Michelle Obama Arm Procedure [VIDEO]: Thousands Go Under Knife to Get Muscular Arms Like First Lady [PHOTOS]
Plastic surgery to have upper arms like First Lady Michelle Obama has increased by over 4,300 percent, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Women increasingly want to have the muscular look on their arms and are going under the knife to achieve the look.
Procedures such as liposuction and brachioplasty, which is used to reshape the under portion of the arm, have increased substantially from just 300 women in 2000 to over 15,000 in 2012. Ninety-eight percent of those who opted for arm lift procedures or liposuction for the arms were women.
The statistics were reported in the 2012 Plastic Surgery Statistics report by the ASPS.
Some women opt for the procedure after they lose a huge amount of weight as a result of exercise or diet but are left with "batwing" arms.
In a press release, ASPS president DR. Gregory Evans said: "Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area."
According to ASPS, Michelle Obama's arms are the most desire arms. Second runner up is Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Biel's arms, followed by Demi Moore and Kelly Ripa.
Those who have arm lift procedures such as brachioplasty may end up with a visible scar from the elbow to the armpit, especially for those who have excess skin.
ASPS Public Education Committee Chair Dr. David Reath said brachioplasty is not a procedure to lose weight with and that the scar is permanent so "you have to make enough improvement to justify the scar."
Liposuction is recommended for those who just want to tone their arms.
Both liposuction and brachioplasty are not covered by insurance and can range from $6,000 to $12,000.