Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Cost in 2026
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Overview
- National average: $4,861 (range: $4,000–$8,000)
- Insurance: never — Arm lifts are considered cosmetic. May be covered after massive weight loss...
- Recovery: 7–21 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, reshapes the under portion of the upper arm. The procedure reduces excess skin and fat, tightening the underlying tissue. Many people seek this surgery after significant weight loss when skin has lost elasticity and hangs loosely.
The surgeon's fee accounts for the largest portion of the total cost. The extent of the correction needed significantly impacts this fee, as more complex cases require more time and expertise. The surgical facility also contributes, as some facilities have higher overhead than others.
Surgical facilities, especially hospitals, typically charge more than smaller surgery centers. Ask your surgeon if they can perform the brachioplasty in an accredited office-based surgical suite. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Cost Breakdown
Here's how the total cost of arm lift (brachioplasty) typically breaks down:
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by location. The map below shows how each state compares to the national average.
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi — $4,302 (-11.5%)
- West Virginia — $4,365 (-10.2%)
- Alabama — $4,399 (-9.5%)
- Arkansas — $4,433 (-8.8%)
- Missouri — $4,462 (-8.2%)
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii — $5,658 (+16.4%)
- California — $5,508 (+13.3%)
- New York — $5,483 (+12.8%)
- Massachusetts — $5,420 (+11.5%)
- District of Columbia — $5,371 (+10.5%)
Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Cost in All 50 States
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,399 | -9.5% | View AL |
| Alaska | $5,284 | +8.7% | View AK |
| Arizona | $4,900 | +0.8% | View AZ |
| Arkansas | $4,433 | -8.8% | View AR |
| California | $5,508 | +13.3% | View CA |
| Colorado | $5,114 | +5.2% | View CO |
| Connecticut | $5,337 | +9.8% | View CT |
| Delaware | $4,983 | +2.5% | View DE |
| District of Columbia | $5,371 | +10.5% | View DC |
| Florida | $4,876 | +0.3% | View FL |
| Georgia | $4,764 | -2.0% | View GA |
| Hawaii | $5,658 | +16.4% | View HI |
| Idaho | $4,725 | -2.8% | View ID |
| Illinois | $4,919 | +1.2% | View IL |
| Indiana | $4,657 | -4.2% | View IN |
| Iowa | $4,642 | -4.5% | View IA |
| Kansas | $4,608 | -5.2% | View KS |
| Kentucky | $4,487 | -7.7% | View KY |
| Louisiana | $4,530 | -6.8% | View LA |
| Maine | $5,046 | +3.8% | View ME |
| Maryland | $5,192 | +6.8% | View MD |
| Massachusetts | $5,420 | +11.5% | View MA |
| Michigan | $4,837 | -0.5% | View MI |
| Minnesota | $5,031 | +3.5% | View MN |
| Mississippi | $4,302 | -11.5% | View MS |
| Missouri | $4,462 | -8.2% | View MO |
| Montana | $4,739 | -2.5% | View MT |
| Nebraska | $4,691 | -3.5% | View NE |
| Nevada | $4,885 | +0.5% | View NV |
| New Hampshire | $5,128 | +5.5% | View NH |
| New Jersey | $5,323 | +9.5% | View NJ |
| New Mexico | $4,560 | -6.2% | View NM |
| New York | $5,483 | +12.8% | View NY |
| North Carolina | $4,803 | -1.2% | View NC |
| North Dakota | $4,628 | -4.8% | View ND |
| Ohio | $4,778 | -1.7% | View OH |
| Oklahoma | $4,511 | -7.2% | View OK |
| Oregon | $5,226 | +7.5% | View OR |
| Pennsylvania | $4,948 | +1.8% | View PA |
| Rhode Island | $5,094 | +4.8% | View RI |
| South Carolina | $4,545 | -6.5% | View SC |
| South Dakota | $4,705 | -3.2% | View SD |
| Tennessee | $4,579 | -5.8% | View TN |
| Texas | $4,676 | -3.8% | View TX |
| Utah | $4,822 | -0.8% | View UT |
| Vermont | $5,080 | +4.5% | View VT |
| Virginia | $5,017 | +3.2% | View VA |
| Washington | $5,211 | +7.2% | View WA |
| West Virginia | $4,365 | -10.2% | View WV |
| Wisconsin | $4,851 | -0.2% | View WI |
| Wyoming | $4,594 | -5.5% | View WY |
What Affects the Price of Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
- Geographic location — cost of living and regional price parities vary widely across states
- Surgeon's experience & credentials — board-certified specialists with extensive experience typically charge more
- Facility type — hospital-based procedures cost more than outpatient surgery centers or clinics
- Anesthesia requirements — general anesthesia costs more than local or sedation options
- Procedure complexity — minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) vs. open surgery affects cost and recovery
- Length of hospital stay — inpatient stays add room, nursing, and monitoring charges per day
- Pre-op testing & imaging — bloodwork, EKGs, MRIs, and other tests required before surgery
- Post-operative care — follow-up visits, physical therapy, and medications add to the total cost
- Insurance coverage — in-network vs. out-of-network, deductibles, and copays significantly impact out-of-pocket costs
Insurance & Financing for Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)
Arm lifts are considered cosmetic. May be covered after massive weight loss if causing functional issues.
Financing Options
- Payment plans — many surgeons and facilities offer interest-free monthly payment plans
- Medical credit cards — CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer promotional 0% APR periods
- HSA / FSA — if the procedure is medically necessary, you can use pre-tax health savings account funds
- Personal loans — medical personal loans from banks or online lenders can cover the full cost
- Hospital financial assistance — many hospitals offer charity care or sliding-scale discounts based on income
Recovery Timeline
Before your arm lift, you'll have a consultation with your surgeon to discuss your goals and medical history. They may order some blood tests and will advise you to stop taking certain medications like blood thinners. Be sure to arrange for a ride home after the procedure, as you won't be able to drive.
On the day of your brachioplasty, you'll likely receive general anesthesia, so you'll be asleep during the 1-2 hour surgery. The surgeon will make an incision, remove excess skin and fat, and then close the incision.
In the first 24-48 hours after surgery, expect some swelling and discomfort, managed with pain medication. You'll need to wear compression garments to minimize swelling and support the healing tissues. Full recovery takes 1-3 weeks. Plan to take time off work, especially if your job involves lifting or strenuous activity. Remember to schedule follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor your healing progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Compare Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) Cost in Every State
Click a state to see detailed arm lift (brachioplasty) pricing, top surgeons, and local cost factors.