Arm lift with Lipo cost and recovery? (photo)

Hello Alishamarie08 in Tampa, FL. Thank you for your question regarding arm lift with liposuction.

The cost of an arm lift with liposuction can vary widely depending on several factors. These include the location of your plastic surgeon, their level of experience, the duration of the surgery, and the fees associated with the operating room and anesthesia.

Based on your description and photo, I do think you would be a great candidate for an arm lift. Given your profession as a hairdresser, which involves significant use of your arms, I recommend taking off at least a month for recovery. This will allow ample time for healing and to ensure you can return to work without complications.

Thank you for your question regarding the cost and recovery of an arm lift with liposuction.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

A variety of treatment options are available to treat excess upper arm tissue. These procedures are tailored to meet the patient's specific needs. Your pictures demonstrate significant amounts of excess skin in multiple dimensions. Under these circumstances, a full brachioplasty will be necessary to correct this problem.This procedure utilizes an incision that extends from the axilla to the elbows. In some cases, a secondary transverse incision is made in the axilla as well. The procedure removes excess skin in multiple dimensions. This procedure is associated with excellent clinical results and high levels of patient satisfaction. Unfortunately, the scars associated with this procedure can on occasion be extremely noticeable.Following surgery, patients should minimize the use of their arms for two weeks. After two weeks, they can gradually resume normal activity. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least 7 to 8 weeks following surgery.The cost of brachioplasty varies and depends upon multiple factors including the surgeon's fee, facility fee and anesthesia charges. In the Midwestern United States, these fees vary between $5,000 and $7,500.If you're considering brachioplasty, it's important to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this area. This surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your anatomic findings and achieves your aesthetic goals.

Thanks for the question. When it comes to costs of surgery, there may be many “variables” involved. The specific surgeon's credentials/experience level (or lack thereof), the specific geographic area you are looking at, the different operations available, the location of the procedure (quality of surgery facility), type/quality of anesthesia provider,  type of breast implants… are some of the potential variables involved.  You will find some average costs of surgery on this website and on individual plastic surgeons' websites as well.
In regards to outcome of the planned procedure, more important than costs of the procedures will be careful selection of your plastic surgeon. I would suggest starting with the American Society of Plastic Surgery and/or the Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgery to obtain a list of well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
Then, I would suggest you visit a few surgeons whose practices concentrate on aesthetic surgery. Ask to SEE lots of examples of their work AND preferably speak to/see patients who have had arm lifting surgery performed.
Be very careful with your decision-making. You will find, while doing your due diligence, that there are many different “specialties” who will offer their services to you; again, I strongly recommend you concentrate on surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Again, I would also suggest that you do not base your selection of plastic surgeon primarily on costs of surgery; keep in mind that revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways.  Best wishes.