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Well-sculptured and contoured arms are attractive, but they can also come with a price.

Fat reduction in the upper arm area through cosmetic surgical procedure, be it liposuction (either ultrasonic or tumescent liposuction) or brachioplasty, is popular among women but it can be a costly affair given the "artistry" a well-sculpted arm can require.

Cost and Trends

An average estimated cost for fat reduction surgery in the upper arms ranges from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on the factors listed above.

In 2010, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery published a list of the national average surgeon fee for plastic surgery procedures and the average fee for an upper arm lift was $3,729. They have not published new information since.

The amount may vary in different regions and does not include other fees such as anesthesia, facility cost, prescription, medical tests, surgical garments and other miscellaneous expenses.

As with all other living costs, the cost of plastic surgery has been on the upward trend in the last few years due to technological expenses, surgeon fees, anesthesia fees and facility fees.

Cost Considerations for Arm Liposuction

An arm fat reduction procedure removes excess skin and fat on the underside of the arm and the procedure normally requires one surgical treatment lasting about two hours.

There may however be cases where the patient requires further fat reduction in the anterior and/or posterior fat pads, i.e. areas in front of and behind the arm pit.

If the latter procedure is required, it can add to the total cost of the surgery.

The type of surgery to be performed, be it tumescent liposuction using microcannulas, ultrasonic liposuction or brachioplasty procedure, largely depends on the amount of fat to be reduced and the desired contour.

If the droop on the underarms is too excessive, a combined liposuction and brachioplasty may be required. The type of procedure required would invariably affect the total cost of the surgery.

It is essential to seek consultation from at least two certified and experienced surgeons before making a decision.

Finding the Right Arm Lift Surgeon

Settling for a particular surgeon solely based on cost alone can be a risky affair as you may end up having to pay a more costly price to correct a badly done surgical procedure performed by an inexperienced surgeon.

A common peril in an arm fat reduction procedure is a misjudgment in excessive or uneven removal of fat that can result in noticeable lumps on the arm - which can then be exacerbated if the patient gains weight.

Surgeons who have sufficient experience in arm liposuction or arm lift procedures normally provide a strong portfolio of past cases which a patient can review during an initial consultation.

The element of cost should not be the main consideration in deciding on a surgeon; the surgeon’s reputation and experience and the quality of the facility should be weighed with equal importance.

For a list of questions you should be sure to ask your potential surgeon, check our find a surgeon page here or submit a question for our arm liposuction experts via the form below.

Arm Lift Financing Options

Certain surgeons have in-house programs that enable the patient to seek financial assistance with the surgeon’s partner finance companies.

Finance companies require monthly repayment based on the loan amount, length of time of the loan and the patient’s credit rating.

Most finance companies do not require down payment but certain surgeons may request a certain minimum deposit.

Alternatively, the patient can seek a finance company that have a panel of surgeons under their network. Term loans offered may vary depending on the loan amount; loan terms can be 24, 36, 48 or even 60 months.

For a liposuction surgery costing between $2,300 to $7,000, a monthly repayment would normally range between $87 to $350 per month.

Plastic Surgery in Other Countries

Certain countries offer ‘medical tourism’ packages where plastic surgery is offered to attract tourists.

These countries also offer attractive tourist features such as nice beaches and great hospitality to enable one to combine a plastic surgery procedure with a holiday.

Countries like Costa Rica, Egypt, Malaysia and Thailand offer cheaper options for plastic surgery procedures but it is always essential to check the credentials of plastic surgery clinics in foreign countries before making a decision.

More information

For a more general break-down of costs involved with liposuction click here.

For more general information on Arm liposuction click here.