Brachioplasty cost depends on a number of factors — many of which patients don’t even think of when they consider plastic surgery. Furthermore, costs vary depending on the surgeon you choose. Not all surgeon’s charge the same price for their arm lift services and care.
In that same vein, it is indeed important to be thoughtful when choosing a plastic surgeon. While you can start to whittle down your options by searching online, ultimately, you’ll want to meet in person with at least one potential surgeon so that you can learn more about them and discuss your candidacy for surgery.
We understand there can be a lot of questions and concerns before you decide to undergo a major surgery like brachioplasty. Below, we’ve listed some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding both the cost of brachioplasty and the procedure itself.
Before and After Arm Lift FAQs
Will insurance pay for arm lift surgery?
No, in most cases, health insurance will not cover arm lift surgery. This is because brachioplasty is not an essential, medically necessary procedure. It is typically a cosmetic surgery meant to reduce excess skin and leave the upper arms looking slimmer and more toned.
Some patients may claim this is the wrong way to look at an arm lift procedure. They may see all of the physical and emotional downsides of having a lot of sagging skin and see this surgery as medically necessary.
You are certainly free to ask your provider about coverage for arm lift cost. Unfortunately, most health insurance providers have their own way of looking at things and do not provide coverage.
How much does brachioplasty cost?
You can certainly look up “brachioplasty cost near me” to get an estimate of how much this procedure will likely cost in your region. The cost of any type of plastic surgery usually depends on the geographic location, as well as many other factors, including the surgeon’s experience, the anesthesia needed, the extent of the surgery, etc.
The best way to get a good cost estimate for arm lift surgery is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Do plastic surgeons offer financing options for arm lift surgery?
Some do. In fact, in most cases, plastic surgeons will readily offer financing options, such as connections with medical credit companies like CareCredit.
On the other hand, many patients decide to pay in cash out-of-pocket. Still, others will pay with major credit cards, which are accepted at most plastic surgery practices.
What is a mini arm lift?
A mini arm lift is basically a smaller version of arm lift surgery. This procedure typically requires an incision that is made mostly within the armpit area.
Therefore, the loose skin that is removed should mostly be located in the armpit area. The benefits of a mini arm lift include a smaller incision site and smaller arm lift scars, less trauma to the body, and sometimes, a smaller price tag.
Is arm lift surgery painful?
Arm lift procedures will not cause you any pain because most arm lift surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, certain plastic surgeons may decide to use local anesthesia along with IV sedation.
But either way, you’re not not going to feel any pain during the procedure itself. This is true for all plastic surgeries, such as breast lift surgery and tummy tuck surgery as well.
During arm lift recovery, on the other hand, you will have some discomfort and pain in the upper arm area for at least the first few days. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help you handle this. Always take your pain medication as directed.
What do brachioplasty scars look like?
You will have one brachioplasty scar on each arm. They can be seen in most arm lift before and after pictures.
For the vast majority of arm lift patients, the incision is going to run from the elbow to the armpit. Plastic surgeons make the incision on the inner part of the upper arm because this is the location where it will be least noticeable.
While arm lift surgery scars can be somewhat noticeable, they should become less noticeable with time. As long as you stay out of the sun, avoid physical activity that could enlarge or exacerbate your incision sites, and take care of your general health, your incisions should heal flat and fade quite a lot as time goes on.
Is arm lift surgery worth it?
For most patients, arm lift surgery is definitely worth it. Despite arm lift costs, scars after surgery, and other drawbacks, patients are ultimately very happy with their results.
How long is arm lift recovery?
Brachioplasty recovery occurs in stages. The initial recovery period will usually last around two weeks. During this time, you need to take it easy, and you will probably need to stay home from work or school.
You must limit arm movement, yet you need to get up frequently to take short walks and maintain good circulation. Eat healthy, get a good night’s sleep every night, and do not smoke. Follow your surgeon’s guidelines.
What if I end up with a botched arm lift surgery?
Most arm lift surgeries that are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons go very well. However, in some rare situations, you may end up with results you are unhappy with.
If this happens to you, get in touch with your plastic surgeon to see what can be done to ameliorate the situation. In some cases, you may need revision surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you’ve been considering arm lift surgery, we invite you to get in touch.
When you are ready to take the next step toward the new you, please call our office to schedule an in-person consultation appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg.
