Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgery in New York
Arm Liposuction in NYC
Upper-arm fat removal by Dr. Elliot Heller, MD, with J-Plasma skin tightening when needed.
Allure Plastic Surgery
Arm liposuction surgery, recovery and cost
- Treats: fat on the upper arms that diet and exercise do not move.
- Anesthesia: twilight sedation with local anesthetic in most cases.
- Technique: tumescent liposuction, with SmartLipo laser or J-Plasma skin tightening when the skin is mildly loose.
- Where: AAAHC-accredited surgical suite, with a board-certified anesthesiologist monitoring you throughout.
- Home: the same day, after 30 to 60 minutes of recovery.
- Compression sleeve: 3 to 6 weeks.
- Cost: liposuction at Allure runs from $1,500 for a small single area up to $9,500 for multiple larger areas. Your exact written quote comes at the consultation. Financing through Affirm, Cherry and CareCredit.
Overview
What arm liposuction removes
Arm liposuction removes the layer of fat between the armpit and the elbow that stays put no matter how much weight you lose or how often you train. Dr. Heller inserts a thin cannula through two or three small openings near the elbow and armpit, breaks up the fat and suctions it out, then shapes the arm so it tapers naturally into the shoulder. The fat cells removed do not grow back, though the cells that remain can still enlarge with weight gain. In Dr. Heller's words: “Yes, the fat will never come back in the areas where it was removed, provided the person maintains a reasonably healthy lifestyle.”
Is It Right For You
Arm liposuction or arm lift: which one do you need?
Liposuction removes fat. An arm lift in NYC (brachioplasty) removes skin. If you pinch the back of your arm and the skin snaps back, liposuction alone gives you a slimmer arm with no long scar. If the skin stays loose when you lift your arm, or you have lost a large amount of weight, fat removal alone leaves the skin hanging, and an arm lift, sometimes with liposuction in the same operation, is the right procedure.
For skin that is only mildly loose, Dr. Heller pairs liposuction with J-Plasma, which heats the underside of the skin to tighten it without the arm-lift scar. The skin-pinch test at your consultation decides this, and the surgeon tells you plainly which one you need.
Is arm liposuction worth it?
Dr. Heller: “Definitely. At Allure Plastic Surgery, we perform a great number of procedures and often combine it with the J-Plasma technique for skin tightening. The results are really extraordinary.” The procedure is worth it when the problem is fat, the skin has reasonable elasticity and your weight is stable. When the arm is mostly loose skin, an arm lift is the better choice.
Who is a good candidate for arm liposuction?
Adults at or near a stable weight, in good health, non-smokers, with fat on the upper arms and skin that still retracts. Patients with significant loose skin after weight loss or with age are better served by an arm lift. The consultation includes the skin-pinch elasticity check and a review of your medical history.
★★★★★
I had liposuction with Dr. Heller and the contour is exactly what I wanted. He removed the stubborn fat that never budged with diet or exercise, and it looks completely natural. The team made recovery easy.Marisa T., Google Review
The Procedure
How is arm liposuction done at Allure?
The procedure takes place in our AAAHC-accredited surgical facility. A board-certified anesthesiologist administers twilight sedation and monitors your vital signs continuously.
Dr. Heller infiltrates the arm with tumescent fluid, removes the fat with a fine cannula and, when the plan calls for it, adds SmartLipo laser energy (“With the new laser liposuction, contour irregularities are very rare,” he explains) or J-Plasma for tightening.
Incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures or surgical tape and a compression sleeve is fitted. You recover for 30 to 60 minutes, then go home with written instructions, prescriptions and an emergency contact.
Recovery
Arm liposuction recovery
Expect swelling and bruising for the first one to two weeks. The compression sleeve stays on for at least three to six weeks; it helps the skin heal tighter to the new contour and reduces swelling faster than heat or ice. Most liposuction patients are back at a desk job within days. Hold off on arm workouts and heavy lifting until your surgeon clears you. The arm looks slimmer as soon as the swelling starts to settle and keeps refining for several months.
Cost
How much does arm liposuction cost in NYC?
At Allure, liposuction runs from $1,500 for a small single area up to $9,500 for multiple larger areas, and the arms are usually a single area. The quote depends on the operating facility, the number of areas, the time involved and anesthesia. For the line-by-line breakdown and financing math, read our arm liposuction cost guide.
Your Surgeon
Meet your arm liposuction surgeon in NYC
Dr. Elliot Heller, MD, founded Allure Plastic Surgery and has more than 20 years of practice and well over 10,000 procedures. He trained at NYU and Mount Sinai and is a founding member of the American Academy of Aesthetic and Restorative Surgery. Dr. Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS, dual board-certified plastic surgeon and Castle Connolly Top Doctor, also performs body contouring at Allure. See the full liposuction in NYC page for every area we treat.
Our Offices
Arm liposuction at our Manhattan, Staten Island and Edison offices
Manhattan: 150 East 61st Street, Upper East Side, Monday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm, (212) 661-2563. Staten Island: 1424 Richmond Avenue, (718) 477-2020. Edison, NJ: 1150 Amboy Avenue, (866) 477-2023. Consultations are free, and you leave with a written, itemized quote.
Flexible Financing
Pay Over Time with Cherry, Affirm, or CareCredit
We work with Cherry, Affirm, and CareCredit so you can spread the cost of your procedure into manageable monthly payments. Approval usually takes minutes, and there is no penalty for paying off early.
Begin
Ready to talk about your goals?
Meet our team for a consultation in Manhattan, Staten Island, or Edison, NJ.
FAQ
Common Questions About Arm Liposuction
Does fat come back after arm liposuction?
No. The fat cells removed are gone. If you gain a significant amount of weight later, remaining cells elsewhere enlarge, so the result holds best with a reasonably healthy lifestyle.
Can arm liposuction tighten loose skin?
Only mildly loose skin. Liposuction removes fat, and the skin then has to retract on its own. For mild laxity Dr. Heller adds J-Plasma to tighten from underneath. For skin that hangs, an arm lift is the honest answer.
Can I have arm liposuction with other areas in the same surgery?
Yes. Many patients combine the arms with the back or flanks. Dr. Heller removes fat within safety guidelines, rarely more than four to five liters in one session, with adequate hydration and medication.
What anesthesia is used for arm liposuction?
Twilight sedation with local anesthetic in most cases: deep relaxation, a faster recovery and fewer side effects than general anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist administers it and monitors you throughout.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.