An arm lift costs about $6,000 to $12,000 in 2026
An arm lift, also called brachioplasty, costs about $6,000 to $12,000 in 2026 once every fee is added. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average surgeon fee alone at $6,192. Anesthesia, the operating room and follow up visits come on top. Insurance usually does not pay.
What an arm lift costs
| Surgeon fee, ASPS average | $6,192 |
|---|---|
| Total, most patients | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Total, one Florida practice | $6,000 to $9,000 |
| Seattle, all in | $9,000 to $12,500 |
| One Seattle practice, all in | From $8,995 |
| Adding liposuction | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Hospital instead of a surgery center | $1,000 to $3,000 more |
The ASPS number is only the surgeon fee. It does not include anesthesia, the operating room or other costs, so your real bill will be higher. Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, arm lift cost (checked September 2026); Coastal Cosmetic Center, how much does an arm lift cost (September 2026); Seattle Plastic Surgery, arm lift cost in Seattle (June 2026); How Much Surgery Cost, arm lift surgery cost (February 2026).
What changes your price
- How much skin comes off. A mini arm lift near the armpit costs less than a full lift to the elbow.
- Liposuction. Adding it costs about $1,500 to $3,000 more.
- Where it is done. A hospital costs more than a surgery center.
- Your surgeon. Surgeons who do many arm lifts often charge more.
- Your city. The Northeast and big coastal cities cost the most.
- Other areas done at the same time. Adding a tummy tuck or other lift raises the total.
Why arm lift prices look so different
Many price lists show only the surgeon fee. The ASPS average of $6,192 is one of these. Coastal Cosmetic Center says a more real total, with anesthesia and the facility, is about $6,000 to $9,000.
City prices run higher. Seattle Plastic Surgery puts arm lifts in Seattle at $9,000 to $12,500 in total, and lists its own starting price of $8,995 with the surgeon, anesthesia and facility included. Plastic Surgery Group of New Jersey says New Jersey often runs about 9.5 percent above the national average, and New York City 12.8 percent or more.
More people get arm lifts after big weight loss. How Much Surgery Cost reports that ASPS counts a very large rise in arm lifts since 2000. The same guide says a hospital can add $1,000 to $3,000 in facility fees compared with an outpatient surgery center, which is one of the easiest places to save. Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, arm lift cost (checked September 2026); Coastal Cosmetic Center, how much does an arm lift cost (September 2026); Seattle Plastic Surgery, arm lift cost in Seattle (June 2026); Plastic Surgery Group of New Jersey, arm lift surgery cost (April 2026); How Much Surgery Cost, arm lift surgery cost (February 2026).
Arm lift compared with other body surgery
Many people get an arm lift after big weight loss, along with other lifts. See our tummy tuck and breast lift pages to compare prices. A mommy makeover joins several of these in one surgery.
If you have extra fat but little loose skin, liposuction alone may be enough. Our Sono Bello page shows what one lipo chain charges.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask for one total with the surgeon, anesthesia, facility and follow up visits.
- Ask if the price is for a mini lift or a full lift.
- Ask if liposuction is included.
- Check that the surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery.
- Compare with $6,000 to $12,000 in total.
Ways to pay less
- Ask if the surgery can be done at a surgery center instead of a hospital.
- Ask about paying in cash up front. Some offices give a discount.
- Ask about payment plans or medical credit.
- If loose skin causes rashes or other health problems after weight loss, ask your insurer if it may cover part of it.
- Combine areas in one surgery if you plan more than one. One trip to the operating room can cost less than two.
How we got these numbers
Surgeons set their own prices. The surgeon fee comes from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The totals come from 2026 surgeon pages and cost guides, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does an arm lift cost?
About $6,000 to $12,000 in 2026 with all fees. The ASPS average surgeon fee alone is $6,192.
Does insurance cover an arm lift?
Usually not, because it is cosmetic. It may be covered after big weight loss if loose skin causes health problems.
How much is a mini arm lift?
Less than a full lift, because the cut is shorter and less skin comes off. Ask your surgeon for a total.
How much does it cost to add liposuction to an arm lift?
About $1,500 to $3,000 more.