Brachioplasty Cost: Average Price, What Affects It & Financing

Brachioplasty is the medical name for an arm lift. It is usually done for cosmetic reasons, so each practice sets its own price. Published averages differ depending on whether they count the surgeon alone or the whole bill.

This guide explains the two main national figures, what a complete quote can include, how people pay, and which questions to ask before you commit. Whether surgery suits you is a decision for a board-certified plastic surgeon.

CareCredit lists an average of $7,197 for an arm lift. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports an average of $6,192.

The gap is mostly a matter of scope. The ASPS number is the surgeon's fee only, and ASPS states that it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses. The full bill would be higher than that figure once those items are added.

Ask for an itemized quote so you can see each line:

• The surgeon's fee, the part the ASPS average represents.
• Anesthesia, which may be billed by a separate provider.
• The facility fee for the surgical center or hospital.
• Prescription medication after surgery.
• Compression garments and other supplies, plus follow-up visits that are not bundled in.

Practices handle this differently. Some give a single all-inclusive price, and others quote the surgeon's fee first. The all-in total is the right number for comparing offers.

Local prices differ from the national averages. Big metro areas generally cost more, and facility fees track local expenses. The best way to learn what you would pay locally is to request itemized quotes from board-certified plastic surgeons in your area, then compare them with the national figures above. Ask each practice whether the quote includes anesthesia and the facility, since those two lines often explain why one local price is far from another.

Different sources use different methods. The ASPS figure comes from annual statistics on the surgeon's fee. The CareCredit average describes a national price for the procedure and may count more of the bill. The extent of the procedure, the surgeon's experience, the facility, and the region may also move the price, so a published average is a starting point, not a prediction.

Insurance generally does not pay for cosmetic surgery. Because an arm lift is usually elective, most patients pay out of pocket. Coverage rules vary by plan and by circumstance, so ask your insurer in writing before you schedule, and ask the practice which procedure codes it would bill.

Common ways to pay include paying in full, a practice payment plan, and a medical credit card or loan. Read financing terms closely: promotional periods, deferred interest, and minimum monthly payments can add cost beyond the quote. IRS rules generally exclude purely cosmetic surgery from health savings and flexible spending accounts. A procedure done for a medical reason may qualify, so ask your plan administrator before you count on it.

• Is this the surgeon's fee only, or does it include anesthesia and the facility?
• Which charges come from providers other than the surgeon?
• Are garments, medications, and follow-up visits included?
• What deposit is required, and is it refundable if the date changes?
• What payment methods and financing do you accept?

Gather itemized quotes from at least two or three board-certified plastic surgeons and compare them line by line. Do not choose on price alone, and do not travel abroad for a lower price without first discussing the full picture with a qualified surgeon.