questions

What is the Best Way to Remove a Scar from Brachioplasty Surgery?

Arm Muscle Reduction Surgery? Is There Such a Thing?

What Are the Options for Treatment of Bat Wings if You've Had a Mastectomy?

I Don't Need an Arm Lift, I Simply Need It Pulled and Tucked Up, Possible?

Why This Ugly Scar After 9 Months After a Brachioplasty, Can This Be Less Visible? (photo)

What Am I Allowed to Do Directly After Arm Lift E.g. Cooking, Etc?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS