What Does a Brachioplasty Cost, and What's The Best Alternative?

Loose, hanging arm skin and excess fat can drain one's appearance and confidence. Thankfully, several options exist for achieving beautifully sculpted arms without the hassle of invasive surgery. 

Rather than undergoing an arm lift, also known as a brachioplasty, nonsurgical and minimally invasive treatments allow you to remove fat and tighten skin at the same time. 

If you are looking for ways to shrink the upper arms without going under the knife, keep reading to learn about arm lift surgery, what alternative methods can achieve, and how much they cost.

What is a Brachioplasty?

Also known as an arm lift, this is a surgical treatment that removes unwanted skin and fat from the upper arms. It results in a more toned and contoured appearance. 

This invasive approach has traditionally been the go-to solution for individuals seeking dramatic arm rejuvenation.

How Much Does an Arm Lift Cost?

The cost of a traditional arm lift varies depending on various factors such as location, surgeon's expertise, and the extent of the procedure.

On average, a brachioplasty can range from $4,000 to $15,000. However, it is crucial to note that this cost typically includes anesthesia-related expenses, facility fees, and post-operative care.

The Average Cost of an Arm Lift Has Gone up in 2023

The current average cost of an arm lift falls within the range of $6,000 to $8,000. This total includes the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, operating room facilities, medical tests, and follow-up appointments. Remember that this figure can fluctuate based on geographical location and individual factors.

Many sites state that the cost is lower, referencing the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2018 stated average price of roughly $4,500. Due to inflationary pressures in the last five years, this number has increased. 

What is Included in the Cost of an Arm Lift?

A comprehensive arm lift package encompasses various components, ensuring a seamless and safe surgical experience:

• Surgeon's Fee: This covers the expertise and skills of the surgeon performing the procedure.

• Anesthesia Costs: Anesthesia is critical in any surgical procedure, ensuring the patient's comfort and safety throughout the operation. Traditional arm lifts are invasive and, therefore, require general anesthesia. 

• Operating Room Facilities include using the surgical suite, equipment, and support staff.

• Medical Tests: Pre-operative tests are essential to evaluate the patient's overall health and suitability for surgery.

• Post-Operative Care: Follow-up appointments and any necessary revisions or touch-ups are typically included in the cost.

Can Insurance cover Brachioplasty?

In most cases, an arm lift is a cosmetic procedure not covered by insurance. 

Exceptions may apply if there are documented medical reasons, such as excessive skin causing discomfort or hygiene issues. 

Speaking with your healthcare provider and insurance company for specific details is advisable.

Help with Paying for an Arm Lift

For individuals seeking financial assistance, various options may be available, including:

• Financing Plans: Many clinics offer financing options to help distribute the cost of the procedure over time.

• Medical Tourism: Exploring options in countries with lower healthcare costs can be a viable alternative.

• Healthcare Credit Cards: Specialized credit cards designed for medical expenses may offer convenient payment solutions.

Nonsurgical and Minimally Invasive Arm Lift Alternatives

Because the arm lift is an invasive procedure, many patients seek different ways to tighten their arms without weeks of recovery or general anesthesia. Some patients only need fat removal on their underarms, while others only require skin tightening. Some still may need a combined approach. 

Here are several alternative treatments that can tighten arm skin or remove stubborn fat to provide a toned look:

1. Nonsurgical Laser Liposuction: Non-invasive laser lipo methods like TruSculpt ID warm fat cells until they die. This method provides modest fat removal results but does not tighten loose skin. Several sessions are required, which can result in the price adding up. Plus, the results with nonsurgical fat removal are not permanent, as fat cells are not directly removed. The main benefit of this approach is reduced pain compared with more invasive treatments.

2. Laser Liposuction: Not to be confused with nonsurgical methods, laser lipo procedures melt fat with a heating laser before removing it through small incisions. The heating process also helps stimulate collagen production, indirectly tightening the skin (those with lots of loose skin may need a more direct approach). Patients can usually remain awake under local anesthesia, and recovery should be quicker than an arm lift. Still, a small to moderate scar will be left behind.

3. Body Tite: Like laser lipo, Body Tite is also minimally invasive and used to remove fat and tighten skin. Instead of laser energy, the treatment uses radiofrequency energy to heat the area's fat cells before removal. The process also causes skin to contract and become a bit firmer. Small incisions are needed so BodyTite can be performed with local anesthesia. However, minor swelling and soreness for a few weeks can be expected.

4. VASER: VASER is a liposuction technique that emits ultrasound waves to melt fat in the arms before removal. While it does not dramatically tighten skin, some feel it is better than standard liposuction and causes less bruising or side effects. Sagging upper arms may require an additional treatment as only minor tightening is achieved at best with VASER.

5. EmSculpt: EmSculpt is a nonsurgical procedure that focuses on building muscles. Emsculpt uses a rubber pad placed on the treated body part to emit intense electromagnetic waves, causing contractions that increase muscle tone and strength. This treatment does not explicitly help with skin tightening, but firming the arms can indirectly provide some firming effect.

6. Renuvion: Renuvion is an innovative skin-tightening technique that uses helium gas and radiofrequency energy to create cold helium plasma. The ionized gas produced by this technique stimulates collagen production, immediately tightening the skin. Renuvion is minimally invasive, requiring small incisions, but is almost always done with patients fully awake. The pros are similar to BodyTite, but many prefer Renuvion because the procedure takes less time, and the tightening is often more dramatic. Bruising, swelling, and discomfort in the upper arms can last a few weeks. 

AirSculpt® Combined With Renuvion: Dramatic Arm Tightening Without Invasive Surgery 

Now that we've laid the foundation of traditional brachioplasty costs and viable alternatives, let's delve into why AirSculpt® is a game-changer for sculpting and tightening the arms.

Armpit and Underarm AirSculpt® offers Raleigh residents a unique and highly effective approach to arm contouring. 

This revolutionary procedure combines precision fat removal with advanced skin tightening methods, resulting in beautifully sculpted arms without invasive surgery. Fat is delicately plucked cell-by-cell through a freckle-sized opening with a patented technique that also tightens the treated area. 

Why Choose Armpit and Underarm AirSculpt®?

• Minimally Invasive: Unlike a traditional Brachioplasty, Armpit and Underarm AirSculpt® is minimally invasive, reducing downtime and discomfort.

• Precision and Customization: The AirSculpt® technique allows for precise sculpting, ensuring natural-looking and tailored results.

• Rapid Recovery: Patients can return to regular activities much sooner than traditional surgery. Downtime is one to two days on average.

• No General Anesthesia: Armpit and Underarm AirSculpt® is performed using local anesthesia, enhancing safety and recovery.

• Proven Results: Thousands of satisfied patients attest to the effectiveness and transformative power of AirSculpt® procedures.

AirSculpt prices start at just $5,000 for fat removal. For those who need more dramatic skin tightening but don't want to undergo a lift that requires general anesthesia, they also provide Renuviuon skin tightening under the AirSculpt® + offering. This combined treatment is, without a doubt, the best way to dramatically tone and tighten the arms without a full-on brachioplasty. 

Experience the AirSculpt® difference today and embark on your journey towards sculpted, confident arms! Schedule a complimentary consultation at one of our 25+ AirSculpt® locations throughout North America and Europe.